Ultrastructure of putative migrating cells in the cerebral cortex of Lacerta galloti

Cells considered to be migratory in the cerebral cortex of adult lizards are ultrastructurally of two types. Nuclei in the first type have highly dispersed chromatin, creating a spongy appearance, whereas in the second type the chromatin is irregularly clumped. Both types of cells are closely associated with processes of radial ependymal glia cells, which perhaps orient their migratory pathways. Cells with spongy chromatin show an increase in cytoplasmic organelles and progressive chromatin condensation as they travel from the ependymal layer to the granular layer. Possibly these cells account for the neuronal increase that takes place in the granular layer during postnatal life. Cells with chromatin clumps are very scarce; ultrastructurally they resemble immature reptilian astroglia cells.