Staging of late larval developmental stages of the microhylid frog, Microhyla nepenthicola (Anura: Microhylidae) (original) (raw)
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Current herpetology, 2003
Developmental changes in external morphological characters were examined for the whole embryonic-larval period of Microhyla ornata from Okinawajima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. By considering the extent of morphological changes observed and compatibility with standard developmental tables hitherto proposed for other anuran groups, a developmental table consisting of 45 developmental stages was proposed for this species. Eight developmental terms, each consisting of several successive stages, were also defined-Cleavage-Blastula [stages 1-10], Gastrula [stages 11-14], Neurula [stages 15-18], Tail bud [stages 19-21], External gill [stages 22-28], Hind limb bud [stages 29-33], Hind limb formation [stages 34-41], and Metamorphosis [stages 42 -45]). From previously described conspecific samples from other localities, our sample exhibited appreciable differences in the egg diameter, timing of pigmentaion at the position of the stomodium, and a few other tadpole characters.
Vertebrate Zoology
We compare reproductive features, development, and larval morphology in three closely related species of sticky frogs (Kalophrynus Tschudi, 1838) inhabiting the lowland and mountain forests of Vietnam and displaying a variety of reproductive modes. While K. interlineatus breeds in open temporary ponds, K. honbaensis and K. cryptophonus are phytotelm-breeders using tree hollows and bamboo stems for reproduction. Their tadpoles also differ in trophic specialization: larval K. interlineatus are typical suspension-feeders, whereas K. honbaensis and K. cryptophonus are obligatorily oophagous. All three species differ in egg and clutch sizes, duration of embryonal period and hatching stage, and the structure of the larval digestive tract and skeleton. Based on external and internal morphology, we conclude that tadpoles of K. interlineatus and K. cryptophonus represent two “extremes” of the adaptive spectrum of microhylid larvae, while K. honbaensis displays a set of transitory traits. Rel...
Morphology and ecology of tadpoles of Ramanella obscura (Anura: Microhylidae)
Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences), 2012
External, buccal and chondrocranial morphology, bone development and ecology of the tadpoles of Ramanella obscura, a narrow-mouthed frog species endemic to Sri Lanka is described. The tadpoles have a dorsoventrally flattend body, keratinous ridge on lower lip, a postnarial ridge that extends anteriorly between narial papillae and an expanded fenestrated sheet of cartilage associated with the larval otic process and processus lateralis posterior. But they do not possess a medial preglottal papilla in ventral buccal floor as in Microhyla. At Gosner stage 25, there is no bone development; but by stage 35, exoccipitals, parasphenoid, frontoparietals and prootics are developed. By stage 40, in addition to the bones at stage 35, nasals are formed. The tadpoles are tree-hole or small-ground-pool dwellers that feed on particulate matter and infusoria both in the substratum and the water column, for which they have morphological adaptations. No other anuran tadpoles were observed in syntopy with R. obscura tadpoles.
Remodeling of the intestine during metamorphosis of Microhyla berdmorei (Anura: Microhylidae)
International Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 2012
Remodeling of the intestine of a microhylid frog, Microhyla berdmorei along with changes in diets between larval stages and adult stage was studied for the first time from pre-metamorphic to metamorphic climax. Elongation of the intestine from Gosner stage 25 to stage 40 significantly correlated with the elongation of the larval body. From stage 40 to stage 46, the lengths of tadpole and intestine abruptly reduced, showing perfect negative correlation between Gosner stage with that of total body length and gut length. Whereas Gosner stages 25 to 46 revealed non-significant relationship with total tadpole length and gut length. Within 10 – 17 days (during spontaneous metamorphosis), reduction of the length of Microhyla berdmorei tadpole intestine (from Gosner stage 40 – stage 46) by about 82% was observed. Light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies showed that the primary epithelium (PE) of the larval intestine was replaced by the secondary epithelium (SE) ...
Zootaxa, 2018
The Painted Rice Frog, Microhyla picta Schenkel, is one of the least studied species among narrow-mouthed frogs of the genus Microhyla. To date it is known only from Vietnam, where it is distributed mostly in eastern coastal areas in central and southern parts of the country (Nguyen et al. 2009; Nguyen Hoang 2013). The species was also found in Con Dao archipelago (Poyarkov Vassilieva 2011). No data are available on the ecology and reproductive biology of the species, and its larval morphology is also not described. Microhyla frogs are widespread and numerous in terrestrial ecosystems and microhylid tadpoles are known to play an important role in the aquatic communities of temporary waterbodies of monsoon ecosystems in Southeast Asia (Heyer 1973; Vassilieva et al. 2017). The ability to identify microhylid tadpoles in the field is pertinent for biodiversity and ecological studies. We provide a description of larvae of M. picta from various areas in southern Vietnam.
Dziminski, M. A. and Anstis, M Embryonic and larval development of the Sunset Frog
Copeia, 2004
The eggs, embryos, and tadpoles of Spicospina flammocaerulea are described. The free-swimming tadpole has a distinctive body form among described Australian genera but shares morphological similarities with the myobatrachid genera Taudactylus and Uperoleia. The egg capsules have an unusual semiopaque outer envelope that is similar to a firm gelatinous envelope present on egg capsules of some species of Uperoleia. The embryos are unique among described Australian genera in that they do not develop visible adhesive organs. Spicospina and Taudactylus and some Uperoleia larvae share a narial flap. Both Spicospina and Uperoleia have large nares that open in a dorsal direction. Larvae of S. flammocaerulea can be readily distinguished from other sympatric species by a combination of features of the oral disc and nares, position of the spiracle and eyes, and the low tail fins.
Morphology and ecology of Microhyla rubra (Anura: Microhylidae) tadpoles from Sri Lanka
The life-history, ecology, external and buccal morphology of Microhyla rubra (Jerdon, 1854) tadpoles are described. Approximately 400 eggs, ready to hatch, were observed as a single mass and several of these were reared in laboratory. Tadpoles showed several characters that are not seen in most other microhylids: a whip-like tail-end flagellum, a dorsoterminal mouth, a transparent body, absence of flaps and existence of a median notch on upper lip, presence of papillae (or scallops) on lower lip, and a deep ventral tail fin (compared to the dorsal tail fin). Microhyla rubra tadpoles also have several features, so far not noted in other microhylids: six papillae (or scallops) on lower oral flap, a crescent-shaped spiracular opening, and an enlarged crest on ventral tail fin. For some characters, such as shape of the oral flaps, we show that there is considerable variation within and between Gosner stages. This species deposits its eggs as rafts in ephemeral pools where water chemistry (bound ammonia, salinity, conductivity, pH, sulphate ion concentration) and temperature are apparently favorable for rapid growth, reducing the risk of predation from fully aquatic predators. Since oxygen concentrations in these habitats are low and free ammonia concentrations are moderately high, occupying surface layers of pools would enable the eggs and tadpoles to overcome these impediments to growth and survival.
Morphology and metamorphosis ofEupsophus calcaratus tadpoles (anura: Leptodactylidae)
Journal of Morphology, 2005
Eupsophus calcaratus, a leptodactyloid frog from the austral Andean forests of Argentina and Chile, has endotrophic, nidicolous tadpoles. We studied a metamorphic series from Stages 31 to 46 of Gosner's developmental table (1960). Other than the scarce pigmentation, proportionately large eyes, and massive developing hindlimbs, the remaining external characters are similar to those of generalized, exotrophic larvae. At the same time, internal morphology does not reveal any character state attributable to the endotrophic-nidicolous way of life; conversely, structures such as the hyobranchial skeleton and the mandibular cartilages are similar to those of exotrophic-macrophagous tadpoles. The metamorphic process is characterized by the delayed development of diverse structures (e.g., ethmoid region, palatoquadrate, and hyobranchial apparatus), and the retention of some larval characters (e.g., parietal fenestrae, overall absence of ossification) with the absence of development of some "juvenile" characters (e.g., adult otic process, several bones) in metamorphosed individuals. These heterochronic processes and truncation of larval development are related to a shorter larval life (when compared to other species of the austral Andean region) and to the small size at metamorphosis.