Abstract
ABSTRACT One of the main hindrances to frog farming is the lack of knowledge of the nutritional requirements of tadpoles that allow nutritionists to formulate the ideal diet for this phase, reducing operational costs and providing homogeneity to the shoal. This study aimed at evaluating the anatomy of the digestive tract and morphometry of the midgut and hindgut of bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) tadpoles to provide subsidies for nutritionists to make adjustments in the balancing of suitable diets for this species. The population of tadpoles that received the dietary regimen named DR3, which consisted of a fortnight increase of the dietary protein levels (from 32 to 45% of CP) for 60 days, showed the best results regarding weight gain, survival rate, and homogeneity in the passage of the larval stages as compared with the other dietary regimens tested. Additionally, the morphometry of the intestines of the animals subjected to DR3 showed a greater length (419.2 mm) and higher caliber of the midgut portion where most of the nutrient absorption takes place. It can thus be inferred that this fact is related to the height of the absorptive intestinal folds resulting from the supply of a diet with better quality, confirmed by the weight of the juveniles.
Highlights
Relationships between dietary regimen and the characteristics of the digestive tract have been studied in other animal groups, for which technology has already reached more-advanced stages, which has led to the development of a suitable diet for the requirements necessary for better nutritional performance
The present study aimed to evaluate the anatomy of the digestive tract and the morphometry of the midgut and hindgut of bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus), as well as the productive performance of these animals so as to provide subsidies for nutritionists to make the necessary adjustments in production and balancing of proper diets for this species
The tadpoles subjected to the dietary regimen DR5 showed the highest average weight at 60 days (Table 3)
Summary
Given the significant diversity of the existing frog species and the many aspects involving them, numerous differences of structural, anatomical, and histological nature are observed in their digestive system.Based on the increase in the commercial farming of some species of these amphibians, especially the bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), formerly known as Rana catesbeiana, Shaw 1082 (Frost et al, 2006), several studies have been proposed seeking to determine their nutritional requirements.Raising tadpoles ― the strictly aquatic period of frog farming ― is the basis for obtaining good results from the activity, in which great losses, and/or low animal performance are recorded, usually with likely signs of malnutrition. Albinati and Lima (1994a) commented that the main problem in raising Lithobates catesbeianus is related to the composition of a proper nutritional diet, especially concerning the protein index, given the lack of knowledge of its nutritional requirements.Relationships between dietary regimen and the characteristics of the digestive tract have been studied in other animal groups, for which technology has already reached more-advanced stages, which has led to the development of a suitable diet for the requirements necessary for better nutritional performance.frog nutrition, especially in their first stage of life, is far from having established requirement standards that could be used by nutritionists, and this hinders the expansion of frog farming. Based on the increase in the commercial farming of some species of these amphibians, especially the bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), formerly known as Rana catesbeiana, Shaw 1082 (Frost et al, 2006), several studies have been proposed seeking to determine their nutritional requirements. Relationships between dietary regimen and the characteristics of the digestive tract have been studied in other animal groups, for which technology has already reached more-advanced stages, which has led to the development of a suitable diet for the requirements necessary for better nutritional performance. To develop a diet better suited to the nutritional requirements of tadpoles, further studies should be carried out on the morpho-physiology of their digestive tract as well as their anatomical characteristics, correlating them with their habitat and feeding habits
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
