Morphology of lentic and lotic tadpoles from Madagascar

Jörn Laudor,Arne Schulze,Michael Veith,Ortwin Elle,Bruno Viertel,Stefan Lötters

doi:10.1186/s40850-021-00091-9

Jörn Laudor, Arne Schulze + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-021-00091-9

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Journal: BMC Zoology	Publication Date: Sep 13, 2021
Citations: 1	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, University of Trier

Abstract

BackgroundThe morphology of anuran larvae is suggested to differ between species with tadpoles living in standing (lentic) and running (lotic) waters. To explore which character combinations within the general tadpole morphospace are associated with these habitats, we studied categorical and metric larval data of 123 (one third of which from lotic environments) Madagascan anurans.ResultsUsing univariate and multivariate statistics, we found that certain combinations of fin height, body musculature and eye size prevail either in larvae from lentic or lotic environments.ConclusionEvidence for adaptation to lotic conditions in larvae of Madagascan anurans is presented. While lentic tadpoles typically show narrow to moderate oral discs, small to medium sized eyes, convex or moderately low fins and non-robust tail muscles, tadpoles from lotic environments typically show moderate to broad oral discs, medium to big sized eyes, low fins and a robust tail muscle.

Highlights

The morphology of anuran larvae is suggested to differ between species with tadpoles living in standing and running waters
Characters of lentic versus lotic life Based on univariate comparisons, we find significant differences between lentic and lotic larvae of Madagascan anuran species for oral disc position, oral disc width, ventral and dorsal jaw sheaths, marginal papillae, eye size, tail muscle and fin shape
Since PC1 is mainly explained by oral structures, we propose that this pattern within Principal Component (PC) dimensions does not discriminate lentic versus lotic tadpoles per se

Summary

Introduction

The morphology of anuran larvae is suggested to differ between species with tadpoles living in standing (lentic) and running (lotic) waters. It is assumed that this has favoured the extensive anuran radiation [4], with almost 7400 species known today, markedly exceeding the number of species in the two other amphibian orders (Gymnophiona, Urodela) with less specialized larvae [5, 6]. Most anurans deposit their eggs in ephemeral or perennial lentic waters [6, 7].

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