Internal Oral Features Research Articles

Molecular identification and morphological description of Theloderma albopunctatum tadpoles from the Phu Khiao-Nam Nao Forest Complex, northeastern Thailand

Abstract. Chunskul J, Thongproh P, Simmasian W, Arkajag J, Tongpun S, Kanishthajata P, Prompalad S, Duangjai S, Duengkae P, Phochayavanich R, Chuaynkern C, Chuaynkern Y. 2021. Molecular identification and morphological description of Theloderma albopunctatum tadpoles from the Phu Khiao-Nam Nao Forest Complex, northeastern Thailand. Biodiversitas 22: 5145-5161. Presently, tadpole description of an external morphology and internal oral features of Theloderma albopunctatum (Anura, Rhacophoridae) is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to describe tadpoles of T. albopunctatum from the Phu Khiao-Nam Nao Forest Complex in northeastern Thailand based molecular and morphological characters. Tadpole identification was based on molecular analyses. The 16S and COI sequences of the T. albopunctutatum tadpole had a genetic distance of 0% and 0.15% with the adults from Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary and Nam Nao National Park, respectively. Bayesian inference analyses of 16S, 16S+COI, and BDNF + SIA + RHO + TYR strongly supported the identity of tadpole and adults T. albopunctatum tadpoles are of medium size, with a black to ashy gray body that turns dark brown in preservative, they also exhibit elliptical body depressions and follow the keratodont row formula 1:2+2/1+1:2 or 1:1+1/1+1:1. T. albopunctatum tadpoles are generally similar to T. asperum.

The Tadpoles and Advertisement Call of Trachycephalus imitatrix and T. dibernardoi (Anura: Hylidae)

Herein, we describe the external larval morphology, internal oral features, and chondrocranium of Trachycephalus imitatrix and Trachycephalus dibernardoi and the advertisement call of T. imitatrix. To our knowledge, this is the first thorough description of the larval chondrocranium for the genus Trachycephalus. The tadpole of T. imitatrix is overall similar to the other congeneric species, but can be distinguished from them by the following combination of characteristics: presence of two folds in the posterior labium, clumped submarginal papillae, tail ending in a flagellum, buccal roof arena lacking papillae, and seven postnarial papillae. The tadpole of T. dibernardoi can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characteristics: snout rounded in lateral view, absence of interruption in teeth rows, uniseriate and alternated row of marginal papillae, two pairs of infralabial papillae, and absence of projection of the dorsal velum. The advertisement call of T. imitatrix is very similar to that of Trachycephalus nigromaculatus, but can be distinguished from it by its lower dominant frequency. Additionally, both spectral and temporal features of the call can distinguish T. imitatrix from other congeneric species. Our results help understand the differentiation of larval and acoustical characteristics within the genus Trachycephalus.

The Larva and Advertisement Call of Bokermannohyla ahenea (Anura: Hylidae)

Bokermannohyla ahenea is endemic to the Serra da Bocaina, a portion of the Serra do Mar in the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil. Little information is currently available about this species. Herein, we describe the larval morphology of B. ahenea, including internal oral features, chondrocranium, and hyobranchial apparatus, along with its advertisement call and natural history notes. This is the first description of the chondrocranium and hyobranchial apparatus for a member of the genus Bokermannohyla. The larval external morphology of B. ahenea is similar to those of other species of the B. circumdata group, but it can be distinguished from those of other species of the genus by its oral apparatus. The advertisement call of B. ahenea is complex with many numbers of notes. Also, spectral and temporal parameters of the advertisement call can be used to distinguish B. ahenea from its congeners.

External Morphology and Internal Oral Features of the Tadpole of Crossodactylus caramaschii (Anura: Hylodidae)

We describe the larval external morphology and internal oral features of Crossodactylus caramaschii sampled in protected areas of the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. The tadpoles of C. caramaschii (Gosner stage 38) have an ovoid body in dorsal view and globular in lateral view, dorsal eyes, a ventral oral disc bordered by a single row of marginal papillae, with a wide gap on the anterior labium, and few and scattered submarginal papillae. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1), with A-1 shorter than A-2, and P-3 shorter than P-1 and P-2. This is the first description of the larval morphology of this species and may help future studies on the intrageneric relationships of Crossodactylus.

The Tadpole of Scinax constrictus Lima, Bastos & Giaretta, 2004 (Amphibia, Hylidae)

Abstract Scinax constrictus is the only species in the Scinax rostratus group endemic to the Cerrado in Brazil. Here, we describe the external morphology and internal oral features of the S. constr...

Tadpole ofProceratophrys mantiqueira(Anura: Odontophrynidae), with a Description of Its Internal Oral Features

We describe the larval external morphology and internal oral features of Proceratophrys mantiqueira from its type locality and provide novel natural history information for adults. The tadpoles of P. mantiqueira (Stage 37) exhibit a depressed body with low tail fins, eyes positioned dorsally, and a ventral oral disc bordered by a single row of marginal papillae, with a wide gap on the anterior labium; a few submarginal papillae may be present. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1). The shape and amount of papillae in the buccal floor, especially the infralabial and lingual papillae, can distinguish the tadpole of P. mantiqueira from other congeners. Our results add important new data about the larval morphology of this species and may help future studies on the intrageneric relationships of Proceratophrys.

The tadpoles of two species of the Bokermannohyla circumdata group (Hylidae, Cophomantini).

We describe the external morphology and oral cavity of the tadpoles of Bokermannohyla caramaschii and B. diamantina respectively from the states of Espírito Santo and Bahia, Brazil. Larvae of both species are distinguished from each other by external characters such as body shape, labial tooth-row formula, number of marginal papillae, coloration and internal oral anatomy features. Some of the character states of the tadpoles of B. caramaschii and B. diamantina that are shared with all other described tadpoles of the Bokermannohyla circumdata group, such as the absence/reduction of small flaps with accessory labial teeth laterally in the oral disc, and the absence/reduction of submarginal papillae, may represent morphological synapomorphies of this species group, or at least of some internal clade. The general pattern of brownish coloration with longitudinal stripes on the caudal muscle is also common to most species of the group. We did not find character states of the oral cavity that are exclusively shared by species of the B. circumdata group, or by other groups of Bokermannohyla.

The Larva ofCrossodactylus aeneusMüller, 1924: Morphology and Ecological Aspects

Presently, only 6 out of 14 species in the frog genus Crossodactylus have had their larvae described. Regarding internal oral morphology, only C. dispar, C. gaudichaudii, and C. trachystomus have had tadpoles described. Furthermore, the osteology of C. gaudichaudii was briefly studied and constitutes the unique reference to the subject within the genus. Here, we describe the tadpole of C. aeneus, including its osteology and internal oral anatomy features, an endemic species of the Atlantic forest biome of Brazil. We also provide data from nature on their microhabitat use and abundance variation throughout the year in the streams at the study site. The external morphology of C. aeneus tadpoles is different from all of Crossodactylus spp. tadpoles described, except for C. gaudichaudii, the adult of which is also morphologically similar to C. aeneus. The osteology of C. aeneus tadpoles is similar to that of Hylodes ornatus (the single species of Hylodidae that has had its chondrocranium described) but the pair of adrostral cartilages present in the chondrocranium of H. ornatus is absent in C. aeneus and the pair of processus muscularis of H. ornatus is comparatively more developed than that of C. aeneus. The overall aspect of the oral internal morphology of C. aeneus is more similar to that of C. gaudichaudii than to other Crossodactylus species described in the literature. Our field data showed that tadpoles of C. aeneus are benthic, and that the most frequently used microhabitats were mud, sand, sand with vegetation, and mud with vegetation, all most frequently in the shallow parts of streams. At the study site in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, they were more abundant (in all stages of development) during the driest period of the year.Até o momento, apenas 6 de 14 espécies do gênero Crossodactylus tiveram suas larvas descritas. Quanto a morfologia oral interna, somente C. dispar, C. gaudichaudii, e C. tarchystomus tiveram essas características descritas. Além disso, a osteologia de C. gaudichaudii foi estudada superficialmente e é a única referência para o gênero. Neste estudo, nós descrevemos o girinos de C. aeneus, incluindo características da sua osteologia e morfologia oral interna, uma espécie endêmica da Floresta Atlântica, Brasil. Nós também apresentamos resultados sobre o uso do microhabitat e a variação na abundância dos girinos ao longo do ano em riachos da área de estudo. A morfologia oral externa dos girinos de C. aeneus difere das demais espécies do mesmo gênero, exceto de C. gaudichaudii, cujo adulto também é morfologicamente similar a C. aeneus. A osteologia dos girinos de C. aeneus é similar a de Hylodes ornatus (a única espécie de Hylodes que possui o condrocrânio descrito), porém o par de processus muscularis de H. ornatus é comparativamente mais desenvolvido do que de C. aeneus. O aspecto geral da morfologia oral interna de C. aeneus é mais similar a de C. gaudichaudii do que outras espécies do gênero. Nossos resultados de campo mostram que os girinos de C. aeneus são bentônicos e que utilizam mais frequentemente como microhabitats lodo, areia, areia com vegetação e lodo com vegetação, todos predominantemente nas partes mais rasas dos riachos. Ainda, os girinos foram mais abundantes (em todos os estágios de desenvolvimento, durante o período mais seco do ano.

The tadpole of Proceratophrys izecksohni (Amphibia: Anura: Odontophrynidae)

We describe the external morphology of the tadpole of Proceratophrys izecksohni Dias, Amaro, Carvalho-e-Silva & Rodrigues, 2013, its internal oral features, and chondrocranial anatomy, based on specimens collected at the type locality. The tadpole has short and oval body, spiracle with inner wall fused to the body, and oral formula 2/3(1). The oral cavity of P. izecksohni is typical of stream-dwelling tadpoles, with several papillae and pustulations. The chondrocranium is longer than wide and the suprarostral corpora are free ventromedially. The palatoquadrate has a well developed processus pseudopterygoideus. We also compare the tadpole of P. izecksohni with tadpoles those of other species of the genus, emphasizing the usage of larval morphology to assist in the systematic of the genus.

Larvae ofProceratophrys melanopogon(Amphibia: Anura), with Emphasis on Internal Oral Morphology and Comparisons withP. cururuandP. moratoi

Abstract: We provide novel data on the biology of Proceratophrys melanopogon and describe its larval external morphology and internal oral features on the basis of specimens from the Serra do Mar, southeastern Brazil. We also review the larval internal oral features of the genus, including descriptions and comparisons with P. cururu and P. moratoi. The external morphology of tadpoles of P. melanopogon is very similar to that of closely related species. The internal oral features are very conserved in this genus, with the majority of species having lingual papillae unusually bifurcated, four infralabial papillae, and a transverse ridge on the prenarial arena. Our results also provide data for phylogenetic studies on the genus Proceratophrys.

External morphology, chondrocranium, hyobranchial skeleton, and external and internal oral features of <i>Rhinoderma rufum</i> (Anura, Rhinodermatidae)

The species of Rhinoderma Duméril & Bibron are endemic to the temperate forests of South America in southern Chile and Argentina (Formas et al. 1975). Both have specialized reproductive modes, Rhinoderma darwinii Duméril & Bibron undergoes complete embryonic and larval development in the mouth of the male: newly metamorphosed frogs are expelled into the terrestrial environment (Jorquera et al. 1972). In contrast, embryos of R. rufum (Philippi) do not remain in the male's mouth, but instead are expelled into the water as larvae (Jorquera et al. 1974). Jorquera et al. (1972, 1974) described the normal development of both species. The chondrocranial morphology and visceral skeleton of R. darwinii was described by Lavilla (1987) and its internal oral features by Wassersug & Heyer (1988). The table of normal development of R. rufum (Jorquera et al. 1974) emphasized the duration of each stage of development: however, some features currently used for comparative purposes in tadpole morphological studies were not included or described only briefly. In this work, I include a detailed description of the morphology, particularly of the mouthparts, of the tadpoles of R. rufum, and describe the chondrocranium, hyobranchial skeleton, and the internal features of the oral cavity in this species. In addition, I compare the morphology of the mouth, chondrocranium, and hyobranchial skeleton of the congeneric tadpoles, considering different modes of feeding (endotrophic in R. darwinii versus exotrophic in R. rufum). Last, I present some thoughts about the evolution of larvae of Rhinoderma.

A survey of the internal oral features and external morphology of Physalaemus larvae (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

A survey of the internal oral features and external morphology of Physalaemus larvae (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

Description of the Tadpole ofHylodes magalhaesi(Bokermann, 1964) (Anura: Hylodidae)

Abstract We describe the external morphology and internal oral features of tadpoles of the torrent frog Hylodes magalhaesi from its type locality in southeastern Brazil. The tadpole can be distinguished from others of the genus mainly by the size of marginal papillae gap, the number and distribution of marginal papillae rows, and the number of submarginal papillae. The internal oral features of H. magalhaesi are similar to Hylodes charadranaetes; however H. magalhaesi can be distinguished from other species by the number and shape of buccal floor arena papillae and by the number of the prepocket papillae.

Redescription of Physalaemus barrioi (Anura: Leiuperidae)

Physalaemus barrioi is a poorly known frog endemic to the highlands of Serra da Bocaina in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Herein, we redescribe the species based on the type series and new specimens collected at the type locality. We also present additional data on its vocalization, karyotype, and tadpole, including the external morphology, internal oral features, and chondrocranium. Physalaemus barrioi can be diagnosed by the following combination of characters: SVL in males larger than 24 mm; inguinal glands associated with dark ocelli; throat and vocal sac dark brown; and chest dark with small light blotches. Bioacoustical characteristics also distinguish P. barrioi from all other species of Physalaemus. The tadpole of P. barrioi is very similar to those of the P. gracilis group, from which it can be distinguished by several characteristics, including marginal papillae in a single row, absence of submarginal papillae, elliptical nares, and upper jaw sheath in a wide arch.

A survey of the internal oral features and external morphology of Physalaemus larvae (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

There are 45 species currently described for the genus Physalaemus that are allocated into seven morphological groupsand 29 of them have their tadpoles described, of which 12 have information on their internal oral anatomy. In order to helpresolving taxonomic and systematic problems, tadpoles from this genus had their external and internal oral morphologiesstudied, described and compared. During this study, it was noticed that different terms are sometimes used to refer to thesame character and a standardized nomenclature is suggested. This study is divided into two parts. First, we describe theoral cavity anatomy of the tadpoles of Physalaemus aguirrei, P. atlanticus, P. camacan, P. cicada, P. gracilis, P. irroratus,P. maximus, P. rupestris, P. signifer and P. soaresi. Second, we present a comparison among tadpoles of these ten speciesplus the tadpoles of P. albifrons, P. angrensis, P. centralis, P. crombiei, P. cuvieri, P. henselii, P. jordanensis, P. marmora-tus, P. moreirae and P. spiniger. This study adds information on tadpoles of the genus Physalaemus that corroborates someof the species groups proposed for adult specimens, but also shows that although they have a typical pond-living externalmorphology, being very similar to one another, the oral disc and the internal oral morphologies present many features with interspecific variation that may be used to identify the specimens.

The Tadpole of Physalaemus moreirae (Anura: Leiuperidae)

Abstract We describe the external morphology of the tadpole of the frog Physalaemus moreirae. We also provide a review of internal oral features, chondrocrania, and a characterization of the genus based on larval traits. The internal oral features and the external morphology of P. moreirae are most similar to P. jordanensis, a species allocated to the P. gracilis group. None of the larval traits supports the current intrageneric arrangement of species, because several features are shared by species belonging to different species groups. We argue for the inclusion of larval traits in future phylogenetic studies in order to understand the evolution of larval characters.

The tadpole of the hylid frog Scinax belloni (Anura: Hylidae)

Scinax perpusillus group is composed by11 species. Only Scinax arduous, Scinax littoreus, Scinax. meloi, S. perpusillus, S. tupinamba, and S. v-signatus, have its tadpole described. Herein we described the tadpole of Scinax belloni and its internal oral features. Tadpoles of S. belloni were collected in bromeliads at the Parque Estadual do Forno Grande, municipality of Castelo, Espírito Santo, southeastern. Two tadpoles were reared to froglets in order to allow specific identification. The morphology of S. belloni tadpoles resemble the other known larvae in many aspects such as oval body in dorsal view, coloration, rounded snout in dorsal view, dorsolateral eyes, anteroventral mouth and labial tooth row formula 2(2)/3. In fact, at first sight, all known tadpoles are very similar from each other. Nevertheless, they do can be distinguished by some characters as the shape of lower jaw; number of row of labial papillae; the size of the fins; height of tail and the body; whether musculature of tail reaches its tip and if tail ends rounded or pointed. S. belloni tadpoles are readily differentiated from the other known Scinax gr. perpusillus species tadpoles by the presence of a dark band that goes along the dorsal and ventral fin. The internal oral morphology of S. belloni is also described.

The Tadpole ofPhyllomedusa itacolomi(Anura, Hylidae), with a Description of the Internal Oral Morphology

We describe the external morphology and the internal oral features of the tadpole of Phyllomedusa itacolomi (Anura, Hylidae) from Serra de Ouro Branco, Municipality of Ouro Branco, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Tadpoles were found at mid water in a temporary pool, in an open montane meadow. Phyllomedusa itacolomi (Gosner's stage 37) is characterized by a tooth row formula 2(2)/3(1), labial tooth row P3 smaller than P1 and P2, marginal papillae of oral disc with wide dorsal and narrow ventral gaps. External morphological features were compared with other tadpoles of the Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis species group. Additionally, we provide information on egg clutches of P. itacolomi and P. megacephala.

The tadpole of Hylorina sylvatica (Anura: Cyclorhamphidae) in southern Chile

The tadpole of Hylorina sylvatica is redescribed. The current description includes larval external morphology, internal oral features examined by SEM, and description of the chondrocranium and hyobranchial apparatus. The external and internal characteristics of the tadpoles of H. sylvatica are compared with others members of the subfamily Alsodinae (family Cycloramphidae) and used to improve the generic diagnosis which until now has been based on adult morphology.

The tadpole of Scinax catharinae (Anura: Hylidae) with description of the internal oral morphology, and a review of the tadpoles from the Scinax catharinae group

AbstractWe present a description of the external morphology and internal oral features of the tadpole of Scinax catharinae and comparisons with the known tadpoles of the S. catharinae group. Two characters of the external morphology present some intraspecific variation: the row of submarginal papillae, which can be uniseriate or absent, and the tail tip, which can be large or small, truncated or not. That said, the tadpole of S. catharinae presents some distinguishing features that differentiate it from other tadpoles in the S. catharinae group: i) the marginal row of papillae with alternate disposition, ii) the spiracle opening on the midline of the body, iii) longest snout length, and iv) largest interorbital distance. The studied species were segregated into five ecomorphological guilds, characterized by external morphological features, tadpole habitat use and vegetation formation of species range. The taxonomy of the S. catharinae group is complex, due to the morphological similarities among the adults. Larval characters could help in the resolution of the taxonomic and phylogenetic complexities, since the morphological differences among the tadpoles in this group seem more conspicuous than those found among the adults.