Comparative morphology of pond, stream and phytotelm‐dwelling tadpoles of the South American Redbelly Toads (Anura: Bufonidae: Melanophryniscus). (4th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baldo, Diego; Candioti, Florencia Vera; Haad, Belén; Kolenc, Francisco; Borteiro, Claudio; Pereyra, Martín O.; Zank, Caroline; Colombo, Patrick; Bornschein, Marcos R.; Sisa, Flavia Netto; Brusquetti, Francisco; Conte, Carlos E.; Nogueira‐Costa, Paulo; Almeida‐Santos, Patricia; Pie, Marcio R.
• Is Part Of: Biological journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 112:Number 3(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 417
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2014-06-04
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1111/bij.12296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-4066

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>We present a comprehensive review of larval morphology in the Neotropical toad genus <italic>Melanophryniscus</italic>. The taxa studied included 23 species with representatives of recognized phenetic groups and different larval ecomorphological guilds: pond, stream, and phytotelm‐dwelling tadpoles. Their external morphology variation is congruent with current phenetic arrangement based on adult features, but also reflects the habitat where larvae develop. Lotic tadpoles (i.e. <italic>M. tumifrons</italic> group and <italic>M. krauczuki</italic>) in general exhibit a more depressed body, a longer tail with lower fins, and larger oral discs than lentic forms (i.e. <italic>M. stelzneri</italic> group, <italic>M. moreirae</italic>, <italic>M. sanmartini</italic>, and <italic>M. langonei</italic>). Despite their peculiar, confined microhabitat, phytotelm larvae do not diverge markedly from non‐arboreal species. The distinctive features of all species are the presence of a pineal end organ and the placement of the intestinal reversal point at the left of the abdomen in typical larval stages. The buccal cavity and musculoskeletal anatomy are quite conserved between species, yet some characteristics differ from those of other bufonids. The presence of one pair of subhyoid muscles is apparently an exclusive trait of <italic>Melanophryniscus</italic> among Bufonidae. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, <italic>Biological Journal of the Linnean Society</italic>, 2014, <bold>112</bold>, 417–441.</p> </abstract>