DOI

10.2307/1565288

Abstract

The timing and pattern of myogensis varies among anurans that have been studied and the different patterns may provide useful phylogenetic information. Specific myogenic markers have been described (Muntz, 1975; Kielbowna, 1981; Boudjelida & Muntz, 1987; Radice et al., l989) and they can provide information on evolutionary changes for closely related lineages within a clade. For example, we previously compared first appearance of a muscle-specific protein, first twitch of axial muscle, onset of multinucleation within axial myotome, and first heartbeat in two pipid genera (Smetanick, et al., 1999). We found that although the timing of myogensis differed, the sequence of events was the same for these two pipids. The similarities we saw in the two pipids could be due their common lineage, or alternatively, be a result of sharing a life history mode. For example, appearance of muscle twitch prior to multinucleation could be an adaptation for rapid development, an advantage in frogs with free-swimming tadpoles. If so, it might occur in other lineages with free-swimming tadpoles regardless of phylogenetic distance.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2000

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2000 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. This article first appeared in Journal of Herpetology 34, no. 4 (December 2000): 637-44. doi:10.2307/1565288.

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