Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Chondrocranial, hyobranchial and internal oral morphology in larvae of the basal bufonid genus Melanophryniscus (Amphibia: Anura)

Authors

Peter M. Larson
Rafael O. de Sá, University of RichmondFollow
Diego Arrieta

DOI

10.1046/j.1463-6395.2003.00140.x

Abstract

Melanophryniscus is a genus of small toads inhabiting the southern portion of South America. This genus is considered basal within the family Bufonidae. Data on larval chondrocranial morphology do not exist for the genus and larval internal oral anatomy has only been described for a single species. Here, we describe chondrocranial and internal oral morphology in Melanophryniscus montevidensis, M. orejasmirandai and M. sanmartini. Chondrocranial morphology is similar among the species examined. Comparisons with other bufonids and with outgroup taxa suggest that the following chondrocranial characters may represent synapomorphies for the Bufonidae: free (or absent) ceratobranchial IV, a reduced or absent larval crista parotica, the lack of a larval otic process, and late development of thin, poorly chondrified orbital cartilages. The presence of an elongated processus anterior dorsalis of the suprarostral alae and the absence of a chondrified commissura quadratoorbitalis appear to be unique in Melanophryniscus among bufonids. Internal oral anatomy is conserved in Melanophryniscus, and among bufonids in general.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2003

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2003, Wiley Online Library.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-6395.2003.00140.x .

Recommended Citation

Larson, P.M., De Sá, R.O. and Arrieta, D. (2003), Chondrocranial, hyobranchial and internal oral morphology in larvae of the basal bufonid genus Melanophryniscus (Amphibia: Anura). Acta Zoologica, 84: 145-154. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-6395.2003.00140.x