Chondrocrania of Physlaemus larvae and their relatives

CHONDROCRANIUM FEATURES OF FROG LARVAE OF THE GENUS PHYSALAEMUS (Anura: Leiuperidae) AND THEIR RELATIVES Diogo B. Provete UNESP-São Paulo, Brazil Punta del Este July 2010

Introduction
The Family Leiuperidae
Phylogenetic position, relationships, diagnosis

Grant et al. 2006

Introduction
The genus Physalaemus and other related genera
Eupemphix , Engystomops
Pleurodema , Pseudopaludicola , Edalorhina , Somuncuria

McDiarmid & Altig, 1999

Engystomops Physalaemus Pseudopaludicola Edalorhina Pleurodema Eupemphix

Aim
To make a character survey concerning chondrocrania of Physalaemus larvae in a way that allows it to be further included in the diagnosis of the genus

Material and Methods
Species analyzed: Physalaemus jordanensis, P. olfersii, P. latestriga, P. barrioi, P. cuvieri, P. centralis, P. marmoratus, P. moreirae, P. henseli, P. riograndensis, P. atlanticus, P. gracilis , Eupemphix nattereri , Pseudopaludicola sp. (aff. falcipes )
Data from the literature: Physalaemus fernandezae , P. santafecinus, P. cuqui , P. biligonigerus, Pleurodema tucumana, P. borellii
Clear and stained following Taylor & Van Dyke (1985)
Material anayzed: DZSJRP-Tadpoles, CFBH

Results P. santafecinus P. fernandezae Vera Candioti, 2007 Alcalde et al. , 2006

Results Fabrezi & Vera, 1997 P. cuqui P. biligonigerus

Results Fabrezi & Vera, 1997 P. tucumana P. borelli

Results P. moreirae

Results P. barrioi

Results P. jordanensis

Results P. centralis

Results P. marmoratus

Results P. olfersii

Results P. centralis

Results E. nattereri

Discussion
General features of chondrocranium of Physalaemus :
(1) suprarostral bearing a V- or U-shaped corpora, which is dorsally connected to the alae, the alae always bear a precessus anterioris;
(2) basihyal absent;
(3) basibranchial with short processus urobranchial;
(4) processus anterior branchialis absent;
(5) cornua trabeculae long and uniformily wide.
(6) The neurocranium usually longer than wide and depressed.

Discussion
General features of chondrocranium of Engystomops and Pleurodema :
the corpus of the suprarostral is fused ventrally to the alae;
The processus branchialis is only common in Pleurodema
In Eupemphix larvae, this character is similar to the Physalaemus condition.

Discussion
Comparison among leiuperid tadpoles
Comparison with Leptodactylus
Less variation => all pond-type tadpoles, differently from Leptodactylus

Larson & De Sá, 1998 Leptodactylus Carnivorous (e.g., L. pentadactylus ) Lentic-benthic (e.g., L. fuscus ) Nidicolous (e.g., L. gr. marmoratus ) Semiterrestrial Physalaemus Lentic-benthic

Conclusion
Its utility in phylogenetic reconstruction => among genera and families
Leiuperidae=> chondrocranium => morphological synapomorphy

Acknowledgements
Lilian Franco Belussi => photos, along with continuous support and suggestions
Denise de C. Rossa-Feres => chemicals, work space, and access to collection
Grant # 011/2010

Chondrocrania of Physlaemus larvae and their relatives

by Diogo Provete on Feb 16, 2011

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Chondrocrania of Physlaemus larvae and their relatives Presentation Transcript