Abstract

GOMEZ, M.L.; ZARACHO, V.H.  and  SANDOVAL, M.T.. Desarrollo embrionario-larval y metamorfosis de Physalaemus albonotatus (Anura: Leptodactylidae). Rev. vet. [online]. 2016, vol.27, n.1, pp.21-27. ISSN 1669-6840.

Anurans have a great phenotypic plasticity and are a useful group for ontogenetic studies regarding morpho-physiological aspects as well as ecological, phylogenetic and evolutionary approaches. Descriptions of larval morphology is available for most species of frogs, however, embryonic and larval development has been poorly explored in Leptodactylidae. In this paper, the internal and external morphology of embryonic, larval and metamorphic stages of Physalaemus albonotatus are described and characterized. Embryos and tadpoles collected in natural ponds were kept under laboratory conditions and fixed periodically in formalin 10%. Observations were performed under stereoscopic microscope and scanning electron microscope. The embryonic and larval development followed the characteristic pattern of frogs with obligated aquatic larval phase. The organization of the main organs occurs during the embryonic and early larval stages, between the stages 17 and 25. Some transitory organs as the external gills and the adhesive organ disappear early during the development, while the operculum, the spiracle, the oral apparatus, vent tube, tail and caudal fins are retained until the end of the larval period and disappear during the metamorphosis. In this period occur important changes in the organ systems anatomy that configure the juvenile body plan. The embryonic and larval morphological characterization of P. albonotatus contributes to knowledge of the ontogeny of this species and could be potentially applicable to other Leptodactylidae species.

Keywords : amphibians; ontogeny; embryonic stages; larval morphology.

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