CHONDROCRANIUM FEATURES OF FROG LARVAE OF THE GENUS PHYSALAEMUS

(Anura: Leiuperidae) AND THEIR RELATIVES

Diogo B. ProveteUNESP-São Paulo, Brazil

Punta del EsteJuly 2010

Introduction

The Family Leiuperidae– Phylogenetic position, relationships, diagnosis

Grant et al. 2006

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