Skull development during anuran metamorphosis: III. Role of thyroid hormone in chondrogenesis

Effects of cadmium exposure on thyroid gland and endochondral ossification in Rana zhenhaiensis

Discovery of elevated concentrations of cadmium in the natural environment has increased awareness because of their potential threats. Amphibians are negatively affected due to their moderate sensitivity to cadmium. Here, we conduct acute and subchronic toxicity tests to examine whether, and to what extent, cadmium exposure disturbs metamorphosis, growth, and kinetic ability of Rana zhenhaiensis. We set different concentration treatment groups for the subchronic toxicity test (0, 10, 40, 160 μg Cd L^-1). Our findings demonstrate that cadmium exposure reduces growth parameters and the cumulative metamorphosis percent of R. zhenhaiensis. Decreases in follicular size and follicular epithelial cell thickness of thyroid gland are found in the treatment group. Further, subchronic exposure to cadmium decreases ossification ratio of hindlimbs in all treatment. Also, adverse effects of cadmium exposure on aquatic tadpoles can result in the reduced physical parameters and weak jumping ability in adult frogs. In this sense, our study suggests that cadmium adversely influences body condition and metamorphosis of R. zhenhaiensis, damages thyroid gland and impairs endochondral ossification. Meanwhile, we speculated that cadmium-damaged thyroid hormones inhibit skeletal development, resulting in the poor jumping ability, which probably leads to reduced survival of R. zhenhaiensis.

Increasing Hormonal Control of Skeletal Development: An Evolutionary Trend in Amphibians

The biphasic life history of amphibians includes metamorphosis, a complex developmental event that involves drastic changes in the morphology, physiology and biochemistry accompanying the transition from the larval to adult stage of development. Thyroid hormones (THs) are widely known to orchestrate this remodeling and, in particular, to mediate the development of the bony skeleton, which is a model system in evolutionary morphological studies of amphibians. Detailed experimental studies of the role of THs in the craniogenesis of diverse urodelan amphibians revealed that (i) these hormones affect both the timing and sequence of bone formation, (ii) TH involvement increases in parallel with the increase in divergence between larval and adult skull morphology, and (iii) among urodelans, TH-involvement in skull development changes from a minimum in basal salamanders (Hynobiidae) to the most pronounced in derived ones (Salamandridae and Plethodontidae). Given the increasing regulatory function of THs in urodelan evolution, we hypothesized a stronger involvement of THs in the control of skeletogenesis in anurans with their most complex and dramatic metamorphosis among all amphibians. Our experimental study of skeletal development in the hypo- and hyperthyroid yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata: Bombinatoridae) supports the greater involvement of THs in the mediation of all stages of anuran cranial and postcranial bones formation. Similar to urodelans, B. variegata displays enhancing TH involvement in the development of cranial bones that arise during larval ontogeny: while the hormonal impact on early larval ossifications is minimal, the skull bones forming during metamorphosis are strictly TH-inducible. However, in contrast to urodelans, all cranial bones, including the earliest to form, are TH-dependent in B. variegata; moreover, the development of all elements of the axial and limb skeleton is affected by THs. The more accentuated hormonal control of skeletogenesis in B. variegata demonstrates the advanced regulatory and inductive function of THs in the orchestration of anuran metamorphosis. Based on these findings, we discuss (i) changes in THs function in amphibian evolution and (ii) the role of THs in the evolution of life histories in amphibians.

Phenotypic Variation Through Ontogeny: Thyroid Axis Disruption During Larval Development in the Frog Pleurodema borellii

Studies of the effects of thyroid hormones on larval development in the frog Xenopus spp. have provided baseline information to identify developmental constraints and elucidate genetic and hormonal mechanisms driving development, growth, and life history transitions. However, this knowledge requires data based on other anurans to complete a comprehensive approach to the understanding of larval developmental diversity and phenotypic variation through ontogeny. Mesocosm experiments provide realistic data about environmental conditions and timing; this information is useful to describe anuran larval development and/or analyze endocrine disruption. In this study, mesocosm experiments of the larval development of the frog Pleurodema borellii were conducted to explore the consequences of thyroid axis disruption; the sensitivity of tadpoles to the methimazole (2.66 mg/l) and thyroxine (T4) (1.66 μg/l) was compared. These concentrations were selected based on previous studies in Pleurodema borellii. We test the effects of methimazole and thyroxine on development in early exposure (from beginning of larval development) and late exposure, 18 days after hatching, with doses administered every 48 h. Tadpoles were evaluated 31 days after hatching. Methimazole caused moderate hypertrophy of the thyroid gland, alteration in the growth rates, differentiation without inhibition of development, and an increase of developmental variability. Thyroxine produced slight atrophy of the thyroid gland, accelerated growth rates and differentiation, and minor developmental variability. In tadpoles at stages previous to metamorphose, skull development (differentiation of olfactory capsules, appearance of dermal bones, and cartilage remodeling) seemed to be unaltered by the disruptors. Moreover, similar abnormal morphogenesis converged in specimens under methimazole and thyroxine exposures. Abnormalities occurred in pelvic and pectoral girdles, and vent tube, and could have been originated at the time of differentiation of musculoskeletal tissues of girdles. Our results indicate that premetamorphic stages (Gosner Stages 25–35) are sensitive to minimal thyroid axis disruption, which produces changes in developmental rates; these stages would also be critical for appendicular musculoskeletal morphogenesis to achieve the optimal condition to start metamorphosis.

Effects of thiourea on the skull of Triturus newts during ontogeny

Background

In amphibians, thyroid hormone (TH) has a profound role in cranial development, especially in ossification of the late-appearing bones and remodeling of the skull. In the present study, we explored the influence of TH deficiency on bone ossification and resulting skull shape during the ontogeny of Triturus newt hybrid larvae obtained from interspecific crosses between T. ivanbureschi and T. macedonicus.

Methods

Larvae were treated with two concentrations of thiourea (an endocrine disruptor that chemically inhibits synthesis of TH) during the midlarval and late larval periods. Morphological differences of the cranium were assessed at the end of the midlarval period (ontogenetic stage 62) and the metamorphic stage after treatment during the late larval period.

Results

There was no difference in the ossification level and shape of the skull between the experimental groups (control and two treatment concentrations) at stage 62. During the late larval period and metamorphosis, TH deficit had a significant impact on the level of bone ossification and skull shape with no differences between the two treatment concentrations of thiourea. The most pronounced differences in bone development were: the palatopterygoid failed to disintegrate into the palatal and pterygoid portions, retardation was observed in development of the maxilla, nasal and prefrontal bones and larval organization of the vomer was retained in thiourea-treated larvae.

Conclusions

This implies that deficiency of TH caused retardation in development and arrested metamorphic cranium skeletal reorganization, which resulted in divergent cranial shape compared to the control group. Our results confirmed that skull remodeling and ossification of late-appearing bones is TH–dependent, as in other studied Urodela species. Also, our results indicate that TH plays an important role in the establishment of skull shape during the ontogeny of Triturus newts, especially during the late larval period and metamorphosis, when TH concentrations reach their maximum.

Chronic Exposure to Two Gestagens Differentially Alters Morphology and Gene Expression in Silurana tropicalis

Gestagens are active ingredients in human and veterinary drugs with progestogenic activity. Two gestagens-progesterone (P4), and the synthetic P4 analogue, melengestrol acetate (MGA)-are approved for use in beef cattle agriculture in North America. Both P4 and MGA have been measured in surface water receiving runoff from animal agricultural operations. This project aimed to assess the morphometric and molecular consequences of chronic exposures to P4, MGA, and their mixture during Western clawed frog metamorphosis. Chronic exposure (from embryo to metamorphosis) to MGA (1.7 µg/L) or P4 + MGA (0.22 µg/L P4 + 1.5 µg/L MGA) caused a considerable dysregulation of metamorphic timing, as evidenced by an inhibition of growth, narrower head, and lack of forelimb emergence in all animals. Molecular analysis revealed that chronic exposure to the mixture induced an additive upregulation of neurosteroid-related (GABA_A receptor subunit α6 (gabra6) and steroid 5-alpha reductase 1 (srd5α1) gene expression in brain tissue. Chronic P4 exposure (0.26 µg/L P4) induced a significant upregulation of the expression hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG)-related genes (ipgr, erα) in the gonadal mesonephros complex (GMC). Our data suggest that exposure to P4, MGA, and their mixture induces multiple endocrine responses and adverse effects in larval Western clawed frogs. This study helps to better our understanding of the consequences of chronic gestagen exposure and suggests that the implications and risk of high gestagen use in beef cattle feeding operations may extend to the aquatic environment.

Parallel evolution of direct development in frogs - Skin and thyroid gland development in African Squeaker Frogs (Anura: Arthroleptidae: Arthroleptis)

BACKGROUND

Cases of parallel evolution offer the possibility to identify adaptive traits and to uncover developmental constraints on the evolutionary trajectories of these traits. The independent evolution of direct development from the ancestral biphasic life history in frogs is such a case of parallel evolution. In frogs, aquatic larvae (tadpoles) differ profoundly from their adult forms and exhibit a stunning diversity regarding their habitats, morphology and feeding behaviors. The transition from the tadpole to the adult is a climactic, thyroid hormone (TH)-dependent process of profound and fast morphological rearrangement called metamorphosis. One of the organ systems that experiences the most comprehensive metamorphic rearrangements is the skin. Direct-developing frogs lack a free-swimming tadpole and hatch from terrestrial eggs as fully formed froglets. In the few species examined, development is characterized by the condensed and transient formation of some tadpole-specific features and the early formation of adult-specific features during a "cryptic" metamorphosis.

RESULTS

We show that skin in direct-developing African squeaker frogs (Arthroleptis) is also repatterned from a tadpole-like to an adult-like histology during a cryptic metamorphosis. This repatterning correlates with histological thyroid gland maturation. A comparison with data from the Puerto Rican coqui (Eleutherodactylus coqui) reveals that the evolution of direct development in these frogs is associated with a comparable heterochronic shift of thyroid gland maturation.

CONCLUSION

This suggests that the development of many adult features is still dependent on, and possibly constrained by, the ancestral dependency on thyroid hormone signaling.

Ontogeny of the anuran urostyle and the developmental context of evolutionary novelty

Fusion of caudal vertebrae has evolved multiple times independently: the pygostyle of birds, coccyx in apes and humans, ural plate of fish, and the urostyle of frogs. The anuran urostyle, however, is structurally and developmentally distinct because of the contribution of an ossifying hypochord. To date, the developmental mechanisms behind an ossifying hypochord have remained obscure. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the development of this evolutionary innovative structure and of how neuromusculature, cell death, and proliferation paved their way to facilitate its formation. Finally, we propose that the ossifying hypochord plays a role in tail loss in anurans and reorganizing the dorsal aorta and thus is pivotal in the evolution of the anuran bauplan.

Developmental novelties often underlie the evolutionary origins of key metazoan features. The anuran urostyle, which evolved nearly 200 MYA, is one such structure. It forms as the tail regresses during metamorphosis, when locomotion changes from an axial-driven mode in larvae to a limb-driven one in adult frogs. The urostyle comprises of a coccyx and a hypochord. The coccyx forms by fusion of caudal vertebrae and has evolved repeatedly across vertebrates. However, the contribution of an ossifying hypochord to the coccyx in anurans is unique among vertebrates and remains a developmental enigma. Here, we focus on the developmental changes that lead to the anuran urostyle, with an emphasis on understanding the ossifying hypochord. We find that the coccyx and hypochord have two different developmental histories: First, the development of the coccyx initiates before metamorphic climax whereas the ossifying hypochord undergoes rapid ossification and hypertrophy; second, thyroid hormone directly affects hypochord formation and appears to have a secondary effect on the coccygeal portion of the urostyle. The embryonic hypochord is known to play a significant role in the positioning of the dorsal aorta (DA), but the reason for hypochordal ossification remains obscure. Our results suggest that the ossifying hypochord plays a role in remodeling the DA in the newly forming adult body by partially occluding the DA in the tail. We propose that the ossifying hypochord-induced loss of the tail during metamorphosis has enabled the evolution of the unique anuran bauplan.

Thyroid hormone modulation during zebrafish development recapitulates evolved diversity in danionin jaw protrusion mechanics

Protrusile jaws are a highly useful innovation that has been linked to extensive diversification in fish feeding ecology. Jaw protrusion can enhance the performance of multiple functions, such as suction production and capturing elusive prey. Identifying the developmental factors that alter protrusion ability will improve our understanding of fish diversification. In the zebrafish protrusion arises postmetamorphosis. Fish metamorphosis typically includes significant changes in trophic morphology, accompanies a shift in feeding niche and coincides with increased thyroid hormone production. We tested whether thyroid hormone affects the development of zebrafish feeding mechanics. We found that it affected all developmental stages examined, but that effects were most pronounced after metamorphosis. Thyroid hormone levels affected the development of jaw morphology, feeding mechanics, shape variation, and cranial ossification. Adult zebrafish utilize protrusile jaws, but an absence of thyroid hormone impaired development of the premaxillary bone, which is critical to jaw protrusion. Premaxillae from early juvenile zebrafish and hypothyroid adult zebrafish resemble those from adults in the genera Danionella, Devario, and Microdevario that show little to no jaw protrusion. Our findings suggest that evolutionary changes in how the developing skulls of danionin minnows respond to thyroid hormone may have promoted diversification into different feeding niches.

How thyroid hormones and their inhibitors affect cartilage growth and shape in the frog Xenopus laevis

Understanding how skeleton changes shape in ontogeny is fundamental to understanding how its shape diversifies in phylogeny. Amphibians pose a special case because their jaw and throat skeleton consists of cartilages that are dramatically reshaped midway through life to support new feeding and breathing styles. Although amphibian metamorphosis is commonly studied by immersing larvae in thyroid hormones (TH), how individual cartilages respond to TH is poorly understood. This study documents the effects of larval stage and TH type (T4 vs. T3), dose and deprivation on the size, shape and morphogenesis of the lower jaw and ceratohyal cartilages in the frog Xenopus laevis. It uses thyroid inhibitors to isolate the effects of each hormone at specific concentrations. It also deconstructs the TH responses into the effects on individual dimensions, and uses measures of percent change to eliminate the effects of body size and growth rate variation. As stage increases, T4 and T3 responses become increasingly similar to each other and to natural remodeling; the differences at low and intermediate stages result largely from abnormal responses to T3. Most notably, the beak-like lower jaw commonly observed at the lowest stage in other studies results largely from arrested growth of cartilage. TH responses are superimposed upon the growth typical for each stage so that cartilages can attain postmetamorphic shapes through dimensional changes that exceed those of natural metamorphosis. Using thyroid inhibitors alters the outcome of TH-induced remodeling, and T4 has almost the same capacity to induce metamorphic shape changes as T3. The results have implications for understanding how the starting shapes of larval elements affect morphogenesis, how chondrocytes behave to change cartilage shape, and how intracellular processing of TH might contribute to interspecific differences in shape change. Also, the data on animal mortality and which stages and doses most closely replicate natural remodeling have practical value for researchers who treat Xenopus tadpoles with TH.

Maternal environment and craniofacial growth: geometric morphometric analysis of mandibular shape changes with in utero thyroxine overexposure in mice

An estimated 3% of US pregnancies are affected by maternal thyroid dysfunction, with between one and three of every 1000 pregnancies being complicated by overactive maternal thyroid levels. Excess thyroid hormones are linked to neurological impairment and excessive craniofacial variation, affecting both endochondral and intramembranous bone. Using a geometric morphometric approach, this study evaluates the role of in utero thyroxine overexposure on the growth of offspring mandibles in a sample of 241 mice. Canonical variate analysis utilized 16 unilateral mandibular landmarks obtained from 3D micro-computed tomography to assess shape changes between unexposed controls (n = 63) and exposed mice (n = 178). By evaluating shape changes in the mandible among three age groups (15, 20 and 25 days postnatal) and different dosage levels (low, medium and high), this study found that excess maternal thyroxine alters offspring mandibular shape in both age- and dosage-dependent manners. Group differences in overall shape were significant (P < 0.001), and showed major changes in regions of the mandible associated with muscle attachment (coronoid process, gonial angle) and regions of growth largely governed by articulation with the cranial base (condyle) and occlusion (alveolus). These results compliment recent studies demonstrating that maternal thyroxine levels can alter the cranial base and cranial vault of offspring, contributing to a better understanding of both normal and abnormal mandibular development, as well as the medical implications of craniofacial growth and development.

Evolution of a complex phenotype with biphasic ontogeny: Contribution of development versus function and climatic variation to skull modularity in toads

The theory of morphological integration and modularity predicts that if functional correlations among traits are relevant to mean population fitness, the genetic basis of development will be molded by stabilizing selection to match functional patterns. Yet, how much functional interactions actually shape the fitness landscape is still an open question. We used the anuran skull as a model of a complex phenotype for which we can separate developmental and functional modularity. We hypothesized that functional modularity associated to functional demands of the adult skull would overcome developmental modularity associated to bone origin at the larval phase because metamorphosis would erase the developmental signal. We tested this hypothesis in toad species of the Rhinella granulosa complex using species phenotypic correlation pattern (P-matrices). Given that the toad species are distributed in very distinct habitats and the skull has important functions related to climatic conditions, we also hypothesized that differences in skull trait covariance pattern are associated to differences in climatic variables among species. Functional and hormonal-regulated modules are more conspicuous than developmental modules only when size variation is retained on species P-matrices. Without size variation, there is a clear modularity signal of developmental units, but most species have the functional model as the best supported by empirical data without allometric size variation. Closely related toad species have more similar climatic niches and P-matrices than distantly related species, suggesting phylogenetic niche conservatism. We infer that the modularity signal due to embryonic origin of bones, which happens early in ontogeny, is blurred by the process of growth that occurs later in ontogeny. We suggest that the species differing in the preferred modularity model have different demands on the orbital functional unit and that species contrasting in climate are subjected to divergent patterns of natural selection associated to neurocranial allometry and T3 hormone regulation.

Skeletal advance and arrest in giant non-metamorphosing African clawed frog tadpoles (Xenopus laevis: Daudin)

This study examines the skeletons of giant non-metamorphosing (GNM) Xenopus laevis tadpoles, which arrest their development indefinitely before metamorphosis, and grow to excessively large sizes in the absence of detectable thyroid glands. Cartilage growth is isometric; however, chondrocyte size is smaller in GNM tadpoles than in controls. Most cartilages stain weakly with alcian blue, and several cartilages are calcified (unlike controls). However, cartilages subjacent to periosteum-derived bone retain strong affinities for alcian blue, indicating a role for periosteum-derived bone in the retention of glycosaminoglycans during protracted larval growth. Bone formation in the head, limb, and axial skeletons is advanced in comparison with stage-matched controls, but arrests at various mid-metamorphic states. Both dermal and periosteum-derived bones grow to disproportionately large sizes in comparison to controls. Additionally, mature monocuspid teeth form in several GNM tadpoles. Advances in skeletal development are attributable to the old ages and large sizes of these tadpoles, and reveal unexpected developmental potentials of the pre-metamorphic skeleton.

MT1-MMP-dependent, apoptotic remodeling of unmineralized cartilage: a critical process in skeletal growth

Skeletal tissues develop either by intramembranous ossification, where bone is formed within a soft connective tissue, or by endochondral ossification. The latter proceeds via cartilage anlagen, which through hypertrophy, mineralization, and partial resorption ultimately provides scaffolding for bone formation. Here, we describe a novel and essential mechanism governing remodeling of unmineralized cartilage anlagen into membranous bone, as well as tendons and ligaments. Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP)–dependent dissolution of unmineralized cartilages, coupled with apoptosis of nonhypertrophic chondrocytes, mediates remodeling of these cartilages into other tissues. The MT1-MMP deficiency disrupts this process and uncouples apoptotic demise of chondrocytes and cartilage degradation, resulting in the persistence of “ghost” cartilages with adverse effects on skeletal integrity. Some cells entrapped in these ghost cartilages escape apoptosis, maintain DNA synthesis, and assume phenotypes normally found in the tissues replacing unmineralized cartilages. The coordinated apoptosis and matrix metalloproteinase-directed cartilage dissolution is akin to metamorphosis and may thus represent its evolutionary legacy in mammals.

Postembryonic ontogeny of the spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus intermontanus (Anura: Pelobatidae): skeletal morphology

Postembryonic skeletal ontogeny of the pelobatid frog Scaphiopus intermontanus is described based on a developmental series of cleared-and-stained, whole-mount specimens. The focus is on laboratory-reared individuals fed a herbivorous diet as larvae. Although there is variation in the timing of ossification of individual skeletal elements relative to developmental stages based on external morphological criteia, the sequence of skeletal development generally is conservative. Compared with its close relative, S. bombifrons, ossifications that occur during prometamorphosis tend to be slightly delayed in S. intermontanus; however, cranial bones that ossify during late metamorphic climax in S. intermontanus are delayed until post-metamorphosis in S. bombifrons. The differences in timing between the two species are consistent, however, with differences observed between two developmental series of S. intermontanus raised at two different temperatures. Noteworthy features of skeletal development in S. intermontanus include: 1) presence of palatine ossifications that form from independent centers of ossification and soon fuse with the postnarial portion of the vomers to form the compound vomeropalatine bones; 2) compound sphenethmoid that may arise from four or more endochondral centers of ossification and one dorsal, dermal center of ossification; and 3) presence of transverse processes and vestigal prezygapophyses on the first postsacral vertebra. The morphology of the larval orbitohyoideus and interhyoideus muscles is compared. The record of skeletal ontogeny and muscle morphology presented herein for the herbivorous larval morph can serve as a baseline for comparisons with the ontogeny of the carnivorous larval morph of Scaphiopus.

Development of the tectum in Gymnophiones, with comparison to other amphibians

Tectal development in a number of caecilian (Gymnophiona: Amphibia) species was examined and compared with that in frogs and salamanders. The caecilian optic tectum develops along the same rostrocaudal and lateromedial gradients as those of frogs and salamanders. However, differences exist in the time course of development. Our data suggest that, as in salamanders, simplification of morphological complexity in caecilians is due to a retardation or loss of late developmental stages. Differences in the time course of development (heterochrony) among different caecilian species are correlated with phylogenetic history as well as with variation in life histories. The most pronounced differences in development occur between the directly developing Hypogeophis rostratus and all other species examined. In this species, the increase in the degree of morphological complexity is greatly accelerated. J. Morphol. 236:233-246, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Differentiation processes in the amphibian brain with special emphasis on heterochronies

Amphibians and caecilians exhibit a great variety of adult morphologies, life histories, and developmental strategies (biphasic development, direct development, viviparity, and neoteny). While early brain development and the differentiation of neural tissues in the three amphibian orders follow a basic pattern, differences exist in the onset and offset as well as the rate of growth and differentiation processes. These differences are described within a phylogenetic framework, and special emphasis is laid on the relationship between altered ontogenies and phylogenetic diversity. We concentrate on ontogenetic differentiation processes in the motor, olfactory, and visual system. We discuss the morphological consequences of secondary simplification of the brain in the context of paedomorphosis, which has happened several times independently among amphibians and consists in the abbreviation or truncation of late developmental processes. We deal with the cellular and molecular basis of brain development and the consequences for the adult nervous system in representative species of the three amphibian orders. Our analysis reveals that differences in brain morphology are largely due to heterochrony (i.e., the desynchronization of ontogenetic processes), a phenomenon that in turn is related to changes in genome sizes and life histories.

Histological examination of the effects of corticosterone in larvae of the western toad, Bufo boreas (Anura: Bufonidae), and the Oriental fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis (Anura: Discoglossidae)

The effects of corticosterone (CORT)-treatment on various tissues were examined in two species of anuran larvae, the discoglossid Bombina orientalis, and the bufonid Bufo boreas. Corticosterone was administered directly into aquarium water for 15 days. After treatment, histological analyses were conducted on skin, gut, spleen, thymus, and neural and muscle tissue. Corticosterone treatment prevented sloughing of the skin, which resulted in a build-up of stratum corneum, and inhibited the development of gland nests and the subsequent formation of dermal granular and mucous glands in both species. Corticosterone treatment also decreased epithelial folding in the gut and caused vesiculation of the gut epithelial cells. The thymus of CORT-treated animals was significantly reduced in size (P < .05) and cell density (P < .05), and the spleen of CORT-treated animals was completely involuted. The brain and pituitary of CORT-treated animals had a decreased cell density (P < .05) and many pyknotic cells. An examination of muscle revealed that muscle fibers of CORT-treated animals had a decreased cross-sectional area (P < .05). The dose of CORT used (1.1 microM) was within the range used in other studies in the literature and resulted in tissue levels within the range experienced by larvae at metamorphic climax. Thus, this study is appropriate to address the histological effects of CORT in experimental manipulations and the role of increasing CORT at metamorphic climax. The data suggest that increasing endogenous CORT at metamorphosis may be involved in degeneration of larval tissue, prior to regeneration, which is stimulated by thyroid hormones.

A scanning electron-microscopic study of tongue development in the frog Rana pipiens

Feeding behaviour changes drastically during metamorphosis as larval suction feeders become adult lingual feeders. In order to understand this transition, the general morphological development of the floor of the buccal cavity in embryonic and larval Rana pipiens was studied, up to the completion of metamorphosis, by scanning electron microscopy. Rana pipiens specimens were collected, anaesthetized with tricaine methanesulphonate, staged by the methods of Shumway and Taylor and Kollros, and fixed in 0.1 M phosphate-buffered 2.5% glutaraldehyde. The oropharyngeal floors were dissected and routinely prepared for scanning. The late embryonic period (Shumway stages 21-25) is marked by the appearance on the oropharyngeal floor of two midline premetamorphic lingual papillae (PMLP), located on the second branchial arch just caudal to the hyomandibular groove. The larval tongue anlage, which incorporates PMLP along its anterior border, does not appear until stage V of the premetamorphic developmental span (Taylor-Kollros stages I-XI). Prometamorphosis (stages XII-XIX) is marked by the incorporation of the larval tongue into the adult tongue, the disappearance of the PMLP, and the appearance of the true tongue papillae. The metamorphic span (stages XX-XXIV) marks further rapid growth and differentiation of the adult tongue.

Skeletal morphogenesis in the urodele skull: III. Effect of hormone dosage in TH-induced remodeling

This study examines the dosage dependency of thyroid hormone (TH)-mediated remodelling in the cranial skeleton of the hemidactyliine plethodontid urodele, Eurycea bislineata. One set of experiments quantifies morphogenetic responses in 21 tissues for four size-age classes of larvae immersed in four different T₄ concentrations. A second set varies both the period and concentration of T₄ treatment to evaluate the effect of different TH profiles on adult tissue shape. The tissues surveyed in this study exhibit a 100-fold range in TH sensitivity. Those in regressive morphogenesis have tissue-specific sensitivities which correlate with the timing of their remodelling in natural development: bone resorption is more sentitive than cartilage resorption and is initiated earlier in metamorphosis. In contrast, the TH sensitivities of tissues in progressive morphogenesis vary within each tissue type and even within some tissues, and they do not correlate with timing in natural development. Some explanation for this discrepancy is offered by the constant spatial and temporal relationships between nasal cartilage and dermal bone, which suggest that some TH-mediated ossification may additionally require induction by cartilage. Also, the failure of nasolacrimal duct morphogenesis at all but the lowest dosage correlates with the inductdion of integumentary changes that may preclude duct formation. Variable T₄ treatments produce no effect upon the adult skull, other than loss of the nasolacrimal duct and/or foramen. These results have two developmental implicatons. First, the dosage dependencies of the nasolacrimal duct, ossification sequences, and cranial remodelling patterns all support a TH profile with exceptionally low levels at larval stages and at least a 100-fold increase at metamorphosis. Second, a small change in the rate of TH activity has the potential to effect a large-scale rearranggement and restructuring of TH-dependent remodelling. The lack of such transformations in metamorphic plethodontids suggests that TH activity is highly conserved in this group. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Interdependence of corticosterone and thyroid hormones in toad larvae (Bufo boreas). II. Regulation of corticosterone and thyroid hormones

Typically, the role of corticosterone(B) in metamorphosis is considered secondary to that of thyroid hormone, with B having only enhancing effects. In the current study, we demonstrate that the relationship between the thyroid hormones and B is much more complex and that thyroxine (T4) may depend on B for some of its functions. Tadpoles of the western toad (Bufo boreas) were treated with various combinations of corticosterone (B), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), a goitrogen (thiourea; Thio), and a corticoid synthesis inhibitor (metyrapone; MTP). Hormones were extracted from individual tadpoles and whole-body hormone levels determined by radioimmunoassay. B-treatment decreased the ratio of T4 to T3, suggesting that B increased the conversion of endogenous T4 to T3. In addition, B-treatment in combination with T4 resulted in high whole body-levels of T3. B also caused a decrease in whole body-thyroid hormone levels (T4 and T3), suggesting negative feedback on the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis and T3 had a similar effect, decreasing whole body-T4 levels. T4-treatment, but not T3, increased whole body-B levels and MTP-treatment in combination with T4 prevented the stimulatory effect of T4 on B production. MTP-treatment alone blocked all steroid metabolism of [3H]progesterone by the inter-renal in vitro, and lowered whole body-B levels three-fold in vivo. Thio-treatment reduced thyroid hormone levels and also resulted in decreased B. Finally, we suggest that these results demonstrate a system in which T4 may regulate its own potency: increasing T4 stimulates B production, which increases the conversion of T4 to its more active form T3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Skeletal morphogenesis in the urodele skull: II. Effect of developmental stage in thyroid hormone-induced remodeling

This study investigates the effect of developmental stage on thyroid hormone (TH)-mediated remodeling in the skeletal tissues of hemidactyliine plethodontid urodeles. Rate of morphogenesis was quantified in 17 metamorphic tissues for three different size-age classes of Eurycea bislineata larvae immersed in a metamorphic dosage of T₄ . Extent of morphogenesis after a 3-week immersion was also quantified in these tissues plus four larval ones for the full size range of E. bislineata larvae and for less complete size ranges of E. wilderae, E. longicauda guttolineata, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, and Pseudotriton ruber larvae. Although all tissues respond more slowly with decreasing size/age, two tissue-specific effects are evident in all species. Larval ossifications are less inducible than metamorphic ossifications, and progressive metamorphic events are more retarded and, in some cases, more prone to abnormal morphogenesis than regressive ones. The first effect agrees with the prediction that tissues that naturally remodel at metamorphosis are more responsive to a metamorphic dosage of TH than those that respond at a larval stage and lower TH. The second effect agrees with the prediction that progressive morphogenesis is more likely to be impaired at small size than regressive morphogenesis, although the frequent discrepancies between individuals of similar size implicate developmental age more than size in this effect. Collectively, these two effects provide only equivocal support for the hypothesis that direct development in plethodontids evolved via precocious TH activity. However, the unexpected transition from ceratobranchial replacement to ceratobranchial shortening in medium-sized larvae suggests that the former pathway requires a longer period of cell specification at low TH. Since ancestral plethodontids appear to have been distinguished by an exceptionally long larval period with exceptionally low TH activity, this developmental prerequisite may in turn be partly responsible for their singular evolution of ceratobranchial replacement. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Interactions of temperature and steroids on larval growth, development, and metamorphosis in a toad (Bufo boreas)

The effects of temperature and steroids [testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and corticosterone (B)] on premetamorphic growth and development were investigated in the toad (Bufo boreas). The effects of steroids were both temperature and age dependent. In the first experiment, steroids (1.1-1.4 microM) were administered by dissolving them in the water beginning 1 day after hatching at 22 degrees C or 27 degrees C. At 22 degrees C, B inhibited growth (P < 0.001) but had no significant effect on development. Forelegs never emerged in B-treated animals and all died before complete tail resorption. Discontinuation of B treatment allowed normal growth and metamorphosis, but the resulting post-metamorphic animals were significantly shorter (snout-vent length, P < 0.001) than after other treatments. At 22 degrees C, T and E2 had no effect on larval growth and development or size at metamorphosis (P > 0.05), but T induced early foreleg emergence (FLE) (P < 0.005). At 27 degrees C, B was fatal after 2 weeks of treatment, and T and E2 inhibited growth (P < 0.001) and development (P < 0.001), but did not affect time to FLE. In a second experiment at 27 degrees C, treatment with 1.1 microM B starting 15 days after hatching induced early metamorphic events (P < 0.001), such as tail resorption and emergence of the left foreleg (but not the right), but jaw and head restructuring failed to occur. All B-treated animals died before complete tail resorption. In a third experiment, 0.275 and 1.11 microM B, starting at day 43 (stage 43), induced early FLE (P < 0.05) and decreased snout-vent length at tail resorption (P < 0.005) without a dose effect. A higher dose of B (4.44 microM) decreased snout-vent length at tail resorption and time to FLE (P < 0.05) but did not affect body weight at metamorphosis (P > 0.05). Animals in this experiment survived to complete tail resorption and transformed normally. The actions of B in these experiments closely resemble those observed with administration of thyroid hormones, suggesting that steroids may interact with endogenous thyroid hormones.

Cranial ontogeny in the direct-developing frog,Eleutherodactylus coqui (anura: Leptodactylidae), analyzed using whole-mount immunohistochemistry

Direct development in amphibians is an evolutionarily derived life-history mode that involves the loss of the free-living, aquatic larval stage. We examined embryos of the direct-developing anuran Eleutherodactylus coqui (Leptodactylidae) to evaluate how the biphasic pattern of cranial ontogeny of metamorphosing species has been modified in the evolution of direct development in this lineage. We employed whole-mount immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody against the extracellular matrix component Type II collagen, which allows visualization of the morphology of cartilages earlier and more effectively than traditional histological procedures; these latter procedures were also used where appropriate. This represents the first time that initial chondrogenic stages of cranial development of any vertebrate have been depicted in whole-mounts. Many cranial cartilages typical of larval anurans, e.g., suprarostrals, cornua trabeculae, never form in Eleutherodactylus coqui. Consequently, many regions of the skull assume an adult, or postmetamorphic, morphology from the inception of their development. Other components, e.g., the lower jaw, jaw suspensorium, and the hyobranchial skeleton, initially assume a mid-metamorphic configuration, which is subsequently remodeled before hatching. Thirteen of the adult complement of 17 bones form in the embryo, beginning with two bones of the jaw and jaw suspensorium, the angulosplenial and squamosal. Precocious ossification of these and other jaw elements is an evolutionarily derived feature not found in metamorphosing anurans, but shared with some direct-developing caecilians. Thus, in Eleutherodactylus cranial development involves both recapitulation and repatterning of the ancestral metamorphic ontogeny.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Retrofitting larval neuromuscular circuits in the metamorphosing frog

Maturation of vertebrate neuromuscular systems typically occurs in a continuous, orderly progression. After an initial period of developmental adjustment by means of cell death and axonal pruning, relatively stable relationships, with only subtle modifications, are maintained between motoneurons and their appropriate targets throughout life. However, among a restricted group of vertebrates (amphibians and especially the anuran amphibians) the sequential maturation of neuromuscular systems is altered by an abrupt reordering of the basic body plan that encompasses cellular changes in all tissues from skeleton to nervous system. Many anuran amphibians possess neuromuscular circuits that are remarkable by virtue of their complete reorganization during the brief span of metamorphosis. During this period motor systems initially designed for the behavioral patterns of aquatic tadpoles are adjusted to meet the drastically different motor activities of postmetamorphic terrestrial life. This adjustment involves the deletion of neural elements mediating larval specific activities, the accelerated maturation of neural circuits eliciting adult-specific activities and the retrofitting of larval neuromuscular components to serve postmetamorphic behaviors. This review focuses on the cellular events associated with the neuromuscular adaptation in the jaw complex during metamorphosis of the leopard frog, Rana pipiens. As part of the metamorphic reorganization of the jaw apparatus there is a complete turnover of the myofiber complement of the adductor mandibulae musculature. Trigeminal motoneurons initially deployed to the larval myofibers are redirected to new muscle fibers. Simultaneously the cellular geometry and synaptic input to these motoneurons is revamped. These changes suggest that trigeminal neuromuscular circuitry established during embryogenesis is updated during metamorphosis and reused to provide the basis for adult jaw motor activity that is far different than its larval counterpart.

Morphological integration in the cranium during anuran metamorphosis

We examined the role of thyroid hormone in mediating morphological integration between cranial cartilage and bone during anuran metamorphosis. Exogenous T3 applied to premetamorphic tadpoles (Bombina orientalis) via intracranial implants of plastic micropellets precociously induced typical metamorphic changes in both tissues, but also dissociated the relative timing of developmental events between them. Morphological integration between the two primary cranial tissues is achieved in part by each tissue responding independently to endocrine factors and does not reflect a tight developmental coupling between them.

Skull development during anuran metamorphosis. II. Role of thyroid hormone in osteogenesis

We examined the role of thyroid hormone (TH) in mediating cranial ossification during metamorphosis in the Oriental fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis. Exogenous T3 (3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine) was administered in three treatment dosages (0.025, 0.25, and 2.5 micrograms) plus a control dosage via plastic micropellets implanted within the dermis of tadpoles of three Gosner developmental stages: 28/29, 30/31, 32/33. Tadpoles were recovered after 2, 4, 6, and 8 d, and scored for the presence of three bones - median parasphenoid and paired frontoparietals and exoccipitals--as seen in cleared-and-stained, whole-mount preparations. T3 induced precocious ossification in both a stage-dependent and a dosage-dependent manner; stage dependence corresponded precisely with the degree of osteogenic differentiation at the time of hormone administration. Precocious ossification thus was due to the T3-promoted growth and calcified matrix deposition of these centers. Differential TH sensitivity among osteogenic sites may underlie both the temporal cranial ossification sequences characteristic of metamorphosing amphibians as well as sequence differences commonly observed among taxa.