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Carrillo JFC, Boaretto AG, Santana DJ, Silva DB. Skin secretions of Leptodactylidae (Anura) and their potential applications. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2024; 30:e20230042. [PMID: 38374940 PMCID: PMC10876013 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The skin of anuran species is a protective barrier against predators and pathogens, showing also chemical defense by substances that represent a potential source for bioactive substances. This review describes the current chemical and biological knowledge from the skin secretions of Leptodactylidae species, one of the most diverse neotropical frog families. These skin secretions reveal a variety of substances such as amines (12), neuropeptides (16), and antimicrobial peptides (72). The amines include histamine and its methylated derivatives, tryptamine derivatives and quaternary amines. The peptides of Leptodactylidae species show molecular weight up to 3364 Da and ocellatins are the most reported. The peptides exhibit commonly glycine (G) or glycine-valine (GV) as C-terminal amino acids, and the most common N-terminal amino acids are glutamic acid (E), lysine (K), and valine (V). The substances from Leptodactylidae species have been evaluated against pathogenic microorganisms, particularly Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and the most active peptides showed MIC of 1-15 µM. Furthermore, some compounds showed also pharmacological properties such as immunomodulation, treatment of degenerative diseases, anticancer, and antioxidant. Currently, only 9% of the species in this family have been properly studied, highlighting a large number of unstudied species such as an entire subfamily (Paratelmatobiinae). The ecological context, functions, and evolution of peptides and amines in this family are poorly understood and represent a large field for further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F. C. Carrillo
- Program in Ecology and Conservation, Institute of Biosciences,
Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
- Laboratory of Systematics and Biogeography of Amphibians and
Reptiles (Mapinguari), Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso
do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
- Laboratory of Natural Products and Mass Spectrometry (LaPNEM),
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition (FACFAN), Federal University
of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Amanda Galdi Boaretto
- Program in Ecology and Conservation, Institute of Biosciences,
Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
- Laboratory of Natural Products and Mass Spectrometry (LaPNEM),
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition (FACFAN), Federal University
of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Diego J. Santana
- Program in Ecology and Conservation, Institute of Biosciences,
Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
- Laboratory of Systematics and Biogeography of Amphibians and
Reptiles (Mapinguari), Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso
do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Denise Brentan Silva
- Program in Ecology and Conservation, Institute of Biosciences,
Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
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2
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Nali RC, Zamudio KR, Prado CPA. Hybridization despite elaborate courtship behavior and female choice in Neotropical tree frogs. Integr Zool 2023; 18:208-224. [PMID: 35041294 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms of hybridization can be elucidated by analyzing genotypes as well as phenotypes that could act as premating barriers, as the reproductive interactions among heterospecifics can alter the evolutionary history of species. In frogs, hybrids typically occur among species that reproduce explosively (in dense aggregations) with few opportunities for mate selection but are rare in species with elaborate courtship behaviors that may prevent erroneous mating. Using 21 microsatellite markers, we examined hybridization in the prolonged-breeding tree frogs Bokermannohyla ibitiguara and B. sazimai sampled within a contact zone in the Brazilian savanna (72 tadpoles; 74 adults). We also compared acoustic and morphological data. We confirmed both parental species genetically; STRUCTURE results confirmed 14 hybrids, 11 of which were second-generation according to NEWHYBRIDS, all with intermediate values of genetic dissimilarities compared to the parentals. Morphological and acoustic analyses revealed that hybrids showed variable but not necessarily intermediate phenotypes. Moreover, 2 hybrids exhibited call types different from parentals. The reproduction of B. ibitiguara involves territorial and aggressive males, elaborate courtships with acoustic and tactile stimuli, choosy females, and opportunistic strategies. Our study uncovers a rare case of viable hybridization among closely related frogs with such a combination of complex courtship behaviors and mate choice. We discuss the likely directionality and mechanisms behind this phenomenon, and highlight the importance of investigating hybridization even in species that show elaborate reproduction and female choice to advance our understanding of animal diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato C Nali
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Evolução e Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Kelly R Zamudio
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Cynthia P A Prado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Evolução e Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Sánchez-Nivicela JC, Falcón-Reibán JM, Cisneros-Heredia DF. A new stream treefrog of the genus Hyloscirtus (Amphibia, Hylidae) from the Río Negro-Sopladora National Park, Ecuador. Zookeys 2023; 1141:75-92. [DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1141.90290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent surveys in the Río Negro-Sopladora National Park revealed a striking new species of Hyloscirtus. The new species is easily diagnosed from all other congeners by its large body size (64.9 mm SVL in adult female); broad dermal fringes in fingers and toes; prepollex not projected into a prepollical spine and hidden under thenar tubercle; dorsum greyish-green, with paler-hued reticulum, yellow spots and black speckles; throat, venter, flanks and hidden surfaces of limbs golden-yellow with large black blotches and spots; fingers, toes and webbing yellow with black bars and spots; iris pale pink with black periphery. It is currently known only from its type locality, in the high montane forest on the southern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes, southeastern Ecuador. The new species might be related to the H. larinopygion species group based on its morphology.
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O'Donohoe MA, Rosset SD, Regueira E, Haddad CF, Basso NG, Hermida GN. Comparative skin histology of neotropical odontophrynid frogs. ZOOL ANZ 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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5
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Schulte LM, Jendras J, Twomey E, Ramirez-Bautista A, Bossuyt F. Gene expression of secretory proteins in the nuptial pads of three Lithobates species (Anura: Ranidae). AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-bja10108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Many amphibian species possess male-specific secretory breeding glands. In anurans, such specialized glands are often present as nuptial pads at the first digit of the hand, which are pressed against the female during amplexus. However, the role of nuptial pad secretions remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate the inner morphology as well as the RNA expression patterns of the nuptial pads of several Central American Lithobates species (Ranidae). As shown for the breeding glands of other amphibian species, the Lithobates nuptial pads are composed of large specialized mucus glands, excreting proteinaceous content to the surface. Whole-transcriptome sequencing revealed that for one of the species the most highly expressed transcripts encoding secretory proteins in the nuptial pads are sodefrin precursor-like factor (SPF) proteins, known to have a pheromone function in multiple amphibian species. The other two species, however, lack high expression of SPF transcripts but express other secretory proteins, whose roles in amphibian breeding glands remain unknown. Several of these proteins are highly expressed in all samples, suggesting a direct role during courtship or for the maintenance/development of the glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Schulte
- Department of Wildlife-/Zoo-Animal-Biology and Systematics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Julia Jendras
- Department of Wildlife-/Zoo-Animal-Biology and Systematics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Evan Twomey
- Department of Wildlife-/Zoo-Animal-Biology and Systematics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Aurelio Ramirez-Bautista
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Poblaciones, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Km 4.5 carretera Pachuca-Tulancingo, 42184, Mineral de La Reforma, Hidalgo, México
| | - Franky Bossuyt
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Antoniazzi MM, Mailho-Fontana PL, Nomura F, Azevedo HB, Pimenta DC, Sciani JM, Carvalho FR, Rossa-Feres DC, Jared C. Reproductive behaviour, cutaneous morphology, and skin secretion analysis in the anuran Dermatonotus muelleri. iScience 2022; 25:104073. [PMID: 35372815 PMCID: PMC8968045 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the common poison and mucous glands, some amphibian groups have differentiated glands associated with reproduction and usually present on the male ventral surface. Known as breeding glands or sexually dimorphic skin glands (SDSGs), they are related to intraspecific chemical communication during mating. Until recently, reproduction associated with skin glands was recognized only in salamanders and caecilians and remained unexplored among anurans. The Brazilian microhylid Dermatonotus muelleri (Muller's termite frog) is known for its very toxic skin secretion. Despite the slippery body, the male adheres to the female back during reproduction, as they have differentiated ventral glands. In this paper, we have gathered data proposing an integrative approach correlated with the species' biology and biochemical properties of their skin secretions. Furthermore, we suggest that the adhesion phenomenon is related to arm shortening and rounded body that make amplexus inefficient, although constituting important adaptive factors to life underground. Dermatonotus muelleri mating involves peculiar male adherence to the female’s back Adhesion phenomenon is possibly related to arm shortening and round-shaped body Differentiated adhesive glands are distributed in the male’s anterior ventral skin Male skin secretion contains compounds related to the adhesive properties
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fausto Nomura
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Denise Cerqueira Rossa-Feres
- Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Jared
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
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Schulte LM, Martel A, Cruz-Elizalde R, Ramírez-Bautista A, Bossuyt F. Love bites: male frogs (Plectrohyla, Hylidae) use teeth scratching to deliver sodefrin precursor-like factors to females during amplexus. Front Zool 2021; 18:59. [PMID: 34823558 PMCID: PMC8613984 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00445-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efficient transfer of chemical signals is important for successful mating in many animal species. Multiple evolutionary lineages of animals evolved direct sex pheromone transmission during traumatic mating-the wounding of the partner with specialized devices-which helps to avoid signal loss to the environment. Although such direct transmission modes of so-called allohormone pheromones are well-documented in invertebrates, they are considered rare in vertebrates. Males of several species of the frog genus Plectrohyla (Hylidae, Anura) have elongated teeth and develop swollen lips during the breeding season. Here we investigated the possibility that these structures are used to scratch the females' skin and apply allohormone pheromones during traumatic mating in several Plectrohyla species. RESULTS Our behavioural observations revealed that males press their upper jaw onto the females' dorsum during amplexus, leaving small skin scratches with their teeth. Histological examinations of the males' lips identified specialized mucus glands, resembling known amphibian pheromone glands. Whole-transcriptome sequencing of these breeding glands showed high expression of sodefrin precursor-like factor (SPF) proteins, which are known to have a pheromone function in multiple amphibian species. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests SPF delivery via traumatic mating in several anuran species: the males have specialized breeding glands in the lips for production and secretion and use their elongated teeth as wounding devices for application. We hypothesize that these SPF proteins end up in the females' circulatory system, where understanding their exact function will require further molecular, physiological and behavioural testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Schulte
- Department of Wildlife-/Zoo-Animal-Biology and Systematics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
| | - An Martel
- Wildlife Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Raciel Cruz-Elizalde
- Laboratorio de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Avenida de Las Ciencias S/N, Santa Fe Juriquilla, C. P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Poblaciones, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas E Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Km 4.5 carretera Pachuca-Tulancingo, 42184, Mineral de La Reforma, Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Franky Bossuyt
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
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8
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Cavalcanti IRDS, Luna MC, Faivovich J, Grant T. Structure and evolution of the sexually dimorphic integumentary swelling on the hands of dendrobatid poison frogs and their relatives (Amphibia: Anura: Dendrobatoidea). J Anat 2021; 240:447-465. [PMID: 34755350 PMCID: PMC8819055 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The hands of adult males of many dendrobatid poison frogs and their relatives possess swelling formed by glandular tissue hypothesized to secrete courtship pheromones delivered to the female during cephalic amplexus. Variation in the occurrence and external morphology of the swelling of finger IV has provided important evidence for dendrobatoid systematics for decades, but its underlying structure has not been investigated. We undertook a detailed comparative analysis of the integument of the hand, including both external morphology and histology, of 36 species representing the diversity of dendrobatoid frogs and several close relatives. The swelling is caused by four densely packed, hypertrophic, morpho-histochemical types of specialized mucous glands (SMGs). We observed type I SMGs on fingers II-V and the wrist, including areas that are not swollen, types II and IV exclusively on finger IV, and type III on finger IV and the wrist. Type I SMGs occur either in isolation or together with types II, III, or IV; types II, III, and IV never occur together or without type I. We delimited 15 characters to account for the variation in external morphology and the occurrence of SMGs. Our data suggest that type I SMGs are a new synapomorphy for Dendrobatoidea and that type II SMGs originated in either the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of Dendrobatidae or independently in the MRCAs of Aromobatidae and Colostethinae, respectively, while types III and IV are restricted to Anomaloglossus. The discovery of these SMGs adds a new dimension to studies of poison frog reproductive biology, which have investigated acoustic, visual, and tactile cues in courtship, mating, and parental care across the diversity of Dendrobatoidea for decades but have almost entirely overlooked the possible role of chemical cues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Celeste Luna
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales 'Bernardino Rivadavia' - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julián Faivovich
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales 'Bernardino Rivadavia' - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Taran Grant
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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9
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Pinheiro PDP, Blotto BL, Ron SR, Stanley EL, Garcia PCA, Haddad CFB, Grant T, Faivovich J. Prepollex diversity and evolution in Cophomantini (Anura: Hylidae: Hylinae). Zool J Linn Soc 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Several species of Cophomantini are known to have an enlarged prepollex, commonly modified as an osseous spine. We surveyed the osteology and myology of the prepollex and associated elements of 94 of the 190 species of Cophomantini, sampling all genera, except Nesorohyla. Two distinct prepollex morphologies were found: a blade-shaped and a spine-shaped morphology. We described the observed variation in 17 discrete characters to study their evolution in the most inclusive phylogenetic hypothesis for Cophomantini. Both morphologies evolved multiple times during the evolutionary history of this clade, but the origin of the spine-shaped distal prepollex in Boana and Bokermannohyla is ambiguous. The articulation of metacarpal II with the prepollex through a medial expansion of the metacarpal proximal epiphysis is a synapomorphy for Boana. The shape of the curve of the spine, and a large post-articular process of the distal prepollex, are synapomorphies for the Boana pulchella group, the latter being homoplastic in the Bokermannohyla martinsi group. Muscle character states associated with the spine-shaped prepollex are plesiomorphic for Cophomantini. We discuss evolution, function, behaviour and sexual dimorphism related to the prepollical elements. A bony spine is associated with fights between males, but forearm hypertrophy could be more related with habitat than with territorial combat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo D P Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Anfíbios, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Boris L Blotto
- Laboratório de Anfíbios, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Herpetologia e Centro de Aquicultura (CAUNESP), Departamento de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Santiago R Ron
- Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Edward L Stanley
- Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Paulo C A Garcia
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Célio F B Haddad
- Laboratório de Herpetologia e Centro de Aquicultura (CAUNESP), Departamento de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Taran Grant
- Laboratório de Anfíbios, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julián Faivovich
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ – CONICET, Angel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Morphological diversity in the parotoid macroglands of neotropical true toads (Anura: Bufonidae) and its association with the release of glandular secretion. ZOOL ANZ 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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11
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Yánez-Muñoz MH, Reyes-Puig JP, Batallas-Revelo D, Broaddus C, Urgilés-Merchán M, Cisneros-Heredia DF, Guayasamin JM. A new Andean treefrog (Amphibia: Hyloscirtus bogotensis group) from Ecuador: an example of community involvement for conservation. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11914. [PMID: 34434655 PMCID: PMC8351578 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We provide several lines of evidence to delimit a new species of Hyloscirtus and define its phylogenetic position inside the Hyloscirtus bogotensis group. The new species is the sister taxon to Hyloscirtus mashpi and is related to a clade formed by H. alytolylax and a putative new species from the province of El Oro in, southwestern Ecuador. Hyloscirtus conscientia sp. nov. is described from the montane forests of the Mira River basin in the extreme northwestern Ecuador. The new species is characterized as follows: tympanic annulus conspicuous, tip of snout in dorsal view subacuminate, middorsal stripe formed by melanophores larger and less dense, dorsal skin with individual iridophores forming dots, scarcely distributed across dorsum. Our study also highlights the importance of the Mira River Valley as a biogeographic barrier; suggesting research efforts north and south of the valley are likely to reveal additional endemic cryptic diversity. Finally, our partnership with Reserva: The Youth Land Trust, Rainforest Trust and EcoMinga Foundation has produced a novel and meaningful way to connect young people with biodiversity discovery and habitat conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario H Yánez-Muñoz
- Unidad de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INABIO), Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Juan Pablo Reyes-Puig
- Unidad de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INABIO), Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador.,Dirección de Reservas de Fundación Ecominga, Fundación Ecominga, Baños, Tungurahua, Ecuador
| | - Diego Batallas-Revelo
- Unidad de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INABIO), Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador.,Departamento de Biodiversidad Ecología y Evolución de la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Miguel Urgilés-Merchán
- Unidad de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INABIO), Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Diego F Cisneros-Heredia
- Unidad de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INABIO), Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador.,Museo de Zoología, Instituto iBIOTROP & Instituto Biósfera, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Juan M Guayasamin
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto Biósfera-USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador.,Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
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12
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Moura PHAG, Elias-Costa AJ, Nunes I, Faivovich J. Diversity and evolution of the extraordinary vocal sacs of casque-headed treefrogs (Anura: Hylidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Vocal sacs are among the most conspicuous features of anurans and are particularly striking in casque-headed treefrogs (Hylidae: Hylinae: Lophyohylini) with their wide array of morphologies. In this paper, we assessed the anatomy of vocal sacs in representatives of the Lophyohylini, described eight discrete characters and studied their evolution. We inferred that dorsolateral projections of the vocal sacs were already present during the early evolution of the tribe. Subsequently, they reached surprising volumes in some species, whereas in others they were notably reduced. We inferred between nine and 11 independent events of reduction of the size and lateral projections of the vocal sac, showing unprecedented levels of plasticity for the structure. Moreover, these events were strongly correlated with the colonization of phytotelmata as breeding sites, probably due to their confined space which hampers the inflation of large vocal sacs. Finally, we discuss the evolution of paired lateral vocal sacs in different groups of anurans, and the extent to which the paired and dorsally-projecting lobes of most Trachycephalus differ from those of distantly related taxa. Our findings highlight how variation in internal structure affects the shape of the inflated vocal sac and provides a framework applicable across the Anura.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique Areco Gomes Moura
- Laboratório de Herpetologia 11.330–900, Instituto de Biociências, Campus do Litoral Paulista, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Vicente,São Paulo,Brazil
| | - Agustín J Elias-Costa
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”- CONICET, Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470,C1405DJR,Buenos Aires,Argentina
| | - Ivan Nunes
- Laboratório de Herpetologia 11.330–900, Instituto de Biociências, Campus do Litoral Paulista, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Vicente,São Paulo,Brazil
| | - Julián Faivovich
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”- CONICET, Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470,C1405DJR,Buenos Aires,Argentina
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Rivera-Correa M, Faivovich J. The tadpole of the stream treefrog Hyloscirtus antioquia (Anura: Hylidae: Cophomantini). STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2020.1804814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Rivera-Correa
- Grupo Herpetológico de Antioquia, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Semillero de Investigación en Biodiversidad de Anfibios (BIO), Seccional Oriente, Dirección de Regionalización, Universidad de Antioquia, El Carmen de Viboral, Colombia
| | - Julián Faivovich
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”—CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Biodiversidad yBiología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas yNaturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Gong Y, Zeng Y, Zheng P, Liao X, Xie F. Structural and bio-functional assessment of the postaxillary gland in Nidirana pleuraden (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae). ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2020; 6:7. [PMID: 32518678 PMCID: PMC7275488 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-020-00160-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Owing to their incomplete adaptation to the terrestrial environment, amphibians possess complex cutaneous glandular systems. The skin glands not only regulate water loss and respiratory gas and salt exchange, but are also involved in defense against predators and microorganisms, social communication, and reproduction. These glands are distributed throughout the integument, but can accumulate in specific regions, forming visible outgrowths known as macroglands. Some macroglands are sexually dimorphic and mediate intersexual communication and reproductive success. The postaxillary gland is a sexually dimorphic macrogland in Nidirana pleuraden. Its biological function and its morphological and histochemical characteristics are unclear. In the present study, we describe the structure and ultrastructure of the postaxillary gland, and explore its main function. RESULTS The postaxillary gland has a thinner epidermis than the dorsal region of N. pleuraden. In addition to ordinary serous glands (OSG), type I and II mucous gland (I MG & II MG), a type of specialized mucous gland (SMG) is also found to constitute the postaxillary gland. The SMG is larger than other gland types, and consists of high columnar mucocytes with basal nuclei arranged radially toward a lumen. SMGs are positive to periodic acid-Schiff stain and stained blue in Masson's trichrome stain. A discontinuous myoepithelial sheath lacking innervation encircles SMG mucocytes, and the outlets of such glands are X- or Y-shaped. Transmission electron microscopy reveals abundant secretory granules in SMG, which are biphasic, composed of an electron-opaque outer ring and a less electron-dense core. Lipid droplets, and organelles, such as rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi stacks, are located in the supranuclear cytoplasm of the mucocytes in SMG. Female N. pleuraden exhibits chemotaxis toward homogenate of the postaxillary gland, but male does not. On treatment with trypsin, this sexual attraction disappears. CONCLUSIONS The postaxillary gland of N. pleuraden is a male-specific macrogland that consists primarily of SMGs, together with OSGs, I MGs and II MGs. Other than their extremely large size, SMGs structurally and histochemically resemble many reported specialized gland types in amphibian sexually dimorphic skin glands. Secretions of the postaxillary gland are proteinaceous sexual pheromones, which are believed to attract females at male calling intermissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhou Gong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
- Universtiy of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiwei Zeng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
- Universtiy of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Puyang Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
- Universtiy of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xun Liao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Feng Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
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15
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Vanburen CS, Norman DB, Fröbisch NB. Examining the relationship between sexual dimorphism in skin anatomy and body size in the white-lipped treefrog, Litoria infrafrenata (Anura: Hylidae). Zool J Linn Soc 2019; 186:491-500. [PMID: 33551467 PMCID: PMC7797633 DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zly070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Amphibians transport water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and various ions (e.g. sodium
and potassium) across their skin. This cutaneous permeability is thought to
affect their ability to respond to environmental change and to play a role in
global population declines. Sexual dimorphism of skin anatomy has been accepted
in some species, but rejected in others. The species in which such dimorphism
has been detected have all been sexually dimorphic in body size, with males that
are smaller and have thinner skin. It is unclear whether this difference in skin
thickness manifests a functional difference or if it is related to body size
alone. Skin thickness (epidermis, spongy dermis, compact dermis and total
thickness) was examined in males and females of the white-lipped treefrog
(Litoria infrafrenata). Although the skin of males is
absolutely thinner than that of females, this difference is explained by body
size differences between the sexes. Overall, we conclude that skin thickness in
male and female L. infrafrenata correlates with body size
dimorphism and suggest that future studies on amphibian skin anatomy include
measures of body size, test the ecological significance of sexually dimorphic
skin anatomy and better document the prevalence of sexually dimorphic amphibian
skin anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin S Vanburen
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany
| | - David B Norman
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nadia B Fröbisch
- Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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16
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O´donohoe MEA, Luna MC, Regueira E, Brunetti AE, Basso NG, Lynch JD, Pereyra MO, Hermida GN. Diversity and evolution of the parotoid macrogland in true toads (Anura: Bufonidae). Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Skin glands in amphibians are either distributed throughout the skin or aggregated in multiglandular structures such as the parotoids typical of most species of Bufonidae. Although many early divergent and derived bufonids lack a discrete parotoid in the postorbital–supratympanic (PoSt) region, they have a great macroscopic diversity in the skin morphology of this region. To understand the origin and evolution of this diversity, in particular of the parotoids, we describe the histomorphology of the skin of the PoSt and dorsal regions in 17 species of bufonids, with or without external evident parotoid, and compare it with previously published descriptions. The survey results in 27 characters that were optimized on a phylogenetic hypothesis of Bufonidae. Our results reveal that the PoSt region has a noteworthy morphological diversity of types of glands, spatial organization and differences in the secretion products. Some morphological characters represent putative synapomorphies of internal clades of Bufonidae and are related to the progressive differentiation towards defined structures (macroglands, parotoids). These morphological results, along with published information on the toxicity of the skin secretions and defensive behaviours in some representative species, allow us to infer possible relationships between these features.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Ailin O´donohoe
- Laboratorio Biología de Anfibios. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Piso. (C1428EGA), CABA, Argentina
| | - María Celeste Luna
- División Herpetología. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’-CONICET., CABA, Argentina
| | - Eleonora Regueira
- Laboratorio Biología de Anfibios. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Piso. (C1428EGA), CABA, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andres E Brunetti
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nestor G Basso
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral (IDEAus-CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - John D Lynch
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Martín O Pereyra
- División Herpetología. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’-CONICET., CABA, Argentina
| | - Gladys N Hermida
- Laboratorio Biología de Anfibios. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Piso. (C1428EGA), CABA, Argentina
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17
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Zornosa-Torres C, Toledo LF. Courtship Behavior and Advertisement Call Geographic Variation of Bokermannohyla luctuosa (Pombal Jr. and Haddad, 1993) (Hylidae, Cophomantini). SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-16-00057.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Zornosa-Torres
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109, 13083-970, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luís Felipe Toledo
- Laboratório de História Natural de Anfíbios Brasileiros, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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18
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Abstract
Amphibians are known to possess a wide variety of compounds stored in their skin glands. While significant progress has been made in understanding the chemical diversity and biological relevance of alkaloids, amines, steroids, and peptides, most aspects of the odorous secretions are completely unknown. In this study, we examined sexual variations in the volatile profile from the skin of the tree frog Boana prasina and combined culture and culture-independent methods to investigate if microorganisms might be a source of these compounds. We found that sesquiterpenes, thioethers, and methoxypyrazines are major contributors to the observed sex differences. We also observed that each sex has a distinct profile of methoxypyrazines, and that the chemical origin of these compounds can be traced to a Pseudomonas sp. strain isolated from the frog's skin. This symbiotic bacterium was present in almost all individuals examined from different sites and was maintained in captive conditions, supporting its significance as the source of methoxypyrazines in these frogs. Our results highlight the potential relevance of bacteria as a source of chemical signals in amphibians and contribute to increasing our understanding of the role that symbiotic associations have in animals.
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19
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Pinheiro PDP, Kok PJR, Noonan BP, Means DB, Haddad CFB, Faivovich J. A new genus of Cophomantini, with comments on the taxonomic status ofBoana liliae(Anura: Hylidae). Zool J Linn Soc 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zly030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paulo D P Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Departamento de Zoologia and Centro de Aquicultura, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Philippe J R Kok
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - D Bruce Means
- Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Célio F B Haddad
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Departamento de Zoologia and Centro de Aquicultura, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julián Faivovich
- División de Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’—CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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20
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Luna MC, Mcdiarmid RW, Faivovich J. From erotic excrescences to pheromone shots: structure and diversity of nuptial pads in anurans. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Celeste Luna
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ – CONICET, Ángel Gallardo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Roy W Mcdiarmid
- United States Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Julian Faivovich
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ – CONICET, Ángel Gallardo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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21
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Faivovich J, Pereyra MO, Luna MC, Hertz A, Blotto BL, Vásquez-Almazán CR, McCranie JR, Sánchez DA, Baêta D, Araujo-Vieira K, Köhler G, Kubicki B, Campbell JA, Frost DR, Wheeler WC, Haddad CF. On the Monophyly and Relationships of Several Genera of Hylini (Anura: Hylidae: Hylinae), with Comments on Recent Taxonomic Changes in Hylids. SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-17-00115.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julián Faivovich
- Division Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” —Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín O. Pereyra
- Division Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” —Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Celeste Luna
- Division Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” —Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andreas Hertz
- Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Boris L. Blotto
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, CEP 05508-090 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos R. Vásquez-Almazán
- Museo de Historia Natural, Escuela de Biología, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Calle Mariscal Cruz 1-56 zona 10, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
| | | | - David A. Sánchez
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
| | - Délio Baêta
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Zoologia and Centro de Aquicultura, Av. 24A 1515, CEP 13506-900, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katyuscia Araujo-Vieira
- Division Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” —Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gunther Köhler
- Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Brian Kubicki
- Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center, Guayacán, Provincia de Limón, Costa Rica
| | - Jonathan A. Campbell
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
| | - Darrel R. Frost
- Herpetology, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79 Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Ward C. Wheeler
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79 Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Célio F.B. Haddad
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Zoologia and Centro de Aquicultura, Av. 24A 1515, CEP 13506-900, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
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22
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Regueira E, Dávila C, Sassone AG, O'Donohoe MEA, Hermida GN. Post-metamorphic development of skin glands in a true toad: Parotoids versus dorsal skin. J Morphol 2017; 278:652-664. [PMID: 28165149 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Chemical defenses in amphibians are a common antipredatory and antimicrobial strategy related to the presence of dermal glands that synthesize and store toxic or unpalatable substances. Glands are either distributed throughout the skin or aggregated in multiglandular structures, being the parotoids the most ubiquitous macrogland in toads of Bufonidae. Even though dermal glands begin to develop during late-larval stages, many species, including Rhinella arenarum, have immature glands by the end of metamorphosis, and their post-metamorphic growth is unknown. Herein, we compared the post-metamorphic development of parotoids and dorsal glands by histological and allometric studies in a size series of R. arenarum. Histological and histochemical studies to detect proteins, acidic glycoconjugates, and catecholamines, showed that both, parotoids and dorsal glands, acquire characteristics of adults in individuals larger than 50 mm; that is, a moment in which the cryptic coloration disappears. Parotoid height increased allometrically as a function of body size, whereas the size of small dorsal glands decreased with body size. The number of glands in the dorsum was not linearly related to body size, appearing to be an individual characteristic. Only adult specimens had intraepithelial granular glands in the duct of the largest glands of the parotoids. Since toxic secretions accumulate in the central glands of parotoids, allometric growth of parotoids may translate into greater protection from predators in the largest animals. Conversely, large glands in the dorsum, which produce a proteinaceous secretion of unknown function, grow isometrically to body size. Some characteristics, like intraepithelial glands in the ducts and basophilic glands in the dorsum, are limited to adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Regueira
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Laboratorio de Biología de Anfibios-Histología Animal, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, C1428EGA, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, C1033AAJ, Argentina
| | - Camila Dávila
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Laboratorio de Biología de Anfibios-Histología Animal, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Alina G Sassone
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Laboratorio de Biología de Anfibios-Histología Animal, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - María E Ailín O'Donohoe
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Laboratorio de Biología de Anfibios-Histología Animal, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, C1428EGA, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, C1033AAJ, Argentina
| | - Gladys N Hermida
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Laboratorio de Biología de Anfibios-Histología Animal, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, C1428EGA, Argentina
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23
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Zamudio KR, Bell RC, Nali RC, Haddad CFB, Prado CPA. Polyandry, Predation, and the Evolution of Frog Reproductive Modes. Am Nat 2016; 188 Suppl 1:S41-61. [PMID: 27513910 DOI: 10.1086/687547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Frog reproductive modes are complex phenotypes that include egg/clutch characteristics, oviposition site, larval development, and sometimes, parental care. Two evident patterns in the evolution of these traits are the higher diversity of reproductive modes in the tropics and the apparent progression from aquatic to terrestrial reproduction, often attributed to higher fitness resulting from decreased predation on terrestrial eggs and tadpoles. Here, we propose that sexual selection-and not only natural selection due to predation-favors terrestrial breeding by reducing the loss of fitness due to polyandry. To examine this novel selective mechanism, we reconstructed the evolution of reproductive diversity in two frog families (Hylidae and Leptodactylidae) and tested for concerted evolution of egg and tadpole development sites with specific mating behaviors. We found that oviposition and tadpole development sites are evolving independently, do not show the same diversity and/or directionality in terms of terrestriality, and thus may be diversifying due to different selective mechanisms. In both families, terrestrial egg deposition is correlated with amplexus that is hidden from competing males, and in hylids, testes mass was significantly larger and more variable in males with exposed amplexus that are vulnerable to polyandry. Our results indicate that intrasexual selection has been an underappreciated mechanism promoting diversification of frog reproductive modes.
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24
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The Green Clade grows: A phylogenetic analysis of Aplastodiscus (Anura; Hylidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 97:213-223. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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25
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Brunetti AE, Hermida GN, Iurman MG, Faivovich J. Odorous secretions in anurans: morphological and functional assessment of serous glands as a source of volatile compounds in the skin of the treefrog Hypsiboas pulchellus (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae). J Anat 2016; 228:430-42. [PMID: 26555696 PMCID: PMC5341550 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Serous (granular or venom) glands occur in the skin of almost all species of adult amphibians, and are thought to be the source of a great diversity of chemical compounds. Despite recent advances in their chemistry, odorous volatile substances are compounds that have received less attention, and until now no study has attempted to associate histological data with the presence of these molecules in amphibians, or in any other vertebrate. Given the recent identification of 40 different volatile compounds from the skin secretions of H. pulchellus (a treefrog species that releases a strong odour when handled), we examined the structure, ultrastructure, histochemistry, and distribution of skin glands of this species. Histological analysis from six body regions reveals the presence of two types of glands that differ in their distribution. Mucous glands are homogeneously distributed, whereas serous glands are more numerous in the scapular region. Ultrastructural results indicate that electron-translucent vesicles observed within granules of serous glands are similar to those found in volatile-producing glands from insects and also with lipid vesicles from different organisms. Association among lipids and volatiles is also evidenced from chemical results, which indicate that at least some of the volatile components in H. pulchellus probably originate within the metabolism of fatty acids or the mevalonate pathway. As odorous secretions are often considered to be secreted under stress situations, the release of glandular content was assessed after pharmacological treatments, epinephrine administrated in vivo and on skin explants, and through surface electrical stimulation. Serous glands responded to all treatments, generally through an obvious contraction of myoepithelial cells that surround their secretory portion. No response was observed in mucous glands. Considering these morpho-functional results, along with previous identification of volatiles from H. pulchellus and H. riojanus after electrical stimulation, we suggest that the electron-translucent inclusions found within the granules of serous glands likely are the store sites of volatile compounds and/or their precursors. Histochemical and glandular distribution analyses in five other species of frogs of the hylid tribe Cophomantini, revealed a high lipid content in all the species, whereas a heterogeneous distribution of serous glands is only observed in species of the H. pulchellus group. The distribution pattern of serous glands in members of this species group, and the odorous volatile secretions are probably related to defensive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés E. Brunetti
- División HerpetologíaMuseo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ – CONICETBuenos AiresArgentina
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos (NPPNS)Departamento de Física e QuímicaFaculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão PretoUniversidade de São PauloRibeirão PretoSPBrazil
| | - Gladys N. Hermida
- Laboratorio Biología de Anfibios – Histología AnimalDepartamento de Biodiversidad y Biología ExperimentalFacultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad UniversitariaBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Mariana G. Iurman
- Laboratorio Biología de Anfibios – Histología AnimalDepartamento de Biodiversidad y Biología ExperimentalFacultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad UniversitariaBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Julián Faivovich
- División HerpetologíaMuseo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ – CONICETBuenos AiresArgentina
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología ExperimentalFacultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad UniversitariaBuenos AiresArgentina
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