Malformations in the Mexican Leaf Frog, Agalychnis dacnicolor Cope 1864 (Anura: Phyllomedusidae), from Sinaloa, Mexico

Abstract

A bnormalities in amphibians have generated interest in the scientific community among those who seek to determine whether the causes are anthropogenic or not. Abnormalities fall into two main categories: malformations that consist of permanent structural defects resulting from abnormal development, and deformities that are disturbances of a properly formed structure (Meteyer 2000). Some factors that have been recognized and questioned as causing these abnormalities are infestation by parasites, environmental contaminants, selective predation, inbreeding, and high levels of ultraviolet radiation (Aguillón-Gutiérrez 2018). Even though some etiological agents are common, few studies have been published on these abnormalities in Mexico (Venerozo-Tlazalo et al. 2022).

Anomalies and parasite infestation in the Canyon Tree Frog <i>Dryophytes arenicolor</i> Cope 1866 (Anura: Hylidae) from Mexico

“…The only previous report of an anomaly in a Mexican Canyon Treefrog was a case of polyphalangy in central Mexico (Monroy-Vilchis et al 2015). However, three instances of anomalies have recently been reported in Sinaloa for a Mesoamerican Giant Toad (Rhinella horribilis), Forrer's Leopard Frog (Lithobates forreri), and Mexican Leaf Frog (Agalychnis dacnicolor) (Castro-Bastidas et al 2022a, 2022bMorales-Lugo et al 2022).…”

“…Such anomalies in amphibians may be caused by mutations or failures or trauma during embryonic development; causes include predator attacks, parasitic infections, viruses, and exposure to chemical contaminants or ultraviolet radiation (Aguillón-Gutiérrez 2018). In Mexico, such cases have been recorded for 18 species of amphibians, most of them in the family Hylidae (Morales-Lugo et al 2022;Venerozo-Tlazalo et al 2022).…”