Phalanx morphology in salamanders: A reflection of microhabitat use, life cycle or evolutionary constraints?

Ponssa, María Laura; Fratani, Jéssica; Barrionuevo, J. Sebastián

doi:10.1016/j.zool.2022.126040

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…These ‘mushroom-tongued’ or ‘tropical lungless’ salamanders, as they are commonly known, are characterized by lacking a sublingual fold; having a very long and rapidly projected tongue; a tendency towards tarsal reductions; extensive webbing associated with climbing behavior; and fully terrestrial to arboreal habits ( Wake and Lynch 1976 ; Köhler 2011 ; Angarita-Sierra et al 2020 ; Ponssa et al 2022 ).These salamanders inhabit a variety of ecosystems, from lowland rainforests to highland areas, where they are particularly diverse in montane cloud forests and less so in paramo ecosystems ( Köhler 2011 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new Bolitoglossa (Amphibia, Caudata, Plethodontidae) from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

López-Perilla¹,

FERNÁNDEZ-ROLDÁN²,

Meza‐Joya³

et al. 2023

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A new salamander species of the genus Bolitoglossa is here described from the cloud forests of the western slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia, in the Cundinamarca department. The most salient characters of this new species are its numerous maxillary and vomerine teeth, its moderate webbing on hands and feet, its short and robust tail, and its chromatic variation. Based on molecular analyses this new species is assigned to the adspersa species group and its status established as the sister species of B. adspersa, with which it was previously confused. Lastly, the distribution, natural history, and conservation status of the new species are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new Bolitoglossa (Amphibia, Caudata, Plethodontidae) from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

López-Perilla¹,

FERNÁNDEZ-ROLDÁN²,

Meza‐Joya³

et al. 2023

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Unravelling drivers on the morphological diversification of the terminal phalanx in hyloid frogs

Ponssa,

Fratani,

Barrionuevo

2024

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

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The anuran locomotor system integrates traits that are influenced by phylogenetic, ecological, and development constraints. Given their significance to locomotion, we studied terminal phalange morphology in the Hyloidea group. We aim to deduce if morphological variability stems from phylogenetic, ecological, or life-cycle constraints. We explore the influence of size on variation and assess if evolutionary rates and shape disparities differ among the groups under consideration. Finally, we optimized phalangeal morphology within the phylogenetic framework to delineate evolutionary trends. We included 424 specimens of 128 species representing 17 families of Hyloidea and two of non-hyloid anurans. Configuration of the terminal phalanx was quantified using geometric morphometrics and characterized through qualitative traits. We established four categories based on microhabitats and locomotor abilities. Our life-cycle categorization distinguishes species by their consistent or changing microhabitat across larval and adult stages. The results show a complex scenario, where certain clades occupy distinct regions of morphospace, but there is also a relationship between phalangeal shape, microhabitats, and locomotor abilities. However, both the phylogenetic signal and the relationship with microhabitats and locomotor abilities are not particularly robust. Species inhabiting arboreal microhabitats develop convergent traits to thrive in this niche, such as rounded proximal epiphysis and the claw-shaped phalanx. Morphological disparity was higher in walkers, which also includes arboreal species, prompting further questions on the demands of locomotion in vertical substrates.

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Are juveniles full-scale replicas of adults? Evaluation of anuran special locomotion and digging adaptations during and after metamorphosis

Reis,

Fratani,

Ponssa

2024

Can. J. Zool.

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Many species of anurans display special mechanical abilities, such as excavation and climbing. The aim of this study is to investigate the development of traits that are associated with these special mechanical abilities, under the hypothesis that these structures attain their configuration during the juvenile stages of development. We examined specimens from four different species of Leptodactylidae and six species of Hylidae. For the digging behavior, we evaluated the progress of calcification in the anterior region of the skulls, as well as the development of the snout-ridge. To assess climbing ability, we examined the ossification rate, the variation in the shape of the phalanx, the progress of the offset angle, and the distance between the terminal phalanx and the penultimate phalange of finger IV. The ossification of the skull and phalanges, along with the development of the snout-ridge, progresses and reaches completion during the juvenile phase of ontogeny, suggesting that at the time of metamorphosis, individuals are not yet full-scale replicas of the adults. The shape and the mechanical characteristics of terminal phalanges are already established by the conclusion of metamorphosis, revealing intriguing distinctions among arboreal species with walking and jumping locomotion.

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Phalanx morphology in salamanders: A reflection of microhabitat use, life cycle or evolutionary constraints?

Cited by 3 publications

References 74 publications

A new Bolitoglossa (Amphibia, Caudata, Plethodontidae) from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

A new Bolitoglossa (Amphibia, Caudata, Plethodontidae) from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

Unravelling drivers on the morphological diversification of the terminal phalanx in hyloid frogs

Are juveniles full-scale replicas of adults? Evaluation of anuran special locomotion and digging adaptations during and after metamorphosis

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Phalanx morphology in salamanders: A reflection of microhabitat use, life cycle or evolutionary constraints?

Cited by 3 publications

References 74 publications

﻿A new Bolitoglossa (Amphibia, Caudata, Plethodontidae) from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

﻿A new Bolitoglossa (Amphibia, Caudata, Plethodontidae) from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

Unravelling drivers on the morphological diversification of the terminal phalanx in hyloid frogs

Are juveniles full-scale replicas of adults? Evaluation of anuran special locomotion and digging adaptations during and after metamorphosis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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A new Bolitoglossa (Amphibia, Caudata, Plethodontidae) from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

A new Bolitoglossa (Amphibia, Caudata, Plethodontidae) from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia