COMPARATIVE ONTOGENY OF THE TEGUMENTARY SYSTEM OF RHINELLA SCHNEIDERI (ANURA: BUFONIDAE), LEPTODACTYLUS CHAQUENSIS (ANURA: LEPTODACTYLIDAE) AND SCINAX ACUMINATUS (ANURA: SCINAXIDAE)

CUZZIOL BOCCIONI, ANA PAULA; OLEA GABRIELA; GOMEZ, MA. LUJAN; CESPEDEZ, JORGE ABEL; LOMBARDO DANIEL; CLAVER JUAN

BUENOS AIRES

Congreso; Reunión conjunta de sociedades de biociencias; 2017

Sociedad Argentina de Biología

Profound changes and complexation of anurans tegument accompanymorphological, physiological and behavioral modificationsthat take place during metamorphosis. Also, its structure allows interpretingspecific biological characteristics of the habitat of eachspecies. The objective of this work was to analyze comparativelythe external morphology and histology of the tegument during theontogeny of Rhinella schneideri (Rs), Leptodactylus chaquensis (Lc)and Scinax acuminatus (Sc). Larval, juvenile and adult specimensof the species were analyzed in stereoscopic magnifying glass andscanning electron microscopy (SEM) to establish macro-structuralcomparisons. Histological sections were obtained by a conventionaltechnique and were stained with H&E, Mallory Trichrome, and PASfor contrast tissue aspects. The three species coincided in generaltegument configuration (epidermis and dermis), and its changes thatgo through ontogeny. Significant differences were found in presenceand time of appearance of specialized structures. Giant cells associatedwith gregarious behavior were recorded at different larvalstages for Rs and Ls. Multicellular glandular outlines appeared inpro-metamorphosis for Rs and Sa, but just in the metamorphic climaxfor Lc. Tubercles and spines were described for Rs, pustulesand minor protuberances for Sa and a smooth tegument withoutmacroscopic specializations for Lc. The mucosal glandular contentmatch the serous one in Lc, while the others two species had higherserous contents. That agrees with the habitat of each species,mostly associated with water bodies and terrestrial surroundings,respectively. This work will serve as a basis for future comparativestudies with other anurans and for ecomorphological analyses thatwill deepen in the relationship between the skin properties, the wayof life and habitat of species.