The iliosacral articulation in Pseudinae (Anura: Hylidae)

MANZANO, A.S. AND M. BARG

HERPETOLOGICA

The Herpetologists’ League, Inc

Lugar: Emporia State University, Emporia, USA; Año: 2005 vol. 61 p. 259 - 267

0018-0831

Abstract:  We analyzed the iliosacral joint and iliolumbaris muscle anatomy of the species of Pseudinae, based on the two types of articulations defined by Emerson. Unusual characters should be expected in the pseudine iliosacral articulation structure, given their aquatic habits and evolutionary history. In fact, the presence of a ligamentous cap joining the ilium with the sacral diapophysis has not been described previously, and may be unique to pseudines. This particular group lacks a single pattern of iliosacral articulation for the whole subfamily, and the articulations are not strictly referable to any of the types or subtypes described by Emerson. The iliosacral articulation is interspecifically variable within  Pseudinae and is intermediate between the articulations of Type IIA and IIB.