Tendones en anuros

JESSICA FRATANI; MARIA LAURA PONSSA; VIRGINIA ABDALA

Tucumán

Congreso; XVI Congreso Argentino de Herpetología; 2015

Thisstudy offers a first approach into the general morphology of theanuran tendon system as integral and independent from the muscularand skeletal systems. Using as an example the most superficial layerof the postcranium of Leptodactyluslatinasus,we demonstrate that leader tendons can be visualized as an anatomicalsystem connected through muscles and/or fascia. By comparing thetendinous structures of L.latinasuswith other 44 species of leptodactylid frogs, it became apparent theimportant influence that phylogeny has in driving morphologicalvariation. Our data provided no evidence for a direct relationshipbetween morphometric data and ecological or functional characters.The optimization of continuous and qualitative charactersdemonstrated a pattern of intermediate values and shapes for theancestors of Leptodactylus.These results are evidence that a general and stable morphologicalconfiguration of tendons is adequate to enable versatile locomotormode and habitat use.