EMBRYONIC SURFACE CILIATED CELLS IN ELEUTHERODACTYLUS URICHI (ANURA: LEPTODACTYLIDAE)

Document Type: Research Note

Author

Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, I. R. of Iran, 71454

Abstract

While our knowledge of anuran embryonic and larval surface ciliation and their diversity of
ciliation patterns are significant, very few references were noticed on embryonic ciliation in direct-developing
anurans, such as species in the genus Eleutherodactylus. Eleutherodactylus urichi embryos were found to
have surface ciliated cells during much of their development until a few days before hatching. Ciliation was
most prominent on the pharyngeal region and on the tail fins, both regions believed to have a respiratory role,
and supporting the hypothesis that embryonic ciliation in amphibians serves principally to aid respiration by
moving intracapsular fluid. The limb-buds were also well ciliated, an evolutionary novelty since in most
anurans with a tadpole stage, surface ciliation regresses before limbs show significant development.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Science and Technology (Sciences)

Volume 30, Issue 1
Winter 2006
Pages 133-137

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