Description of the Tadpole of the Critically Endangered Ethiopian Toad Altiphrynoides osgoodi (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae)
The tadpole of Altiphrynoides osgoodi is described on the basis of material collected in 1975 near Goba, Ethiopia. The tadpole resembles typical bufonid tadpoles in its general shape and size, but differs in several characters from other known African bufonid tadpoles. It is characterized by very large nostrils and an indistinct (in preservative), but long, slitlike spiracular aperture. The buccopharyngeal morphology is overall similar to that reported for other African bufonids and shows the most similarities with Schismaderma carens. The gut of a Gosner stage 34 tadpole contained items that were apparently ingested as well as large amounts of yolk within the intestinal tissue, suggesting that A. osgoodi tadpoles may be facultatively nonfeeding.Abstract
Oral disc (A); lateral (B) and dorsal (C) view of a Gosner stage 34 tadpole of Altiphrynoides osgoodi. Scale bar = 0.2 mm in (A) and 2 mm in (B) and (C).
Scanning electron microscope images of the (A) buccal roof and (B) buccal floor of a Gosner stage 34 tadpole of Altiphrynoides osgoodi. Inset in (A) shows a close-up of a keratodont. Scale bars in (A) and (B) = 0.5 mm, and 10 μm in the inset.
Histological section through the abdomen of a Gosner stage 34 tadpole of Altiphrynoides osgoodi. The inset shows the overall organ topology and the enlargement shows several gut cross-sections. Note the thick gut epithelium and the numerous yolk granules (some indicated by arrowheads) contained within the cells. The arrows indicate ingested material within the intestinal lumen. Scale bar = 200 μm.
