Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Hyperossification in Miniaturized Toadlets of the genus Brachycephalus (Amphibia: Anura: Brachycephalidae): Microscopic Structure and Macroscopic Patterns of Variation

Full text
Author(s):
Clemente-Carvalho, Rute B. G. [1] ; Antoniazzi, Marta M. [2] ; Jared, Carlos [2] ; Haddad, Celio F. B. [3] ; Alves, Ana C. R. [3] ; Rocha, Henrique S. [4] ; Pereira, Gabriela R. [4] ; Oliveira, Davi F. [4] ; Lopes, Ricardo T. [4] ; dos Reis, Sergio F. [5]
Total Authors: 10
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Programa Posgrad Genet & Biol Mol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Inst Butantan, Lab Biol Celular, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Zool, BR-13506900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Lab Instrumentacao Nucl, BR-21945970 Rio De Janeiro - Brazil
[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Parasitol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Morphology; v. 270, n. 11, p. 1285-1295, NOV 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 23
Abstract

Species of the genus Brachycephalus, have a snout-vent length of less than 18 mm and are believed to have evolved through miniaturization. Brachycephalus ephippium, is particularly interesting; because its entire skull is hyperossified, and the presacral vertebrae and transverse processes are covered by a dorsal shield. We demonstrate in this paper that, at the macroscopic level, a completely hyperossified skull and dorsal shield occur only in B. ephippium, but not in B. ferruginus, B. izechsohni, B. pernix, B. pombali, B. brunneus, B. didactylus, and B. hermogenesi. An intermediate condition, in which the skull is hyperossified but a dorsal shield is absent, occurs in B. vertebralis, B. nodoterga, B. pitanga, and B. alipioi. The microscopic structure of hyperossification was examined in skulls of B. ephippium and B. pitanga, revealing a complex organization involving the presence of Sharpey fibers, which in humans are characteristic of periodontal connections. J. Morphol. 270:1285-1295, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 03/12396-4 - Systematic taxonomy and evolution of Brachycephalus (Amphibia: Anura: Brachycephalidae)
Grantee:Ana Claudia Reis Alves
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 08/50928-1 - Speciation of frogs in high-altitude environments
Grantee:Célio Fernando Baptista Haddad
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants