Larval morphology and development of the Malagasy frog Mantidactylus betsileanus.

SALAMANDRA 49(4): 186–200. ISSN 0036–3375.

Abstract.

The Mantellidae is a species-rich family of neobatrachian frogs endemic to Madagascar and Mayotte. Although tadpoles have been described from many mantellids, detailed studies of their early embryonic development are rare. We provide a documentation of the developmental stages of Mantidactylus betsileanus, a common mantellid frog of Madagascar’s eastern rainforests, based on clutches deposited and raised in captivity. Metamorphosis was completed after 89 days on average. External gills were not recognizable in the embryos, similar to three other, previously studied mantellids, which apparently constitutes a difference to the mantellid sister group, the Rhacophoridae. We also provide updated descriptions of the species’ larval morphology at stage 25 and stage 36, respectively, from captive bred and wild-caught individuals, and report variations in the keratodont row formula from 0/2, 1/1, 1/3 to 1:1+1/3.

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