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1 August 2014 Hylid Tadpoles from the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola: Ontogeny, Description and Comparison of External Morphology
Pedro A. Galvis, Santiago J. Sánchez-Pacheco, Jhon Jairo Ospina-Sarria, Marvin Anganoy-Criollo, José Gil, Marco Rada
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Abstract

The island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) is home to four endemic species of treefrogs: Hypsiboas heilprini, Osteopilus dominicensis, O. pulchrilineatus and O. vastus. These species occur sympatrically over large areas below 1,850 m elevation and are commonly encountered together. We redescribe the external larval morphology of O. dominicensis, O. vastus, and Hybsiboas heilprini, and describe the tadpole of O. pulchrilineatus for the first time based on laboratory-reared specimens representing stages from early—late metamorphosis. Some tadpoles were raised to adults in order to confirm species identity. We document intraspecific variation in labial tooth-rows formulas, report ontogenetic changes in coloration, compare tadpoles of related species, and provide an identification key to the hylid tadpoles of Hispaniola. Hispaniolan hylid tadpoles inhabit fast-running streams or pools. Whereas the lotic larvae of O. vastus and H. heilprini exhibit characteristics commonly associated with flowing water (robust body with strong tail musculature, small to medium fins, relatively enlarged oral disc, increased number of labial tooth rows, and complete marginal papillae), the lentic tadpoles of O. dominicensis and O. pulchrilineatus are characterized by morphological adaptations to ponds (medium-sized body and tail musculature, high fins, small oral disc, fewer number of labial tooth rows and incomplete marginal papillae). Consequently, the tadpole of O. vastus is more similar to that of H. heilprini than it is to its congeners.

©2014 Brazilian Society of Herpetology
Pedro A. Galvis, Santiago J. Sánchez-Pacheco, Jhon Jairo Ospina-Sarria, Marvin Anganoy-Criollo, José Gil, and Marco Rada "Hylid Tadpoles from the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola: Ontogeny, Description and Comparison of External Morphology," South American Journal of Herpetology 9(2), 154-169, (1 August 2014). https://doi.org/10.2994/SAJH-D-14-00018.1
Received: 3 June 2014; Accepted: 1 August 2014; Published: 1 August 2014
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