Early development of two species of Phyllomedusa (Anura: Phyllomedusinae)

Abstract

We present a comparative study of the early development of Phyllomedusa azurea and P. sauvagii, in order to discuss morphological and ontogenetic variations of ecological and systematic interest. Similarities between the species include the large, yolk-rich eggs, the curled embryos at tail bud stage, the large external gills, and the sequential development of mouthparts. The main difference lies in the morphology and development of adhesive glands. Most of these characters can be related to leaf nest spawning and a long intracapsular period. The plasticity in the time of hatching (as observed in the related genus Agalychnis), and its relation to embryonic and larval morphology and ecology remain open questions in this genus.