Ecomorphology of the pectoral girdle in anurans (Amphibia, Anura): Shape diversity and biomechanical considerations.

ABSTRACT: Frogs and toads (Lissamphibia: Anura) show a diversity of locomotor modes that allow them to inhabit a wide range of habitats. The different locomotor modes are likely to be linked to anatomical specializations of the skeleton within the typical frog Bauplan. While such anatomical adaptations of the hind limbs and the pelvic girdle are comparably well understood, the pectoral girdle received much less attention in the past. We tested for locomotor-mode-related shape differences in the pectoral girdle bones of 64 anuran species by means of micro-computed-tomography-based geometric morphometrics. The pectoral girdles of selected species were analyzed with regard to the effects of shape differences on muscle moment arms across the shoulder joint and stress dissipation within the coracoid. Phy

SUBMITTER: Engelkes K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7593145 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature