Digit ratio in the common toad Bufo bufo: the effects of reduced fingers and of age dependency.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Despite the growing number of studies describing digit ratio patterns in tetrapods, knowledge concerning certain basic issues is still scarce. In lower vertebrates such as tailless amphibians (Anura), the numbering of individual fingers on the forelimbs and their homology with the fingers of other vertebrates pose an unsolved problem. Based on reviewed data on anuran limb development, we argue that the correct finger numbering scheme should be based on the assumption that the first finger, not the fifth finger, was reduced on the forelimbs. We analyzed the digit ratio in the common toad (Bufo bufo, Bufonidae), a species characterized by well-developed sexual dimorphism whereby females are larger than males, using both numbering schemes present in the literature.

Res

SUBMITTER: Kaczmarski M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7992345 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature