File:The biology of the amphibia (1931) (20356045516).jpg

Title: The biology of the amphibia
Identifier: biologyofamphibi00nobl (find matches)
Year: 1931 (1930s)
Authors: Noble, Gladwyn Kingsley, 1894-1940
Subjects: Amphibians
Publisher: New York : McGraw-Hill
Contributing Library: ASC - York University Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: York University - University of Toronto Libraries

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164 THE BIOLOGY OF THE AMPHIBIA ably vascularized, the capillaries penetrating almost to the outer surface of the epidermis (Fig. 62). These folds are often waved back and forth by the submerged animal in a manner suggesting the gill movements of such forms as Necturus. Similar body folds occur in the aquatic Andean frog, Batrachophrynus. The larva of Xenopus is provided with a pair of long vascular barbels which have been credited with primarily tactile and not respiratory functions (Nikitin, 1925). Only in the "Hairy Frog" of Africa,
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 63.—The 'Hairy Frog' Astylosternus robustus receives its name from the thick growth of vascular villosities which develop in the male during the breeding season. These are respiratory organs which compensate for the reduced lungs of this species at the time of the year when the metabolism of frogs increases. Astylosternus robustus do vascular papillae occur which resemble the finer branches of gills (Fig. 63). These are found only in the male and apparently compensate for the greatly reduced lungs of this frog. Their elaboration during the breeding season is to be explained by the increased metabolism during this season and the need for oxygen by the very muscular males. The villosities which occur on the thighs and flanks resemble those which develop on the hind limbs of the brooding male, Le pi do- siren, where they assist this fish to secure sufficient oxygen without leaving the egg burrow. Lungs.—Gills and integumental filaments occur only in aquatic forms. On land the villosities would stick together and would greatly reduce the respiratory area. Those that remained

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