Chondrification and osteological development of vertebral column in tadpoles of Microhyla ornata

Abstract

Chondrification and osteological development of vertebral column in the ornate frog, Microhyla ornata tadpoles has been studied by differential staining. At early stages of development the bones of vertebral column develop as cartilaginous structures. At different stages after chondrification, ossification starts in different components of the axial skeleton. The vertebral column ossifies between Taylor-Kollros stages XV and XXV. Chondrification as well as ossification occur proximodistally.