The Tadpole of Leptobrachium hasseltii Tschudi. 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae): Morphometry and larval developmental stage as identification character of species

Abstract

One of the largest known amphibian tadpoles was identified based on its morphological characters. The tadpoles of Leptobrachium hasseltii Tschudi. 1838 specimens collected from Kembang Soka Waterfall Tourism Park. Kulon Progo Regency. Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. were described in detail using morphometric data and the larval developmental stage of its labial tooth row formula. This study aimed to identify the development of morphology. morphometry. and oral apparatus of Leptobrachium hasseltii tadpoles. Eighty seven specimens were observed in this study. Observations were performed on specimens between Gosner stage of stage 25 and stage 40. Leptobrachium hasseltii underwent a drastic morphometry development from the initial stage 25 to the final stage 25. Morphologically. myotom and myosepta that were not seen at the initial stage 25 were clearly visible in the final stage 25. In the oral apparatus it was found that in stage 25 the initial papilla and tooth series were not fully developed. In addition. there was a variation in the labial tooth row formula at the initial stage 25. The tooth formula between final stage 25 and stage 40 was found to be a stable and could be used as an identification character of the species during larval stage.