Larval Body Shape and Eye Size Variation in Japanese Toads (Anura: Bufonidae: Bufo): An Ecological Implication for Lentic and Lotic Habitats.

Abstract

Variation in morphological traits of anurans has evolved due to the pressures imposed by inhabiting different environments. The Japanese stream toad, Bufo torrenticola, breeds in running water, such as mountain streams, where the larvae grow. This lotic-breeding habit of B. torrenticola was suggested to have evolved from a lentic-breeding ancestor. Evolutionary shift of breeding habit from lentic- to lotic-breeding caused larval morphological changes to adapt to the stream habitat. However, morphological adaptation associated with the larval habitat of these three types of Japanese toads has not been explored well. In this study, we applied geometric morphometrics and distance measurements to compare body and eye characters among the tadpoles of three Japanese toads. The results showed that B. torrenticola has more dorsally and posteriorly positioned eyes, and a longer and wider rostrum because of having a larger mouth and more-developed oral muscles than its close relatives. These characters might be related to lotic lifestyle. Meanwhile, tadpoles of B. torrenticola and its sister taxon B. japonicus japonicus showed similar eye growth pattern, supporting their close phylogenetic relationship. Some of the lotic-adapted characters have also been reported in other lotic tadpoles, which is indicative of convergent evolution among stream-adapted tadpoles.