‘The Linea masculina,’ a new secondary sex character in Salientia

A hitherto unknown secondary sex character in male frogs consists of a series of connective tissue bands which extends the entire length of both layers of the Obliquus muscle, at both their dorsal and ventral borders. Extensions of the ventral bands may be carried inward toward the midline at certain of the inscriptiones tendinae. These bands are named the Lineae masculinae. They are clearly visible in specimens from which the skin has been removed, and are visible even through the skin in living specimens of certain species of Kaloula. Ninety‐one genera and 553 species of the frogs and toads of the world were examined for the presence or absence of this structure. It is distinct in the common American and European ranids, such as Rana pipiens and Rana esculenta. It is entirely absent in many genera. When present it is found only in adult males, being absent in sexually immature males and females of all ages. Examination revealed no seasonal variations in males of Rana pipiens. This indicates that there is some correlation between the expression of this character and the sexual hormones. No function is assigned to the Linea masculina, although it is suggested that it may be associated in some way with voice production. A discussion of the taxonomic distribution of the character is included.