Premium
Osseous pathologies in the lungless salamander Desmognathus fuscus (Plethodontidae)
Author(s) -
Danto Marylène,
Witzmann Florian,
Fröbisch Nadia B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/azo.12331
Subject(s) - biology , vertebral column , anatomy , clearance , hypoplasia , salamander , vertebra , zoology , medicine , urology
The majority of reported pathologies in lissamphibians (salamanders, caecilians and frogs) include limb deformities such as missing limbs, multiple extra limbs and digits, or incomplete limb formation. However, comparatively little is known about congenital vertebral malformations or posttraumatic pathologies (e.g. injuries, infections) in the vertebral column of salamanders. In the present study, we describe eight vertebral deformities in three cleared and stained specimens of Desmognathus fuscus . Two specimens display developmental deformities which range from a potential non‐segmented wedge vertebra to fully segmented hemivertebrae. The vertebral pathology in the third specimens possibly results from a parasitic infection. Apparently, these osseous deformities were not severe enough to prohibit survival of the specimens.