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The Anatomy of the Head of the New Zealand Frog, Leiopelma
Author(s) -
Stephenson Elsie M.
Publication year - 1951
Publication title -
the transactions of the zoological society of london
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0084-5620
DOI - 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1951.tb00230.x
Subject(s) - neurocranium , anatomy , quadrate bone , head (geology) , biology , skull , paleontology
Summary. An attempt has been made to present a full account of the anatomy of the head (exclusive of the inner ear) of Leiopelma. Material from two species, Leiopelma archeyi and Leiopelma hochstetteri , has been studied and the head of the latter is here described for the first time. As far as possible, comparison has been made with the head of Ascaphus , the only other genus included in the same primitive anuran family. Specific differences between Leiopelma archeyi and Leiopelma hochstetteri are described and listed. A possible homology is suggested between the processus lingularis of Anura and Seydel's palatal process of Urodela. Particular emphasis is placed on the controversial topic of the basal connection between the quadrate and the neurocranium. An historical account of previous ideas on this subject is included, followed by a discussion based on the view that the ‘basal’ or ‘pseudobasal’ process of Leiopelma , together with the ledge of cartilage forming the floor of the hyomandibular canal, are of hyoid origin.