Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus SmiliscaDuellman, William Edward
Science
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca
Duellman, William Edward
Amphibians -- Central America; Frogs; Smilisca
_Hyoid._--The hyoid plate is curved, thin, and mostly cartilaginous, but
calcined posteriorly (Fig. 6). The anterior cornua are slender,
cartilaginous, and curve anteromedially from the hyoid plate and thence
laterally and posteriorly, to attach to the posterior surface of the
prooetics. The lateral cornua are broad, flat, cartilaginous lateral
extensions from the bases of the anterior cornua. The posterior cornua
are bony, except distally.
[Illustration: FIG. 6. Ventral view of hyoid apparatus of an adult
male _Smilisca baudini_ showing areas of muscle attachment: _Gen.
L._, attachment of geniohyoideus lateralis; _Gen. M._, attachment
of geniohyoideus medialis; _Hyo._, attachment of hyoglossus; _Omo._,
attachment of omohyoideus; _Pet._, petrohyoideus; _St._, attachment
of sternohyoideus. KU 64220, x5.]
_Vertebral Column._--The atlas lacks transverse processes and a neural
crest, whereas transverse processes are present on the other seven
presacral vertebrae, and knoblike neural crests are present on the
second, third, and fourth vertebrae; a faint neural ridge is visible on
the fifth vertebra. The transverse processes are directed laterally on
the second and sixth vertebrae, ventrolaterally on the third,
posterolaterally on the fourth and fifth, and anterolaterally on the
seventh and eighth. The processes are slightly expanded on the fourth,
and more so on the fifth, vertebra. The sacral diapophyses are expanded
and have a border of calcified cartilage laterally. There are two sacral
condyles. The slender coccyx has a thin dorsal ridge on the anterior
three-fourths of its length.
_Pectoral Girdle._--The omosternum is large, ovoid, and cartilaginous;
the sternum is a thin cartilaginous sheet deeply notched posteriorly and
is not differentiated into episternal and xiphisternal elements. The
coracoids are robust, twice as stout as the clavicles. The epicoracoidal
cartilages overlap in the usual arciferal manner, except that they are
fused anteriorly between the slender clavicles. The clavicles are
strongly arched. The clavicle, coracoid, and scapula on each side form a
bony articulation at the glenoid fossa. A bifurcation of the ventral end
of the scapula results in a large glenoid foramen. The scapula is flat
and expanded dorsally; the suprascapula is broad, flat, and calcified in
large adults. In young specimens no distinct ossification of the
cleithrum or ossification of endochondral centers are evident.
_Arm and Hand._--The humerus is equally well-developed in both sexes and
has a prominent lateral crest. The radius and ulna are completely fused.
A bony prepollex is present in both sexes. The metacarpals are about
equal in length. The phalangeal formula is 2-2-3-3; the terminal
phalanges are claw-shaped.
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