Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus SmiliscaDuellman, William Edward
Science
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca
Duellman, William Edward
Amphibians -- Central America; Frogs; Smilisca
[Illustration: FIG. 9. Lateral view of the left jaw of _Smilisca
baudini_; _A. M. E. S._, adductor mandibulae externus
superficialis; _A. M. P. S._, adductor mandibulae posterior
subexternus; _Col._, columella; _D. M._ depressor mandibulae;
_M. B. T. N._, mandibular branch trigeminal nerve;
_Sq._, squamosal. KU 64214, x5.]
[Illustration: FIG. 10. Ventral view of throat musculature in an
adult male _Smilisca baudini_ (Superficial musculature on left,
deep musculature on right); _A. C._ anterior cornua of hyoid;
_Gen. L._, geniohyoideus lateralis; _Gen. M._, geniohyoideus
medialis; _Hyo._, hyoglossus; _Omo._, omosternum; _Pet._,
petrohyoideus; _S._, submentalis; _Sm._, submaxillaris;
_St._, sternohyoideus; _V. S._, vocal sac. KU 64220, x 2.5.]
_Throat Musculature._--The frogs that comprise the genus _Smilisca_ are
characterized by paired subgular vocal sacs, essentially the same as
those in _Triprion_ (Duellman and Klaas, 1964). The following
description is based on _Smilisca baudini_ (Fig. 10).
M. submentalis lies in the anterior angle of the lower jaw, is thick,
and consists of transverse fibers extending between the dentaries. M.
submaxillaris is thin and arises from the whole of the inner surface of
the lower jaw, except for the anterior angle occupied by M. submentalis.
Anteriorly M. submaxillaris is broadly attached by fascia to M.
hyoglossus and M. geniohyoideus, which lie dorsal to M. submaxillaris.
Medially this attachment continues posteriorly for about one-half the
length of the hyoglossus. Posteriorly M. submaxillaris is folded and
attached to M. sternoradialis of the pectoral girdle. The vocal sacs are
formed by a pair of posterolateral evaginations of M. submaxillaris; a
broad connection between the pouches allows free passage of air between
the pouches.
The deeper throat musculature is essentially the same as that described
for _Phrynohyas spilomma_ by Duellman (1956), except for slight
differences in the place of attachment on the hyoid.
Skin
_Structure_
The skin of _Smilisca_ is typical of that of most hylids in organization
and structure. _Smilisca sila_ is distinguished from other members of
the genus by the presence of small wartlike protrusions and peculiar
white, pustular spots on the dorsum. The wartlike structures are
composed of three or four epidermal cells, which protrude from the
surface of the epidermis; the structures are covered by a slightly
thickened layer of keratin. The white pustules are slightly elevated
above the surrounding skin. Internally they consist of aggregations of
swollen, granular, pigment-cells (perhaps lipophores) lying between the
epidermis and the melanophores.
_Biochemical Variations_
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