Developmental patterns and skeletal morphology in Bornean species of microhyla

• Main Author: Nurul Amirah, Hassan
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS) 2015
• Subjects: QL Zoology
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/34300/3/Nurul%20Amirah.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/34300/

The skeletal development and morphology of juveniles and adults of selected Microhyla species were examined. The adult of Microhyla nepenthicola and Microhyla borneensis were described by Das and Haas and Matsui to be a miniature. The cranial and postcranial adult elements of these species, as well as development and morphology were described through a modified clearing and staining technique by Dingerkus and Uhler. The solution used and soaking time were starderdized with lower dosage and less time soaking. The state of ossified skeletal elements in individual specimens including some measurements for skeletal morphology are documented by referring to Duellman and Trueb. This study found that the ossification in Microhyla nepenthicola was well developed in adult stage than in juvenile stage especially the cranial elements such as the nasals, maxilla and premaxilla and postcranial elements such as the sacrum, scapula, ilium, urostyle and phalanges of hands and feet. In addition, the comparison in the skeletal development of Microhyla nepenthicola and Microhyla borneensis, found no differential characteristics of cranial and postcranial skeletons.