The tadpole of Osteocephalus cabrerai (Anura: Hylidae) from central Amazonia, Brazil

Abstract

Herein we describe the tadpoles of Osteocephalus cabrerai based on 37 individuals of eight different development stages. We provide comments on spawning sites and breeding period, and compare these tadpoles with those of congeners. The tadpole of O. cabrerai (Stage 39) is characterized by an ovoid body, elongated in lateral view and oval in dorsal view. The snout is rounded, the nostrils oval and the eyes lateral. The tail length is 67% of total length. The larva has a single, sinistral spiracle that is ventrolateral in position. The short vent tube is dextral and attached to the ventral fin. The anteroventral oral disc has marginal and submarginal papillae and a labial tooth row formula 2(2)/6(1). Tadpoles inhabit streams in terra firme forest.

Keywords

• Breeding site
• larval morphology
• terra firme forest