The hairy frog, a curly fighter? - A novel hypothesis on the function of hairs and claw-like terminal phalanges, including their biological and systematic significance (Anura: Arthroleptidae: Trichobatrachus)

作者：Barej Michael F^*; Boehme Wolfgang; Perry Steven F; Wagner Philipp; Schmitz Andreas

来源：Revue Suisse de Zoologie, 2010, 117(2): 243-263.

DOI：10.5962/bhl.part.117784

• Amphibia
• Anura
• Arthroleptidae
• Trichobatrachus
• Cameroon
• Hairy Frog
• Functional Morphology
• Combat Behaviour
• Histology
• Osteology

The hairy frog, a curly fighter? A novel hypothesis on the function of hairs and claw-like terminal phalanges, including their biological and systematic significance (Anura: Arthroleptidae: Trichobatrachus). - The Central African Hairy Frog Trichobatrachus robustus Boulenger, 1900 possesses two morphological peculiarities, its unique hair-like dermal appendages, and claw-like terminal phalanges also known from related genera. We review formerly published data on claw-like terminal phalanges in arthroleptid frogs and discuss their systematic significance, pointing out that recent phylogenies do not support close relationships of genera with this unique structure. Moreover, we review data on the structure and function of the "hairs" and provide new data. Finally we present a novel hypothesis on the use of claws and "hairs". Greater male size and the peculiar structure of the dermal appendages (the "hairs") would support a possible use of the claws as weapons in aggressive male-male interactions, the "hairs" serving as mechanical protection.

• 出版日期2010-6