Descrição da anatomia bucofaríngea e esquelética do girino de Boana multifasciata (Gunther, 1859) (anura: hylidae)

Abstract

Boana multifasciata is a hylid frog widely distributed across South America and was described nearly two centuries ago. Despite this, knowledge of its larval stage remains limited to descriptions of the tadpole’s external morphology, with no available information on its internal anatomy. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe the anatomy of the buccopharyngeal cavity, chondrocranium, and hyobranchial apparatus of B. multifasciata tadpoles, based on specimens collected in Chapada das Mesas National Park, Maranhão, Brazil. Tadpoles were collected from temporary ponds in November 2023. Two specimens were dissected for the description of the buccopharyngeal anatomy, while two others were cleared and stained for the description of the chondrocranium. The anatomy of the buccopharyngeal cavity and chondrocranium exhibited features consistent with previous descriptions for tadpoles of the genus and the tribe Cophomantini. However, variations were observed in the shape, number, and configuration of certain structures which, when considered together, have high taxonomic value for species identification. In addition, we propose two new potential synapomorphies for the tribe Cophomantini, observed in the chondrocranium. Thus, the data presented here partially fill the gap in knowledge regarding the larval stage of B. multifasciata, while highlighting the importance of larval characters in taxonomic studies and their potential for future phylogenetic reconstructions of the group.