Ganglioside variations in amphibian brain tissue

Variation in the content and pattern of brain gangliosides from three anurans and two urodeles was analysed by thin-layer chromatography. The pattern for all three anurans was basically similar, though quantitative differences among species were detected. Ganglioside patterns from the two salamanders were distinctively different from that of the anurans and from one another, and more closely resembled the patterns seen in other tetrapods. Ganglioside variations in amphibians appear to reflect phylogenetic relationships better than life history or ecological factors.