Postembryonic ontogeny of the spadefoot toad,Scaphiopus intermontanus (Anura: Pelobatidae): Skeletal morphology

Postembryonic skeletal ontogeny of the pelobatid frog Scaphiopus intermontanus is described based on a developmental series of cleared-and-stained, whole-mount specimens. The focus is on laboratory-reared individuals fed a herbivorous diet as larvae. Although there is variation in the timing of ossification of individual skeletal elements relative to developmental stages based on external morphological criteria, the sequence of skeletal development generally is conservative. Compared with its close relative, S. bombifrons, ossifications that occur during prometamorphosis tend to be slightly delayed in S. intermontanus; however, cranial bones that ossify during late metamorphic climax in S. intermontanus are delayed until postmetamorphosis in S. bombifrons. The differences in timing between the two species are consistent, however, with differences observed between two developmental series of S. intermontanus raised at two different temperatures. Noteworthy features of skeletal development in S. intermontanus include: 1) presence of palatine ossifications that form from independent centers of ossification and soon fuse with the postnarial portion of the vomers to form the compound vomeropalatine bones; 2) compound sphenethmoid that may arise from four or more endochondral centers of ossification and one dorsal, dermal center of ossification; and 3) presence of transverse processes and vestigal prezygapophyses on the first postsacral vertebra. The morphology of the larval orbitohyoideus and interhyoideus muscles is compared. The record of skeletal ontogeny and muscle morphology presented herein for the herbivorous larval morph can serve as a baseline for comparisons with the ontogeny of the carnivorous larval morph of Scaphiopus. J. Morphol. 238:179–244, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Apoptosis in the digestive tract of herbivorous Rana pipiens larvae and carnivorous Ceratophrys ornata larvae: An immunohistochemical study

The lifespan of herbivorous Rana pipiens larvae is ～3 months, while that of carnivorous Ceratophrys ornata larvae is only about 2 weeks. During metamorphic climax, the larval gut shortens dramatically, especially in R. pipiens, and its luminal epithelium is replaced by adult‐type epithelium. To determine when programmed cell death occurs during the metamorphic restructuring of the gut, we prepared cross‐sections of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine from representative larval stages and from juvenile frogs of both species. The sections were incubated with monoclonal antibody against active caspase‐3, one of the key enzymes in the apoptotic cascade. We observed apoptosis in some luminal epithelial cells in each of the three regions of the larval gastrointestinal tract of both species. However, apoptotic cells appeared earlier in larval stages of R. pipiens than C. ornata and few were seen in juvenile frogs of either species. The results demonstrate the occurrence of apoptosis in the metamorphic remodeling of the gut of both R. pipiens larvae and C. ornata larvae. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Energetics of metamorphic climax in the southern toad (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bufo terrestris</Emphasis>)

During metamorphic climax, anuran larvae must rely on stored energy because changes in oral and digestive morphology prevent foraging and efficient assimilation. Thus, the time required to store adequate energy for metamorphic climax may set a lower limit on age at which it can occur. Therefore, the amount and type of energy used during metamorphic climax must be determined. To quantify the energetic costs of metamorphic climax in Bufo terrestris, oxygen consumption during climax was measured. Wet mass, dry mass, and lipid mass for a group of individuals at the initiation of climax (forelimb emergence, FL) and for another group at the end of climax (complete tail resorption, TR) were also measured to determine whether lipids were used to fuel metamorphic climax. The total amount of energy used, maintenance costs, and development costs during metamorphic climax varied considerably among individuals. Variation in energy metabolism during climax was not related to differences in energy metabolism during larval development or body mass at initiation of climax. TR individuals were significantly lighter in terms of wet mass and had less body water than FL individuals. However, the two groups did not differ in dry mass or lipid mass. Therefore, lipid catabolism is not a major source of energy during metamorphic climax in B. terrestris. As a result, decreases in age at metamorphosis may not be constrained by the need to store energy in the form of lipids.     

Larval development and metamorphosis of the olfactory and vomeronasal organs in the toad Rhinella (Bufo) arenarum (Hensel, 1867)

Jungblut, L.D., Pozzi, A.G. and Paz, D.A. 2010. Larval development and metamorphosis of the olfactory and vomeronasal organs in the toad Rhinella (Bufo) arenarum (Hensel, 1867). — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 92 : 305–315. The olfactory and the vomeronasal system are the two major chemosensory systems found in terrestrial vertebrates. Among tetrapods, amphibians are unique in having an aquatic larval stage, followed by metamorphosis to a terrestrial adult. In the present work, we studied the histological development of the olfactory and vomeronasal organ and associated multicellular glands of the toad Rhinella (Bufo) arenarum, from early poshatching larva to postmetamorphic toadlets. As in other bufonids, the olfactory epithelium of R. arenarum in larvae is divided into dorsal and ventral branches in the rostral and mid‐nasal regions. At metamorphic climax, the larval pattern changes drastically and the adult olfactory configuration develops. Bowman’s glands appear in the olfactory epithelium of R. arenarum at the onset of metamorphic climax. The vomeronasal epithelium develops early in larval development in R. arenarum, around the time of operculum development. Interestingly, a novel sensory epithelium develops in the floor of the principal chamber of R. arenarum at metamorphic climax. This novel sensory epithelium resembles larval sensory epithelium lacking Bowman’s glands, and suggests that these animals would be able to sense not only air‐borne, but also water‐borne odors during their adult terrestrial life.     

Effect of corticosterone on growth and welfare of broiler chickens showing long or short tonic immobility

Tonic immobility (TI) test is commonly used to assess fear. Animals showing different TI durations demonstrate distinct behavior and biochemical responses to stress. However, less is known about how TI phenotype affects growth and welfare of domestic fowl. In this study, broiler chickens (Gallus gallus) were classified into short and long TI duration (STI and LTI) phenotypes and treated chronically with vehicle (CON) or corticosterone (CORT). STI broilers demonstrated significantly higher growth rate with higher breast muscle yield (P < 0.05) and liver weight relative to BW tended to be lower (P = 0.053), which was accompanied by higher serum concentration of CORT (P < 0.05) and uric acid (P < 0.01), but lower serum level of T4 (P = 0.01). CORT severely reduced body weight, as well as the relative weight of muscle, bursa of Fabricius and spleen (P < 0.001), but relative liver weight was increased (P < 0.001). CORT-treated chickens had reduced serum CORT, elevated heterophile/lymphocyte ratio, and increased serum levels of total and free T3. STI broilers displayed more preening behavior (P < 0.05), yet CORT elicited more walking behavior (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the welfare assessment scores between STI and LTI phenotypes under basal situation, while LTI chickens showed significantly increased incidence of pad dermatitis compared to STI under CORT exposure. The results suggest that STI broilers demonstrate better growth performance and higher adaptability to stress compared to LTI chickens.     

The Influence of Human Growth Hormone (GH) and Thyroxine (T4) on the Differentiation of Adipose Tissue in the Fetus

Late term fetuses from genetically obese dams have slightly larger fat cells, greater adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities, elevated levels of thyroid hormones, and depressed growth hormone (GH) levels when compared to fetuses from lean dams. We have investigated the influence of thyroid hormone and GH status per se on these and other adipose tissue traits by chronically treating hypophysectomized (hypox) fetuses (day 70) between day 90 and 105 of gestation with either thyroxine (T4) or human GH. Treatment with T4 decreased body weights (P<.05), increased serum T₄ levels (P<.05), and enhanced skin and hair development (P<.05). Quantitative analysis of sections of perirenal and subcutaneous adipose tissue indicated that T₄ increased LPL activity (P<.05), slightly increased fat cell size, and more than doubled (P<.05) lipid accretion. A hypox induced deficit in fat cell cluster number in the outer layer of subcutaneous tissue was normalized by T₄ (P<.05). Conversely, human GH (hGH) treatment had no influence on body weight, increased serum hGH levels, decreased fat cell size (P<.05) and LPL activity (P<.05) but had no influence on lipid accretion. Quantitative analysis of adipose tissue sections provided direct and indirect evidence of a “critical” or “sensitive” period between 90 and 105 days, since fetal hypox at day 70 severely impeded preadipocyte recruitmentheplication during this period. Furthermore, T₄ but not GH effectively normalized this hypox-induced deficiency in preadipocyte development. Therefore, T₄ may have a major role in preadipocyte recruitmentheplication during late fetal life.     

Changes in Structure and Function of Ventral Epidermis in Hyla arborea savignyi Aud. (Anura; Hylidae) Throughout Metamorphosis

The changes in epidermal ultrastructure during the metamorphic cycle of Hyla arborea are described. The number of cell layers increased from two to four in the late tadpole stages. The cell layers flatten and the process of stratification reaches its peak after the completion of metamorphosis. The mitochondria-rich cell appears early in the tadpole stages. Numerous flask cells are noticeable in the post-metamorphic stages. K+–p-NPPase activity was localized cytochemically in the epidermis of H. arborea during its metamorphic cycle. In the epidermis of the legless tadpole, evidence for K+–p-NPPase activity was confined intracellularly. During the later tadpole stages, preceding metamorphic climax, the main ATPase activity shifted to the baso-lateral cell membranes bordering with the intercellular spaces under the surface and later the stratum corneum. This continued after metamorphic climax in the juvenile toadlets, diminishing later in the adult stage.     

Activin A affects feeding by promoting the inner diameter and muscle development of the pharynx and oesophagus in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae

Activin A belongs to the superfamily of transforming growth factor-β and plays an important role in hormone regulation and tissue development. However, few research studies have been conducted on the effect of activin A on feeding organs in fish. In this study, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae were treated with 1 ng ml^–1 activin A for 8 days continuously. The haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining section results revealed that the transverse inner diameter of the pharynx and oesophagus significantly increased on the third and eighth days after treatment compared with the control group (P < 0.05). On the eighth day, the cross-sectional area of the pharyngeal muscle increased by 8638 μm² compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The RNA in situ hybridization results also showed that the expression of skeletal muscle-specific genes (myog and myod) was significantly increased in pharyngeal muscle on the eighth day. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR results showed the expression of gh gene was significantly increased on the eighth day (P < 0.05). At the same time, more larvae in activin A group were able to feed larger brine shrimp (Artemia) than in the control group on the eighth day. In conclusion, activin A could affect feeding by promoting the inner diameter and muscle development of the pharynx and oesophagus in zebrafish larvae. This study is the first to report that the development of the pharynx and oesophagus can directly affect food intake in fish larvae, which provides a theoretical basis for the study of food intake of fish at an early stage.     

Protective role of intraperitoneally administrated vitamin E and selenium on the levels of total lipid,total cholesterol,and fatty acid composition of muscle and liver tissues in rats

The aim of this work was to determine the protective effects of intraperitoneally administrated vitamin E and Se on total lipid, total cholesterol, and fatty acid composition of rat liver and muscle tissues. Total lipid content of muscle tissue in Se and combination groups decreased as compared to the control group. However, the level of total lipid in the liver tissues was seen to decrease only in the combination group (P < 0.05). While the amount of total cholesterol in liver tissue was lower (P < 0.05) in the vitamin E and combination groups, the amount of total cholesterol in muscle tissue decreased (P < 0.05) in the combination group. The amount of linoleic acid in muscle tissue slightly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas the eicosenoic and eicosatrienoic acid amounts significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) in the vitamin E group as compared to the control group. The amounts of most fatty acid decreased (P < 0.05) in the combination group. The proportions of eicosenoic, eicosatrienoic, and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) within the total fatty acid were higher (P < 0.05) in vitamin E group, whereas these fatty acids proportions were lower (P < 0.05) in the Se group. Although the proportions of palmitic, linolenic, and total saturated fatty acids were low (P < 0.05), oleic and total unsaturated fatty acid proportions were higher (P < 0.05) in the combination group than in the control group. The amount of palmitic acid and total saturated fatty acid in liver tissue decreased (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) in the vitamin E and combination groups. However, the amount of linoleic acid only decreased (P < 0.05) in the combination group. The amount of PUFA was slightly higher (P < 0.05) in vitamin E. The proportions of stearic acid and linoleic acid decreased (P < 0.05) both in the Se and combination groups. However, the proportions of eicosatrienoic, ω 6, and PUFA were slightly higher (P < 0.05) in the vitamin E group, but total saturated fatty acid proportion significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in both the vitamin E and combination groups. In conclusion, the level of total lipid and cholesterol in muscle and liver tissues were reduced by administrating vitamin E and Se together. Additionally, the fatty acid synthesis in the muscle and liver tissues was decreased by this process. However, it was observed that the protective effect of intraperitoneally administrated vitamin E was higher than Se on fatty acid composition in muscle and liver tissues. J. Cell. Biochem. 64:233–241. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Neurotrophin receptors and enteric neuronal development during metamorphosis in the amphibian<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Xenopus laevis</Emphasis>

During metamorphosis, the frog intestine goes through a dramatic shortening with extensive apoptosis and regeneration in the epithelial layer and connective tissue. Our aim was to study changes in the enteric nervous system represented by one inhibitory (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide; VIP) and one excitatory (substance P, neurokinin A; SP/NKA) nerve population and concomitant changes in neurotrophin receptor occurrence during this development in the gut of Xenopus laevis adults and tadpoles at different stages of metamorphosis (NF stages 57–66). Sections were incubated with antibodies against the neurotrophin Trk receptors and p75^NTR, and the neurotransmitters VIP and SP/NKA. Trk-immunoreactive nerves increased dramatically but transiently in number during early metamorphic climax. Nerves immunoreactive for p75^NTR were present throughout the gut, decreased in number in the middle intestine during climax, and increased in the large intestine during late metamorphosis. The percentage of VIP-immunoreactive nerves did not change during metamorphosis. SP/NKA-immunoreactive nerves were first apparent at NF stages 61–62 in the middle intestine and increased in the stomach and large intestine during metamorphosis. Endocrine cells expressing SP/NKA increased in number in stomach, proximal, and middle intestine during metamorphic climax. Thus, neurotrophin receptors are expressed transiently in neurons of the enteric nervous system during metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis and SP/NKA innervation is more abundant in the intestine of the postmetamorphic frog than in the tadpole.This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council to S. Holmgren     

Transfection of Eastern Oyster (Crassotrea virginica) Embryos

There is a need for research in disease resistance and microbial elimination in the eastern oyster Crassosostrea virginica. Gene transfer may lead to advances in this area, and a means of selecting transfected larvae would be useful. We transfected 3-hour-postfertilization embryos with the bacterial gene aminoglycoside phosphotransferase II (neo ^r ), which confers resistance to neomycin and related antibiotics such as G418. The antibiotic G418 was examined as a potential selective agent. A neutral red assay was used to determine survival after 48 hours of exposure to various concentrations of G418 (0–4 mg/ml). We examined the effects of electroporation and chemically mediated transfection of 3-hour-postfertilization embryos on survival to straight-hinge larvae. DNA alone was found to have no effect on survival (P > .05). For electroporation we found that increased voltage and pulse duration decreased survival (P < .05). Chemically mediated transfection did not significantly affect survival (P= .5172). Transgenic larvae were identified after electroporation and chemically mediated transfection. These larvae were reared for 24 hours and exposed to G418 at 0.3 mg/ml for 48 hours. Significant differences in survival between transfected and nontransfected larvae were detected for electroporation (P= .0147) and chemically mediated transfection (P= .037). Gene transfer was also confirmed with polymerase chain reaction and observation of expression of green fluorescent protein. This study documents the first successful insertion and expression of foreign DNA in eastern oyster larvae. Received September 5, 2000; accepted January 12, 2001.     

Characterization of the expression profiles of calpastatin (CAST) gene in chicken

The calpain system, a Ca²⁺-activated protease family, plays an important role in postmortem tenderization of skeletal muscle due to its involvement in the degradation of important myofibrillar and associated proteins, as well as in cytoskeletal remodeling and regulation of muscle growth. In this study, we quantified the expression of calpastatin (CAST) in two Chinese chicken breeds (mountainous black-bone chicken breed (MB) and a commercial meat type chicken breed (S01)), to discern the tissue and age-related specific expression pattern and its potential role on muscle tissue metabolism. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay was developed for accurate measurement of CAST mRNA levels in various tissues from chicken with different ages (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 week). CAST mRNA was detected in collected organs. The heart and leg muscle tissues had the highest expression of CAST than other tissues from the same chicken (P < 0.01). Age-related expression pattern of CAST gene was evident in breast muscle, liver, and brain tissues (P < 0.05), but not in heart and leg muscle tissues (P > 0.05). Overall, the CAST mRNA level exhibited a “rise-decline-rise-decline” developmental change in breast muscle and liver, with the highest expression at 2 weeks and the lowest expression at 8 weeks. The S01 chicken had significantly higher expression of CAST in breast muscle and heart than the MB chicken (P < 0.05) at 10 weeks. Our results suggested the CAST expression may be related to muscle fiber development.     

Larval rearing of fringe-lipped carp,Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch) with low cost diets including green bottle fly Lucilia sericata (Meigen) larvae meal incorporated diet

A study was conducted with non-conventional ingredients to test their efficacy as fishmeal (FM) replacers in the diet of fringe- lipped carp. Labeo fimbriatus first feeding larvae and fry were reared for 30 and 60 days in indoor, 50 L, aerated, circular plastic tanks at 100 and 30 numbers tank⁻¹, respectively. In the first feeding larvae to fry rearing experiment (Exp. 1), the fish were fed with either of the following isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets – live plankton, FM diet, green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata) larvae meal (GBFLM) diet and silkworm pupa (SWP) diet. The fry to fingerling rearing (Exp. 2), was also conducted using the same diets described above except live plankton. All compounded diets were formulated to contain 40% crude protein for the experiment 1 and 35% for experiment 2 and were fed ad libitum. Triplicate tanks were maintained for each treatment in both the experiments. In Exp. 1, the mean final weight of fry was higher with plankton and FM diets, while no difference (p > .05) was observed between FM and GBFLM diets. Weight of fish fed SWP diets was not statistically different from those fed GBFLM diet. No difference (p > .05) in final length, survival and condition factor was recorded. Analysis of digestive enzyme activity of whole fish revealed lower (p < .05) activity of amylase in fish fed plankton. In Exp. 2, no difference (p > .05) was observed between the different diet groups in terms of mean final weight, length, survival and condition factor. Analysis of digestive enzyme activity of whole fish revealed no difference (p > .05) in the activity of digestive enzymes between the treatments except a lower (p < .05) activity of trypsin in FM diet and lipase in FM and GBFLM diets. Since the survival and condition factors of animals is the most important aspect during nursery rearing, similar (p > .05) values recorded in different treatments indicate the possibility of incorporation of these non-conventional protein sources in the diet of L. fimbriatus during first feeding larvae to fry and fry to fingerling rearing.     

Repeated thermal stressor causes chronic elevation of baseline corticosterone and suppresses the physiological endocrine sensitivity to acute stressor in the cane toad (Rhinella marina)

Extreme environmental temperature could impact the physiology and ecology of animals. The stress endocrine axis provides necessary physiological stress response to acute (day–day) stressors. Presently, there are no empirical evidences showing that exposure to extreme thermal stressor could cause chronic stress in amphibians. This could also modulate the physiological endocrine sensitivity to acute stressors and have serious implications for stress coping in amphibians, particularly those living in fragmented and disease prone environments. We addressed this important question using the cane toad (Rhinella marina) model from its introduced range in Queensland, Australia. We quantified their physiological endocrine sensitivity to a standard acute (capture and handling) stressor after exposing the cane toads to thermal shock at 35 °C for 30 min daily for 34 days. Corticosterone (CORT) responses to the capture and handling protocol were measured on three sampling intervals (days 14, 24, and 34) to determine whether the physiological endocrine sensitivity was maintained or modulated over-time. Two control groups (C1 for baseline CORT measurement only and C2 acute handled only) and two temperature treatment groups (T1 received daily thermal shock up to day 14 only and a recovery phase of 20 days and T2 received thermal shock daily for 34 days). Results showed that baseline CORT levels remained high on day 14 (combined effect of capture, captivity and thermal stress) for both T1 and T2. Furthermore, baseline CORT levels decreased for T1 once the thermal shock was removed after day 14 and returned to baseline by day 29. On the contrary, baseline CORT levels kept on increasing for T2 over the 34 days of daily thermal shocks. Furthermore, the magnitudes of the acute CORT responses or physiological endocrine sensitivity were consistently high for both C1 and T1. However, acute CORT responses for T2 toads were dramatically reduced between days 24 and 34. These novel findings suggest that repeated exposure to extreme thermal stressor could cause chronic stress and consequently suppress the physiological endocrine sensitivity to acute stressors (e.g. pathogenic diseases) in amphibians.     

Gut DYSBIOSIS and altered barrier function precedes the appearance of metabolic syndrome in a rat model of nutrient-induced catch-up growth

Nutritional restriction early in life followed by catch-up growth has been associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. To elucidate whether altered gut colonization underlies the mechanisms responsible of this predisposition gut microbiome was studied before or afterwards catch-up growth. Offspring of dams fed ad libitum (C) or undernourished during pregnancy and suckling (U), were weaned onto high-fat diet (HFD) for 22 weeks (CHF and UHF, respectively) or continued on their diet. HF-feeding induced glucose intolerance (P<.05), insulin resistance (P<.001), and white adipose tissue inflammation (P<.001) in UHF rats compared to CHF. Analyses of gut microbial composition before catch-up growth revealed reduced F/B ratio and significant expansion of the mucolytic genera Akkermansia (P<.05) and Desulfovibrio (P<.05) in U pups. Although relative abundance of Akkermansia remained elevated to adulthood in U rats, HFD normalized its levels to C and CHF. Food-restriction increased intestinal permeability causing disorganization on the tight-junction proteins of colonic epithelium, Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, and reducing the mucus thickness layer in U adult rats. The levels of ZO-1 and occludin were not recovered in U rats after HF-feeding. This event was correlated with increased circulating levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharides in both U and UHF adult rats. Even more, serum lipopolysaccharides were already elevated in U rats compared to C group (P<.001) at weaning. Thus, gut dysbiosis and chronic endotoxemia observed in U rats, even before catch-up growth, might anticipate a pro-inflammatory milieu promoting metabolic diseases when fed hyperlipidic diets.     

Food of the rook (Corvus frugilegus L.) in Hawke's Bay,New Zealand

Abstract

Throughout a year gizzards from 160 adult and juvenile rooks and 105 large young in rookeries were collected from Hawke's Bay. The main foods were invertebrates (especially Diptera larvae and Coleoptera adults) during the warmer months and walnuts and acorns in autumn and winter. When these foods were scarce cereals were taken, mainly from stubble. Other important food items were carrion, earthworms, peas, grass, and clover. Foods fed to young rooks were similar to those eaten by adults except that the young were fed more striped dung fly (Hybopygia varia) larvae (P < 0.025) and fewer blow fly (Calliphoridae) larvae (P < 0.025).     

Rapid and selective removal of larval erythrocytes from systemic circulation during metamorphosis of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

Mechanisms of hemoglobin transition during bullfrog metamorphosis were investigated by labeling red blood cells from larvae (L-RBC) and from froglets (A-RBC) with a fluorescent dye, PKH26. The life span of the labeled L-RBC in systemic circulation was significantly shorter when they were injected into the animals at the metamorphic climax, compared to injection into pre- or postmetamorphic animals. The A-RBC had a long life span regardless of the metamorphic stage of the recipient animal. Therefore, L-RBC were selectively removed from the systemic circulation at the time of metamorphic climax. During climax, the labeled L-RBC were ingested by hepatic and splenic macrophages, indicating that macrophages are involved in the specific elimination of L-RBC.     

Development of the ethmoidal structures of the endocranium in Discoglossus pictus (Anura: Discoglossidae)

We use histological techniques and computer‐aided three‐dimensional reconstructions made from serial histological sections to describe the ontogeny of the ethmoidal endocranium of discoglossid frog Discoglossus pictus. We identify a pattern of development for the suprarostral cartilage that differs from previous findings and probably represents the ancestral anuran pattern. The nasal cartilages, including the inferior prenasal cartilage, are de novo adult structures. The only larva‐derived structures of the adult nasal capsules are the posterior aspects of the solum nasi and septum nasi. We also identify patterns of development for the ethmoid plate and postnasal wall that occur during early in ontogenesis. These patterns are associated with development events during metamorphic climax. The pattern of timing of chondrification of the anterior nasal cartilages more closely coincides with that of the neobatrachian species than that recorded for the pelobatid frog Spea. In addition, this study supports a sister taxon relationship between Discoglossus and Alytes. J. Morphol. 271:1078‐1093, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.