Osseous pathologies in the lungless salamander Desmognathus fuscus (Plethodontidae) |
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Authors: | Marylène Danto Florian Witzmann Nadia B Fröbisch |
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Institution: | 1. Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany;2. Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany
Department of Biology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany |
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Abstract: | The majority of reported pathologies in lissamphibians (salamanders, caecilians and frogs) include limb deformities such as missing limbs, multiple extra limbs and digits, or incomplete limb formation. However, comparatively little is known about congenital vertebral malformations or posttraumatic pathologies (e.g. injuries, infections) in the vertebral column of salamanders. In the present study, we describe eight vertebral deformities in three cleared and stained specimens of Desmognathus fuscus. Two specimens display developmental deformities which range from a potential non-segmented wedge vertebra to fully segmented hemivertebrae. The vertebral pathology in the third specimens possibly results from a parasitic infection. Apparently, these osseous deformities were not severe enough to prohibit survival of the specimens. |
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Keywords: | congenital vertebral malformations lissamphibians parasitic infection salamanders vertebral column |
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