Histomorphological characterization of the skin of Leptodactylus species from the fuscus group (Anura: Leptodactylidae), emphasizing the Eberth-Katschenko layer

Abstract

In this study, we present an analysis of the dorsal and ventral integument, with emphasis on the Eber t-Katschenko layer, of Leptodactylus species from the fuscus group from northwestern Argentina: Leptodactylus fuscus (Schneider, 1799); L. gracilis (Duméril and Bibron, 1840); L. latinasus Jiménez de Espada 1875 and L. elenae Heyer 1978. The results show that there exist morphological variations in the Eberth-Katschenko layer among these species. In addition, intraspecific variations in specimens coming from different biogeographic regions (Chaco Serrano and Yunga) are reported.