Among bufonids,\u00a0Rhinella\u00a0<\/em>stands out for its high diversity in larval morphology and ecomorphology, including for instance proverbial pond-type tadpoles (e.g., the\u00a0R<\/em>. marina\u00a0<\/em>group), generalized tadpoles from lotic systems (e.g., in the\u00a0R<\/em>. spinulosa\u00a0<\/em>group), and tadpoles that develop in phytotelmata (e.g., some species within the\u00a0R<\/em>. margaritifera<\/em>\u00a0group). The\u00a0R<\/em>. veraguensis\u00a0<\/em>group comprises highly specialized tadpoles with the abdominal wall modified into a sucker (R<\/em>. chrysophora<\/em>,\u00a0R<\/em>. quechua<\/em>, and\u00a0R<\/em>. veraguensis<\/em>), as well as forms that exhibit gular bulges likely representing an intermediate state toward the presence of an abdominal sucker (R<\/em>. rumbolli<\/em>). Given the generally conservative larval morphotypes within species groups in this and other bufonid genera, the discovery of tadpoles of\u00a0R<\/em>. justinianoi\u00a0<\/em>from a captive breeding population was surprising. Contrary to expectations, these are endotrophic nidicolous tadpoles that combine features typical of this developmental mode (e.g., mouthparts less developed than in related lotic tadpoles, large otic capsules) with traits characteristic of the\u00a0R<\/em>. veraguensis\u00a0<\/em>group (e.g., gular bulges, labial tooth row A2 not interrupted). In this work, we describe the external and skeletal anatomy of a small sample of tadpoles and discuss their relevance in the context of phylogeny, developmental modes, and larval ecomorphology in\u00a0Rhinella. In addition, we briefly summarize the taxonomic distribution and morphological evolution of endotrophic larvae in Bufonidae.<\/p>\n Vera Candioti, F., Quinteros-Mu\u00f1oz, O., Camacho-Badani, T., Baldo, D. and Pereyra, M.O. 2026. An unexpected tadpole: developmental mode and larval morphology of endotrophic Rhinella justinianoi<\/em> (Anura: Bufonidae), with implications for bufonid larval ecomorphology and evolution. Zoologischer Anzeiger<\/em> 323: 56\u201365.<\/p>\n
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