Meeting Abstract

102.1  Wednesday, Jan. 7  Larval developmental patterns in Acris crepitans blanchardi (Anura: Hylidae) and their implications HAVENS, S.B.*; MAGLIA, A.M.; Missouri University of Science and Technology; Missouri University of Science and Technology sbhdbe@mst.edu

Blanchards cricket frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi), a North American hylid, is of ecological and evolutionary importance because of its miniature body size and range-wide population declines/extinctions. In addition to unique post-metamorphic developmental patterns, the species has a short life span and high rates of malformations relative to other hylids. It is possible that the declines and/or malformations in the species relate to its developmental and life history patterns. Unfortunately, the larval development of this species has not been studied previously, nor have the developmental patterns been compared to other hylids. In this project, we examine the pre-metamorphic and metamorphic skeletal development of A. crepitans blanchardi, including qualitative descriptions, timing and sequence of ossification, and geometric morphometric analyses of the larval cranium. We compare results from A. crepitans to those of other North American hylids, and discuss the implications of our findings relative to miniaturization, hylid evolution, malformations, and population declines.