Formation of interspecific differences by morphometric characteristics of Common (Ranu temporaria) and Moor (R-arvalis) frogs [Russian]

摘要

Morphometrical investigation of juvenile, subadult, and adult specimens of common (Rana temporaria) and moor (R. arvalis) frogs from Moscow region was performed. The interspecies differences in limb and head characters appear in subadult and are kept for all their life. In moor frogs, allometric coefficients b are close to 1 for the longitudinal characters of head (head length, snout length, distance between snout tip and direct line connected nostrils), and their relative values (indices) are greater than in common frogs. On the contrary, the relative values of the head and snout width and the distance between nostrils are smaller. The sexual differences in R. arvalis appear earlier than in R. temporaria. In subadult males of moor frogs, the relative sizes of forearm, femur, tibia, foot, and the 4(th) toe of hindlegs are greater than in females. In common frogs, the sexdependent differences of characters arise in maturing specimens, which are similar by length to adult moor frogs: males have larger relative sizes of shoulder and forearm, than females. In both species sexual dimorphism increases in ontogenesis. In adult moor frogs, there are differences between males and females by relative sizes of all limb characters, except the 1(st) Finger of forelegs and inner metatarsal tubercle. Adult common frogs have larger relative sizes of shoulder and forearm than adult moor frogs of the same sex. Adult males of moor frogs have larger relative sizes of femur, foot, and 4(th) toe of hindlegs than males of common frogs. The limb segments grow faster than body, and parts of head grow slower than body.