Abstract:
In order to reveal the morphological changes of hyobranchial skeleton in the metamorphosis of Rana chensinensis tadpoles, modified Toyal bone double staining method was used to stain the hyobranchial skeleton of Rana chensinensis tadpoles from Gosner(G) 26 to 46 stages for the observation, comparison and image collection of hyobranchial skeleton. The results showed that the hyobranchial skeleton of Rana chensinensis tadpoles was composed of 4 parts, including ceratohyal, copula, hyobranchial plate and branchial basket,and always existed in the condition of cartilage during metamorphosis. The hyobranchial skeleton of tadpoles had complete structures at G26 stage, then all parts of the hyobranchial skeleton grew at the same rate during G26 and G38 stages, and reached the largest at G38 stage.During G39 and G41 stages, hyobranchial skeleton began to absorb and turn smaller with obvious variation observed at G42 stage. From G43 to G46 stages, the ceratohyal, copula and hyobranchial plate deformed and reshaped, the branchial basket gradually disappeared, and the hyobranchial skeleton developed into adult hyoid bone.To adapt the changes of physiological function,the hyobranchial skeleton of Rana chensinensis tadpoles suffers small-big-small development and finally becomes adult hyoid bone.
