Anuran Locomotion: Structure and Function. I. Preliminary Observations on Relation between Jumping and Osteometrics of Appendicular and Postaxial Skeleton

Abstract

The jumping abilities of Bufo marinus, Bufo terrestris, Hyla crucifer and Rana clamitans were determined by averaging the distances jumped in two trials, each of five successive jumps. The smallest absolute and relative jumping abilities were possessed by Bufo, the greatest absolute jumping ability by Rana, and the greatest relative jumping ability by Hyla. Each frog jumped was skeletonized in order to test the correlation of jumping ability and osteological characteristics. Approximately 30 measurements taken of the postaxial and appendicular skeleton were converted into a series of proportions to reflect functional complexes. The proportions, in the main, possess low variability and, thus, high stability within each genus. By associating jumping abilities with proportions, several morphological and functional trends are disclosed. Notably, strong jumpers share a rectangular presacral platform, short forelimbs, large forefeet, short scapulae, long hindlimbs, and tibiofibula longer than femur.