The Systematics of Vertebrate Larvae

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Abstract
The larvae of fishes and amphibians are discussed from the point of view of classification, evolutionary trends and specialized types of development as neoteny (elimination of the adult stage) and direct development (elimination of the larvae). The tadpole stage of frogs falls into 4 types, each showing secondary trends of adaptive radiation and convergent evolution. Both the tadpole and adult frog have a short vertebral column and this is considered to be a basic factor. The entire phylum Chordata may have arisen by neoteny from a stock in which the adult was sessile and the larva was active with noto. chord and somites as larval specializations for support of the tail.

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