Fetal Maintenance and Its Evolutionary Significance in the Amphibia: Gymnophiona

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Abstract
The oviducts of several species of caecilians [Gymnopis, Typhlonectes, Scolecomorphus, Dermophis, Chthonerpeton, Caecilia, Geotrypetes, Schistometopon and Nectocaecilia] are modified for maintenance of fetal development through metamorphosis. Nutrition is provided by secretions from epithelial cells of the duct. Nutritional demands on the parent are great. The species-specific fetal dentition is functional in obtaining nutrition in the oviduct, in contrast to previous suggestions. This mode of viviparity is found in members of 3 of the 4 families of caecilians.

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