Diversity and Systematic Significance of Anuran Tongue Musculature

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Abstract
Tongue musculature, while remaining constant in form within a species, is diverse in the Anura. The hyoglossus muscle is relatively uniform in structure between species and higher taxa; it is the genioglossus which makes the major contribution to this diversity. Four distinct states of genioglossal arrangement were found among the 63 spp. investigated; these often agree closely with taxonomic position of the latter. Thus, for example, all limnodynastine leptodactylids examined (except Mixophyes) possess a State III genioglossus, and all the myobatrachines a State IV genioglossus. That the genioglossus retains the same basic form among a group of species of varying habits, such as the Myobatrachinae, indicates that it is fairly conservative in its evolution. Genioglossal structure is of potential value in elucidating systematic relationships of anurans.

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