. The biology of the amphibia. Amphibians. CHAPTER IV SPECIATION AND ADAPTATION It is self-evident that Amphibia are more or less adapted to their environment. Burrowing toads are equipped with tarsal "spades" (Fig. 27), pond salamanders with lateral line organs, arboreal frogs with large adhesive discs. If Amphibia were not in more or less harmonious relation with the habitats in which Fig. 27.—A fossorial adaptation. Skeleton of the right foot of Rhinophrynus dorsalis, mesial aspect. The prehallux and first digit are modified for digging. F., fibula; Fe., fibulare; Aft., metatarsal
. The biology of the amphibia. Amphibians. CHAPTER IV SPECIATION AND ADAPTATION It is self-evident that Amphibia are more or less adapted to their environment. Burrowing toads are equipped with tarsal "spades" (Fig. 27), pond salamanders with lateral line organs, arboreal frogs with large adhesive discs. If Amphibia were not in more or less harmonious relation with the habitats in which Fig. 27.—A fossorial adaptation. Skeleton of the right foot of Rhinophrynus dorsalis, mesial aspect. The prehallux and first digit are modified for digging. F., fibula; Fe., fibulare; Aft., metatarsal of first digit; , prehallux; T., tibia; Tar., fused tarsalia; Te., tibiale. the different species spend the greater part of their lives, be that aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal, they would eventually succumb. Each of the chapters devoted to the structure of Amphibia dis- cusses some illustration of the adjustment or modification of organs and tissues as correlated with the particular needs of the organism. Amphibia, like most other organisms, when under the stress of unusual environmental conditions, can modify during development the full expression of various structures. But the alterations of development will explain very few of the extraordinary adaptations found in the group. In considering the latter, some account must be given of the mechanism by which both species and their distinctive characters come into existence. Emphasis will be laid on the origins of adaptations rather than on a detailed description of them. 79. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Noble, Gladwyn Kingsley, 1894-1940. New York : McGraw-Hill
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