Vol. 14 No. 5 (1999): May
Paper

Food Particle retrieval in Amphibian tadpoles

Published 1999-05-21

Abstract

Amphibian tadpole develops in water, draws nourishment from common pond sources including planktonic suspension, vegetation, detritus and from larvaevory.  Microhyla ornata is a plankton feeding microphage; Bufo stomaticus is vegetation rasper macrophage; while both Limnonectes species are macrophagus raspers as well as microphagus plankton feeders.   However, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis is detritivorous and Hoplobatrachus tigerinus is a larvivorecarnivore.  Despite difference in diet, each spcies employs similar buccopharyngeal technology to glean the particulate food from water current.