Date of Award

Fall 1988

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biological Sciences

Program/Concentration

Biology

Committee Director

Alan H. Savitsky

Committee Member

Ray S. Birdsong

Committee Member

Robert K. Rose

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.B46 E49

Abstract

Despite the extensive literature on salamander cranial morphology, few authors mention the structure or development of the mandibular symphysis. Adult specimens representing eight caudate families and larval Ambystoma opacum, representing nine developmental stages, were evaluated histologically to determine the structure and development of the mandibular symphysis.

From this analysis it was determined that early in the ontogeny of the mandibular symphysis Meckel's cartilages are separated by a band of undifferentiated cartilage. As development progresses, this band of undifferentiated cartilage gradually transforms into a wedge of fibrocartilage which fuses to Meckel's cartilages.

Symphyseal morphologies of the adult caudates could be broken down into six major types: Type 1, Meckel's cartilage fused at the symphysis with no symphyseal cartilage; Type 2, Meckel's cartilages separated at the symphysis by a fibrocartilaginous symphyseal pad; Type 3, Meckel's cartilages separated at the symphysis by an elastic cartilaginous symphyseal pad: Type 4, Meckel's cartilages were either retained or not retained with the tips of the dentaries separated at the symphysis by a fibrocartilaginous symphyseal pad; Type 5, Meckel's cartilages not retained with the tips of the dentaries separated at the symphysis by an elastic cartilaginous symphyseal pad; and Type 6, Meckel's cartilages not retained with the tips of the dentaries separated at the symphysis by fibrocartilaginous and elastic cartilaginous symphyseal pads.

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DOI

10.25777/axzd-ma67

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