Variability of Structural and Biomechanical Parameters of Pelophylax Esculentus (Amphibia, Anura) Limb Bones

• Main Author: Broshko Ye. O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 2014-07-01
• Series: Vestnik Zoologii
• Subjects: anurans; edible frog; locomotion; limbs skeleton; structural and biomechanical parameters; variability; allometry; norm of structure; бесхвостые амфибии; лягушка съедобная; локомоция; скелет конечностей; структурно-биомеханические параметры; изменчивость; аллометрия; норма строения
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2478/vzoo-2014-0027

Variability of Structural and Biomechanical Prameters of Pelophylax esculentus (Amphibia, Anura) Limb Bones. Broshko Ye. O. — Structural and biomechanical parameters of Edible Frog, Pelophylax esculentus (Linnaeus, 1758), limb bones, namely, mass, linear dimensions, parameters of the shaft’s cross-sectional shape (cross-sectional area, moments of inertia, radiuses of inertia) were investigated. Some coefficients were also estimated: diameters ratio (df/ds), cross-sectional index (ik), principal moments of inertia ratio (Imax/Imin.). Coefficients of variation of linear dimensions (11.9-20.0 %) anrelative bone mass (22-35 %) were established. Moments of inertia of various bones are more variable (CV = 41.67-56.35 %) in relation to radii of inertia (CV = 9.68-14.67 %). Shaft’s cross-sectional shape is invariable in all cases. However, there is high individual variability of structural and biomechanical parameters of P. esculentus limb bones. Variability of parameters was limited by the certain range. We suggest the presence of stable norm in bone structure. Stylopodium bones have the primary biomechanical function among the elements of limb skeleton, because their parameters most clearly responsive to changes in body mass.