MYOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES IN RHINODERMA-DARWINII (ANURA, RHINODERMATIDAE)

The myology of Rhinoderma darwinii is re-analyzed. Fourteen muscles (m . deltoides scapularis, m. coracoradialis, m. coracobrachialis brevis, m. omohyoideus, m. cucularis, m. interhyoideus, m. levator mandibular posterior externus, m. levator mandibular posterior articularis, m. l evator posterior longus, m. geniohyoideus lateralis, m. geniohyoideus medialis, m. intermaxillaris, m. iliofibularis and m. iliofemoralis) a re unique with respect to either structure or points of origin and/or insertion. An apical supplementary element of the m. intermandibularis is reported for the first time in the species, and another muscle, as sociated with the skin of the thigh, is described for the first time a mong anurans. Myological characters may be useful characters for futur e systematic and phylogenetic analysis of the Rhinodermatidae, one of the less diversified and enigmatic groups of neotropical frogs. (C) 19 95 Wiley-Liss, Inc.