TADPOLES OF HIGH ANDES ANURANS (AMPHIBIA) FROM VENEZUELA - EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY AND KEYS [SPA]

A literature review and examination of several lots of tadpoles repres entative of the high Venezuelan Andes species (at least one species pe r genus) allowed identification of 41 useful characters. These are pre sented (with some illustrations) in a detailed description of their ex ternal morphology. Angle measurements (related to body longitudinal ax is) are recommended to describe tail tip shape and location of oral ap paratuses. Additionally, nineteen meristic data were used to assert mo rphological proportions. The identification key is based exclusively o n external morphology (presence/absence, size, shape, number, location , etc.), that remains mostly unmodified in larval early and intermedia te development. The key allows identification to genus for frogs and t oads that occur in the region (six families, II general. As a model of this proposal, the tadpole of Hyla pelidna is described and illustrat ed for the first time; it fits the larval characteristics of the H. la bialis group (keratodont rows formula 1/2 or 2/2, marginal papillae in multiple rows, rostral gap present, dextral cloacal opening abdominal [separated from the ventral fin], caudal fins widest than caudal musc ulature at tail midlength, narial opening with fleshy, smooth, not pro tuberant rim). This is a first effort to establish an anuran larval te rminology in Spanish.