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1
Lonergan, K. T., C. A. Sidor, R. S. Darrell, R. P. Mancini, and D. G. Blackburn. "Differential testosterone sensitivity of forelimb muscles of male leopard frogs, Rana pipiens: test of a model system." Amphibia-Reptilia 16, no. 4 (1995): 351–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853895x00433.
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AbstractCertain forelimb muscles of anurans exhibit sexual dimorphism in mass and fiber composition, offering potential for studies of the effects of hormones on muscle characteristics. Androgen-responsiveness of major forelimb muscles of male leopard frogs, Rana pipiens, was evaluated by quantifying the effects of testosterone cypionate administration and castration on lyophilized muscle mass. The coracoradialis, pectoralis epicoracoideus, and pectoralis sternalis muscles were highly-responsive to testosterone treatment, showing a mean dry mass increase of approximately 50% over control values. However, the pectoralis abdominis muscle was unaffected by testosterone administration, and castration had no effect on any of the muscles. Testosterone sensitivity reflects both the degree of sexual dimorphism and the inferred functional roles of the muscles. Because their forelimb muscles vary markedly in androgen-sensitivity, leopard frogs show considerable promise as a model system for clarifying hormonal regulation of muscle characteristics.
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Roberts, Thomas J., Emily M. Abbott, and Emanuel Azizi. "The weak link: do muscle properties determine locomotor performance in frogs?" Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 366, no. 1570 (May 27, 2011): 1488–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0326.
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Muscles power movement, yet the conceptual link between muscle performance and locomotor performance is poorly developed. Frog jumping provides an ideal system to probe the relationship between muscle capacity and locomotor performance, because a jump is a single discrete event and mechanical power output is a critical determinant of jump distance. We tested the hypothesis that interspecific variation in jump performance could be explained by variability in available muscle power. We used force plate ergometry to measure power produced during jumping in Cuban tree frogs ( Osteopilus septentrionalis ), leopard frogs ( Rana pipiens ) and cane toads ( Bufo marinus ). We also measured peak isotonic power output in isolated plantaris muscles for each species. As expected, jump performance varied widely. Osteopilus septentrionalis developed peak power outputs of 1047.0 ± 119.7 W kg −1 hindlimb muscle mass, about five times that of B. marinus (198.5 ± 54.5 W kg −1 ). Values for R. pipiens were intermediate (543.9 ± 96.2 W kg −1 ). These differences in jump power were not matched by differences in available muscle power, which were 312.7 ± 28.9, 321.8 ± 48.5 and 262.8 ± 23.2 W kg −1 muscle mass for O. septentrionalis , R. pipiens and B. marinus , respectively. The lack of correlation between available muscle power and jump power suggests that non-muscular mechanisms (e.g. elastic energy storage) can obscure the link between muscle mechanical performance and locomotor performance.
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Kargo, William J., and Simon F. Giszter. "Afferent Roles in Hindlimb Wipe-Reflex Trajectories: Free-Limb Kinematics and Motor Patterns." Journal of Neurophysiology 83, no. 3 (March 1, 2000): 1480–501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/jn.2000.83.3.1480.
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The hindlimb wiping reflex of the frog is an example of a targeted trajectory that is organized at the spinal level. In this paper, we examine this reflex in 45 spinal frogs to test the importance of proprioceptive afferents in trajectory formation at the spinal level. We tested hindlimb to hindlimb wiping, in which the wiping or effector limb and the target limb move together. Loss of afferent feedback from the wiping limb was produced by cutting dorsal roots 7–9. This caused altered initial trajectory direction, increased ankle path curvature, knee-joint velocity reversals, and overshooting misses of the target limb. We established that these kinematic and motor-pattern changes were due mainly to the loss of ipsilateral muscular and joint afferents. Loss of cutaneous afferents alone did not alter the initial trajectory up to target limb contact. However, there were cutaneous effects in later motor-pattern phases after the wiping and target limb had made contact: The knee extension or whisk phase of wiping was often lost. Finally, there was a minor and nonspecific excitatory effect of phasic contralateral feedback in the motor-pattern changes after deafferentation. Specific muscle groups were altered as a result of proprioceptive loss. These muscles also showed configuration-based regulation during wiping. Biceps, semitendinosus, and sartorius (all contributing knee flexor torques) all were regulated in amplitude based on the initial position of the limb. These muscles contributed to an initial electromyographic (EMG) burst in the motor pattern. Rectus internus and semimembranosus (contributing hip extensor torques) were regulated in onset but not in the time of peak EMG or in termination of EMG based on initial position. These two muscles contributed to a second EMG burst in the motor pattern. After deafferentation the initial burst was reduced and more synchronous with the second burst, and the second burst often was broadened in duration. Ankle path curvature and its degree of change after loss of proprioception depended on the degree of joint staggering used by the frog (i.e., the relative phasing between knee and hip motion) and on the degree of motor-pattern change. We examined these variations in 31 frogs. Twenty percent (6/31) of frogs showed largely synchronous joint coordination and little effect of deafferentation on joint coordination, end-point path, or the underlying synchronous motor pattern. Eighty percent of frogs (25/31) showed some degree of staggered joint coordination and also strong effects of loss of afferents. Loss of afferents caused two major joint level changes in these frogs: collapse of joint phasing into synchronous joint motion and increased hip velocity. Fifty percent of frogs (16/31) showed joint-coordination changes of type (1) without type (2). This change was associated with reduction, loss, or collapse of phasing of the sartorius, semitendinosus and biceps (iliofibularis) in the initial EMG burst in the motor pattern. The remaining 30% (9/31) of frogs showed both joint-coordination changes 1 and 2. These changes were associated with both the knee flexor EMG changes seen in the other frogs and with additional increased activity of rectus internus and semimembranosus muscles. Our data show that multiple ipsilateral modalities all play some role in regulating muscle activity patterns in the wiping limb. Our data support a strong role of ipsilateral proprioception in the process of trajectory formation and specifically in the control of limb segment interactions during wiping by way of the regulation and coordination of muscle groups based on initial limb configuration.
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Saltiel, Philippe, Kuno Wyler-Duda, Andrea D'Avella, Matthew C. Tresch, and Emilio Bizzi. "Muscle Synergies Encoded Within the Spinal Cord: Evidence From Focal Intraspinal NMDA Iontophoresis in the Frog." Journal of Neurophysiology 85, no. 2 (February 1, 2001): 605–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/jn.2001.85.2.605.
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This paper relates to the problem of the existence of muscle synergies, that is whether the CNS command to muscles is simplified by controlling their activity in subgroups or synergies, rather than individually. We approach this problem with two methods that have been recently introduced: intraspinal N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) microstimulation and a synergy-extracting algorithm. To search for a common set of synergies encoded for by the spinal cord whose combinations would account for a large range of electromyographic (EMG) patterns, we chose, rather than examining a large range of natural behaviors, to chemically microstimulate a large number of spinal cord interneuronal sites in different frogs. A possible advantage of this complementary method is that it is task-independent. Visual inspection suggested that the NMDA-elicited EMG patterns recorded from 12 leg muscles might indeed be constructed from smaller subgroups of muscles whose activity co-varied, suggestive of synergies. We used a modification of our extracting computational algorithm whereby a nonnegative least-squares method was employed to iteratively update both the synergies and their coefficients of activation in reconstructing the EMG patterns. Using this algorithm, a limited set of seven synergies was found whose linear combinations accounted for more than 91% of the variance in the pooled EMG data from 10 frogs, and more than 96% in individual frogs. The extracted synergies were similar among frogs. Further, preferred combinations of these synergies were clearly identified. This was found by extracting smaller sets of four, five, or six synergies and fitting each synergy from those sets as a combination from the set of seven synergies extracted from the same frog; the synergy combinations from each frog were then pooled together to examine their frequency of occurrence. Concordance with this method of identifying synergy combinations was found by examining how the synergies from the set of seven correlated pair-wise as they reconstructed the EMG data. These results support the existence of muscle synergies encoded within the spinal cord, which through preferred combinations, account for a large repertoire of spinal cord motor output. These findings are contrasted with previous approaches to the problem of synergies.
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Fournier, P. A., and H. Guderley. "Muscle: the predominant glucose-producing organ in the leopard frog during exercise." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 264, no. 2 (February 1, 1993): R239—R243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.1993.264.2.r239.
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Although liver is thought to be the major glucose-producing organ in vertebrates, it is not the major source responsible for the accumulation of glucose in frogs during burst activity. This is indicated by the absence of significant changes in liver glycogen levels during exercise, the inability of the maximal reported rate of hepatic glucose production in vitro to account for the increase in the glucose content of the frog, and from the observation that hepatectomized and normal frogs accumulate similar amounts of glucose in their muscles and body during exercise. We conclude that most glucose that accumulates in the body during exercise originates in muscle because two-thirds of body glucose is found in muscle and because the intracellular levels of muscle glucose rise well above plasma levels. The glucose that accumulates outside muscle is also likely to originate in muscle. The most likely metabolic source of the glucose produced by muscle is the glycogen hydrolyzed by amylo-1,6-glucosidase.
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Soliz, Mónica, María Jose Tulli, and Virginia Abdala. "Forelimb musculoskeletal-tendinous growth in frogs." PeerJ 8 (February 25, 2020): e8618. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8618.
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The tendons unite and transmit the strength of the muscles to the bones, allowing movement dexterity, the distribution of the strength of the limbs to the digits, and an improved muscle performance for a wide range of locomotor activities. Tissue differentiation and maturation of the structures involved in locomotion are completed during the juvenile stage; however, few studies have investigated the ontogenetic variation of the musculoskeletal-tendinous system. We ask whether all those integrated tissues and limb structures growth synchronically between them and along with body length. We examined the ontogenetic variation in selected muscles, tendons and bones of the forelimbs in seventy-seven specimens belonging to seven anuran species of different clades and of three age categories, and investigate the relative growth of the forelimb musculoskeletal-tendinous structures throughout ontogeny. Ten muscles and nine tendons and their respective large bones (humerus and radioulna) were removed intact, and their length was measured and analyzed through a multivariate approach of allometry. We obtained an allometry coefficient, which indicates how the coefficient departures from isometry as well as allometric trends. Our data suggest that along with the post-metamorphic ontogeny, muscles tend to elongate proportionally to bone length, with a positive allometric trend. On the contrary, tendons show a negative allometric growth trend. Only two species show different patterns: Rhinella granulosa and Physalaemus biligonigerus, with an isometric and positive growth of muscles and bones, and most tendons being isometric.
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Renaud, Jean Marc. "Seasonal variation in muscle fatigue in the sartorius muscle of the frog Rana pipiens." Canadian Journal of Zoology 69, no. 6 (June 1, 1991): 1712–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z91-237.
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The goal of this study was to determine whether seasonal variation occurs in the rates of fatigue development and force recovery in the frog sartorius muscle. The data were gathered from different experiments performed during a 6-year period (1983–1989). All frog sartorius muscles were stimulated to fatigue with tetanic contractions at the rate of 1/s for 3 min. The decrease in tetanic force after 1.5 and 3 min of stimulation was relatively consistent throughout the year. The only significant difference occurred in the muscles tested in September and October, which were less fatigue resistant than those tested in December. Following fatigue, muscles were stimulated at the rate of one contraction every 100 s, so that the recovery of tetanic force could be followed. A large and significant seasonal variation was observed in the recovery period. Frog sartorius muscles tested between March and July recovered their tetanic force at a faster rate than those tested between August and October. It was shown that the highest capacity to recover force coincides with the time of the year when frogs are the most active.
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Peplowski, M. M., and R. L. Marsh. "Work and power output in the hindlimb muscles of Cuban tree frogs Osteopilus septentrionalis during jumping." Journal of Experimental Biology 200, no. 22 (November 1, 1997): 2861–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.200.22.2861.
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It has been suggested that small frogs use a catapult mechanism to amplify muscle power production during the takeoff phase of jumping. This conclusion was based on an apparent discrepancy between the power available from the hindlimb muscles and that required during takeoff. The present study provides integrated data on muscle contractile properties, morphology and jumping performance that support this conclusion. We show here that the predicted power output during takeoff in Cuban tree frogs Osteopilus septentrionalis exceeds that available from the muscles by at least sevenfold. We consider the sartorius muscle as representative of the bulk of the hindlimb muscles of these animals, because this muscle has properties typical of other hindlimb muscles of small frogs. At 25 degrees C, this muscle has a maximum shortening velocity (Vmax) of 8.77 +/- 0.62 L0 s-1 (where L0 is the muscle length yielding maximum isometric force), a maximum isometric force (P0) of 24.1 +/- 2.3 N cm-2 and a maximum isotonic power output of 230 +/- 9.2 W kg-1 of muscle (mean +/- S.E.M.). In contrast, the power required to accelerate the animal in the longest jumps measured (approximately 1.4 m) is more than 800 W kg-1 of total hindlimb muscle. The peak instantaneous power is expected to be twice this value. These estimates are probably conservative because the muscles that probably power jumping make up only 85% of the total hindlimb muscle mass. The total mechanical work required of the muscles is high (up to 60 J kg-1), but is within the work capacities predicted for vertebrate skeletal muscle. Clearly, a substantial portion of this work must be performed and stored prior to takeoff to account for the high power output during jumping. Interestingly, muscle work output during jumping is temperature-dependent, with greater work being produced at higher temperatures. The thermal dependence of work does not follow from simple muscle properties and instead must reflect the interaction between these properties and the other components of the skeletomuscular system during the propulsive phase of the jump.
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Roh, Jinsook, Vincent C. K. Cheung, and Emilio Bizzi. "Modules in the brain stem and spinal cord underlying motor behaviors." Journal of Neurophysiology 106, no. 3 (September 2011): 1363–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/jn.00842.2010.
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Previous studies using intact and spinalized animals have suggested that coordinated movements can be generated by appropriate combinations of muscle synergies controlled by the central nervous system (CNS). However, which CNS regions are responsible for expressing muscle synergies remains an open question. We address whether the brain stem and spinal cord are involved in expressing muscle synergies used for executing a range of natural movements. We analyzed the electromyographic (EMG) data recorded from frog leg muscles before and after transection at different levels of the neuraxis—rostral midbrain (brain stem preparations), rostral medulla (medullary preparations), and the spinal-medullary junction (spinal preparations). Brain stem frogs could jump, swim, kick, and step, while medullary frogs could perform only a partial repertoire of movements. In spinal frogs, cutaneous reflexes could be elicited. Systematic EMG analysis found two different synergy types: 1) synergies shared between pre- and posttransection states and 2) synergies specific to individual states. Almost all synergies found in natural movements persisted after transection at rostral midbrain or medulla but not at the spinal-medullary junction for swim and step. Some pretransection- and posttransection-specific synergies for a certain behavior appeared as shared synergies for other motor behaviors of the same animal. These results suggest that the medulla and spinal cord are sufficient for the expression of most muscle synergies in frog behaviors. Overall, this study provides further evidence supporting the idea that motor behaviors may be constructed by muscle synergies organized within the brain stem and spinal cord and activated by descending commands from supraspinal areas.
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Marsh, R. L., and T. L. Taigen. "Properties enhancing aerobic capacity of calling muscles in gray tree frogs Hyla versicolor." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 252, no. 4 (April 1, 1987): R786—R793. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.1987.252.4.r786.
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The muscle features that accommodate the extraordinarily high aerobic respiration during calling by the gray tree frog Hyla versicolor were examined. We compared the muscles used for calling by males (external and internal obliques and laryngeal muscles) with the homologous muscles of females and with the leg muscles of males and females. The leg muscles consisted of 75% by volume fast glycolytic fibers, a composition typical of other muscles described in anuran amphibians. In contrast the calling muscles of males consisted of 100% fast oxidative fibers and had citrate synthase (CS) activities among the highest recorded for ectothermic vertebrates, 65-80 mumol X min-1 X g fresh mass-1. We also noted a strong sexual dimorphism in size and oxidative capacity of these muscles. The external and internal obliques of females weighed an order of magnitude less than the corresponding muscles of males and had CS activities of only 6 mumol X min-1 X g-1. Morphometric measurements of transmission electron micrographs revealed that the calling muscles of males contained high mitochondrial densities (approximately 20% of fiber volume) and capillary densities (approximately 700 mm-2) compared with a representative hindlimb muscle, the sartorius (mitochondrial density, 6% of fiber volume; capillary density, 230 mm-2). These frog muscles, which operate at approximately 20 degrees C, have lower capillary densities per mitochondrial volume than are found in mammalian muscles that function at higher temperatures.
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Wegener, G., and U. Krause. "Different modes of activating phosphofructokinase, a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis, in working vertebrate muscle." Biochemical Society Transactions 30, no. 2 (April 1, 2002): 264–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/bst0300264.
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Glycolytic flux in white muscle can be increased several-hundredfold by exercise. Phosphofructokinase (PFK; EC 2.7.1.11) is a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis, but how its activity in muscle is controlled is not fully understood. In order not to neglect integrative aspects of metabolic regulation, we have studied in frogs (Rana temporaria) a physiological form of muscle work (swimming) that can be triggered like a reflex. We analysed swimming to fatigue in well rested frogs, recovery from exercise, and repeated exercise after 2 h of recovery. At various times, gastrocnemius muscles were tested for glycolytic intermediates and effectors of PFK. All metabolites responded similarly to the two periods of exercise, with the notable exception of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6P2), which we proved to be a most potent activator of frog muscle PFK. The first bout of exercise triggered a more than 10-fold increase in F2,6P2; PFK activity and the content of F2,6P2 in muscle were well correlated. F2,6P2 decreased to pre-exercise levels in fatigued frogs and it virtually disappeared during recovery. Varying by a factor of 70, F2,6P2 was the most dynamic of all metabolites in muscle. Even more surprisingly, F2,6P2 did not respond at all to a second bout of exercise. Other activators of PFK, such as Pi, AMP and ADP, are increased as a consequence of increased ATP turnover in contracting muscle cells. This does not apply to F2,6P2, which is likely to respond to extracellular signals and could be involved in mechanisms by which muscle metabolism is integrated into the metabolism of the whole body. Whether this phenomenon exists in vertebrates other than the frog, and maybe even in humans, and how the content of F2,6P2 in muscle is controlled are intriguing open questions.
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Fournier, P. A., and H. Guderley. "Glucosidic pathways of glycogen breakdown and glucose production by muscle from postexercised frogs." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 265, no. 5 (November 1, 1993): R1141—R1147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.1993.265.5.r1141.
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Muscle and body glucose in frogs increases markedly during the initial hour of recovery after strenuous exercise. The liver is not the major source responsible for this accumulation. This is indicated by the stability of liver glycogen levels after exercise and by the observation that hepatectomized and normal frogs accumulate similar amounts of glucose in their muscles and body during recovery. The renal contribution cannot account for this increase in body glucose. Most of the glucose that accumulates in the body after exercise has a muscular origin, as indicated by the facts that two-thirds of the body glucose is found in muscle and that the intracellular levels of muscle glucose are much higher than those of the plasma. The glucose that accumulates outside muscle may also have a muscular origin. The glucosidic pathways of glycogen breakdown are the only metabolic avenue with sufficient capacity to account for the amount of glucose accumulated in muscle during the first hour of recovery. These results indicate that the ability of an isolated preparation of frog muscle to liberate glucose during recovery from exercise (Fournier et al. J. Biol. Chem. 267: 8234-8238, 1992) is not an artifactual metabolic curiosity but rather a metabolic reality that takes place in vivo. Glucose accumulation during recovery is thought to facilitate the metabolic transition of frog carbohydrate metabolism from a catabolic state, characteristic of exercise, to an anabolic one.
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Ressel, S. J. "Ultrastructural design of anuran muscles used for call production in relation to the thermal environment of a species." Journal of Experimental Biology 204, no. 8 (April 15, 2001): 1445–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.204.8.1445.
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I examined the aerobic trunk muscles, which are used for call production, of male frogs from species that breed in different thermal environments to test the hypothesis that cold-adapted frogs should have fewer capillaries per unit mitochondrial volume in oxidative muscles than warm-adapted frogs because of reduced mitochondrial function at low temperatures. The species of interest were the cold-temperate Pseudacris crucifer and the warm-tropical Hyla microcephala in the family Hylidae, and the cold-temperate Rana sylvatica and the warm-temperate Rana clamitans in the family Ranidae. Trunk-muscle mitochondrial volume, V(V)(mt,f), was proportionally higher in species with higher mean calling rates (number of notes per hour), irrespective of the familial affinity of a species and the thermal environment in which it vocalized. Trunk-muscle capillary length density, J(V)(c,f), was significantly lower in P. crucifer than in H. microcephala because of significantly higher mean fiber area, a-(f). Conversely, trunk-muscle J(V)(c,f) was similar in the two ranid species. Using total capillary length, J(c), and total mitochondrial volume, V(mt,m), as a measure of maximal oxygen supply and demand, respectively, in trunk muscles, J(c)-to-V(mt,m) ratios were significantly lower in cold-adapted P. crucifer (4.3 km cm(−)(3)) and R. sylvatica (4.8 km cm(−)(3)) than in warm-adapted H. microcephala (7.1 km cm(−)(3)) and R. clamitans (6.4 km cm(−)(3)). In contrast, J(c)-to-V(mt,m) ratios in the more anaerobic gastrocnemius muscle of these species was not related to the thermal environment of a species, which may reflect capillaries conforming to microcirculatory functions, e.g. lactate removal, that take precedence over oxygen delivery. Mitochondrial cristae surface area, S(V)(im,mt), in P. crucifer trunk and gastrocnemius muscles (37.7+/−1.6 and 35.9+/−1.5 m(2)cm(−)(3) respectively) was, on average, similar to mammalian values, suggesting equivalent structural capacities of muscle mitochondria in these two taxa. Taken together, the present data suggest that trunk-muscle respiratory design may reflect a capillary supply commensurate with maximal levels of oxygen delivery set by mitochondria operating at different environmental temperatures. P. crucifer and H. microcephala trunk muscles were also characterized by a high lipid content, which contrasted with a near absence of trunk-muscle lipids in R. sylvatica and R. clamitans. The extraordinarily high lipid content of P. crucifer trunk muscles (26 % of muscle volume) may serve as an auxiliary oxygen pathway to mitochondria and thus compensate in part for this tissue's reduced capillary/fiber interface. The effect of potentially high depletion rates of trunk-muscle lipid stores on metabolic rates of male frogs while calling is discussed.
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Burton, Thomas C. "Muscles of the pes of hylid frogs." Journal of Morphology 260, no. 2 (2004): 209–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.10204.
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Yekta, Naushaba, and Daniel G. Blackburn. "Sexual dimorphism in mass and protein content of the forelimb muscles of the northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens." Canadian Journal of Zoology 70, no. 4 (April 1, 1992): 670–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z92-100.
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In certain frogs and toads, forelimb muscles that are used by the male to clasp the female during mating differ structurally and functionally between the two sexes. Sexual dimorphism in musculature of the northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, was quantified with respect to wet mass, lyophilized dry mass, and total protein content of the major muscles of the adult forelimb. Of the 19 muscles studied, most were significantly heavier in males than in females in terms of dry mass (13 muscles) and wet mass (14 muscles), although females were larger in body mass and snout–vent length. Muscles exhibited a gradient of sexual dimorphism; mean dry mass of dimorphic muscles in females ranged from 8.8 to 90.9% of the mean mass of corresponding male muscles. The most dimorphic muscles were those that adduct the forearm, flex the elbow, flex the wrist, and abduct the first digit. Muscles that were sexually dimorphic in dry mass differed significantly between the sexes in total protein content but not in protein concentration or water content.
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Ritter, D., and K. Nishikawa. "The kinematics and mechanism of prey capture in the African pig-nosed frog (Hemisus marmoratum): description of a radically divergent anuran tongue." Journal of Experimental Biology 198, no. 9 (September 1, 1995): 2025–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.198.9.2025.
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High-speed videography and muscle denervation experiments were used to quantify the feeding kinematics of Hemisus marmoratum and to test hypotheses of muscle function. The feeding behavior of H. marmoratum, which feeds on ants and termites, differs radically from that of other frogs that have been studied. During feeding in H. marmoratum, the tongue 'telescopes' straight out of the mouth, as opposed to the 'flipping' tongue trajectory observed in most other frogs. At the time of prey contact, two lateral lobes of tissue at the tongue tip envelop the prey. These lateral lobes are capable of applying significant pulling forces to the prey and the tongue is, therefore, described as prehensile. The trajectory of the tongue can be adjusted throughout protraction so that the frog can 'aim' its tongue in all three dimensions; distance, azimuth and elevation. Bilateral denervation of the genioglossus muscles results in a complete lack of tongue protraction, indicating that the genioglossus muscle is the main tongue protractor in H. marmoratum, as in other frogs. Thus, H. marmoratum provides strong evidence of functional conservatism of the genioglossus muscle within anurans. Bilateral denervation of the hyoglossus muscle indicates that although the hyoglossus is involved in several aspects of normal tongue retraction, including the prehensile capability of the tongue tip, it is not necessary for tongue retraction. Unilateral denervation of the genioglossus muscle causes significant deviation of the tongue towards the denervated side, providing evidence for a mechanism of lateral tongue aiming. On the basis of the kinematics of prey capture, the anatomy of the tongue and the results of the denervation experiments, we propose that H. marmoratum uses a hydraulic mechanism to protract its tongue.
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Layne, J. R., and M. C. First. "Resumption of physiological functions in the wood frog (Rana sylvatica) after freezing." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 261, no. 1 (July 1, 1991): R134—R137. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.1991.261.1.r134.
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We monitored the resumption of physiological functions in frogs that were frozen at -2 to -3 degrees C for 24 h and thawed rapidly (at 23-25 degrees C) or slowly (at 6-8 degrees C). Bodily functions were restored sooner during fast thawing, but this did not enhance the survival of frogs. The first physiological parameter to return was cardiac function, but during the early stages of thawing heart rates were lower than heart rates of unfrozen frogs at comparable body temperatures. Heart rates increased thereafter in conjunction with the rise in frog body temperatures. Spontaneous breathing and hindleg reflexes resumed after cardiac function, but neither response was exhibited by all frogs after the conclusion of the observation periods (3-4 h). Finally, isolated gastrocnemius muscles that had undergone in vitro freezing showed no significant (P greater than 0.05) impairment of twitch and tetanic tensions even as soon as 1 h after the onset of thawing. Body systems thus vary in their rates of recovery after nonlethal freezing episodes. Furthermore, recovery of specific body systems corresponds to essential needs that must be met immediately after thawing, such as reperfusion of body tissues.
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Donohoe, P. H., T. G. West, and R. G. Boutilier. "Factors affecting membrane permeability and ionic homeostasis in the cold-submerged frog." Journal of Experimental Biology 203, no. 2 (January 15, 2000): 405–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.203.2.405.
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Frogs (Rana temporaria) were submerged at 3 degrees C in either normoxic (P(O2)=155 mmHg, P(O2)=20 kPa) or hypoxic (P(O2)=60 mmHg; P(O2)=8 kPa) water for up to 16 weeks, and denied air access, to mimic the conditions of an ice-covered pond during the winter. The activity of the skeletal muscle Na(+)/K(+) pump over the first 2 months of hibernation, measured by ouabain-inhibitable (22)Na(+) efflux, was reduced by 30 % during normoxia and by up to 50 % during hypoxia. The reduction in Na(+)/K(+) pump activity was accompanied by reductions in passive (22)Na(+) influx and (86)Rb(+) efflux (effectively K(+) efflux) across the sarcolemma. This may be due to a decreased Na(+) permeability of the sarcolemma and a 75 % reduction in K(+) leak mediated by ATP-sensitive K(+) channels (‘K(ATP)’ channels). The lowered rates of (22)Na(+) and (86)Rb(+) flux are coincident with lowered transmembrane ion gradients for [Na(+)] and [K(+)], which may also lower Na(+)/K(+) pump activity. The dilution of extracellular [Na(+)] and intracellular [K(+)] may be partially explained by increased water retention by the whole animal, although measurements of skeletal muscle fluid compartments using (3)H-labelled inulin suggested that the reduced ion gradients represented a new steady state for skeletal muscle. Conversely, intracellular ion homeostasis within ventricular muscle was maintained at pre-submergence levels, despite a significant increase in tissue water content, with the exception of the hypoxic frogs following 4 months of submergence. Both ventricular muscles and skeletal muscles maintained resting membrane potential at pre-submergence levels throughout the entire period of hibernation. The ability of the skeletal muscle to maintain its resting membrane potential, coincident with decreased Na(+)/K(+) pump activity and lowered membrane permeability, provided evidence of functional channel arrest as an energy-sparing strategy during hibernation in the cold-submerged frog.
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Priyambada, Supriya, Lakshmi Deepika P., and Singamma M. "The study of skeletal muscle relaxant property of pheniramine maleate in acetylcholine induced contractions on isolated frog rectus muscle." International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology 7, no. 3 (February 22, 2018): 396. http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20180648.
Full textAbstract:
Background: A muscle relaxant is a drug which affects skeletal muscle function and decreases the muscle tone. It may be used to alleviate symptoms such as muscle spasm, pain and hyperreflexia. Skeletal muscle relaxants are heterogeneous group of medications that refer to 2 major therapeutic groups: neuromuscular blockers and spasmolytics. This study is carried out to evaluate the skeletal muscle property of Pheniramine maleate in Acetylcholine Induced Contractions on Isolated Frog Rectus Muscle.Methods: There are various screening techniques available to assess the muscle relaxant property of a drug. For initial screening, frog rectus muscle is used. Here frogs are divided into 4 different groups. Each group contains 6 isolated frog rectus muscles. The experiment is carried out by adding 100μg, 200μg, 400μg and 800μg of pheniramine maleate with 80μg of acetylcholine to the organ bath and response is recorded by kymograph.Results: Pheniramine maleate in various doses like 100μg, 200μg, 400μg and 800μg with 80μg of acetylcholine 100μg showed the maximum contractions of frog rectus muscle in kymograph. At all the doses of Pheniramine maleate, it showed a significant effect of skeletal muscle relaxant property.Conclusions: In conclusion with work done by using pheniramine maleate in different doses along with 80μg of acetylcholine. Pheniramine maleate showed the maximum skeletal muscle relaxant property on frog rectus muscle at 800μg dose.
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Marsh, R. L. "Contractile properties of muscles used in sound production and locomotion in two species of gray tree frog." Journal of Experimental Biology 202, no. 22 (November 15, 1999): 3215–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.202.22.3215.
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The sound-producing muscles of frogs and toads are interesting because they have been selected to produce high-power outputs at high frequencies. The two North American species of gray tree frog, Hyla chrysoscelis and Hyla versicolor, are a diploid-tetraploid species pair. They are morphologically identical, but differ in the structure of their advertisement calls. H. chrysoscelis produces very loud pulsed calls by contracting its calling muscles at approximately 40 Hz at 20 degrees C, whereas, H. versicolor operates the homologous muscles at approximately 20 Hz at this temperature. This study examined the matching of the intrinsic contractile properties of the calling muscles to their frequency of use. I measured the isotonic and isometric contractile properties of two calling muscles, the laryngeal dilator, which presumably has a role in modulating call structure, and the external oblique, which is one of the muscles that provides the mechanical power for calling. I also examined the properties of the sartorius as a representative locomotor muscle. The calling muscles differ greatly in twitch kinetics between the two species. The calling muscles of H. chrysoscelis reach peak tension in a twitch after approximately 15 ms, compared with 25 ms for the same muscles in H. versicolor. The muscles also differ significantly in isotonic properties in the direction predicted from their calling frequencies. However, the maximum shortening velocities of the calling muscles of H. versicolor are only slightly lower than those of the comparable muscles of H. chrysoscelis. The calling muscles have similar maximum shortening velocities to the sartorius, but have much flatter force-velocity curves, which may be an adaptation to their role in cyclical power output. I conclude that twitch properties have been modified more by selection than have intrinsic shortening velocities. This difference corresponds to the differing roles of shortening velocity and twitch kinetics in determining power output at differing frequencies.
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Girgenrath, M., and R. L. Marsh. "In vivo performance of trunk muscles in tree frogs during calling." Journal of Experimental Biology 200, no. 24 (December 1, 1997): 3101–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.200.24.3101.
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We used high-speed video and electromyography (EMG) to measure in vivo performance of the trunk muscles (external obliques) in two related species of North American gray tree frogs, Hyla versicolor and Hyla chrysoscelis. Both species produce trilled calls with high sound intensity, but the sound pulse frequency within calls in H. chrysoscelis is twice that in H. versicolor. In both species, sound pulse frequency is directly correlated with the active contractions of the trunk muscles. The length trajectory during contraction and relaxation displays a saw-tooth pattern with a longer shortening phase compared with the lengthening phase. The longer time spent shortening may enhance power production, because the shortening phase is the active part of the cycle during which the muscle produces positive work. A similar total strain (approximately 21 % and approximately 19 % in H. versicolor and H. chrysoscelis respectively) is achieved in the first few pulses, and during subsequent pulses the muscle cycles with a reduced pulse strain (approximately 12 % and approximately 7.3 % in H. versicolor and H. chrysoscelis respectively). The higher pulse frequencies of H. chrysoscelis are thus associated with lower pulse strains. The EMG pattern is different in the two species. A single EMG stimulus occurs for each cycle in H. chrysoscelis, but two stimuli per cycle are found in H. versicolor. Indirect evidence suggests that the initial phase of shortening during a pulse is partly due to elastic recoil of the trunk.
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Pshennikova, Elena S., and Anna S. Voronina. "Melanophores inside Frogs." International Letters of Natural Sciences 71 (September 2018): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.18052/www.scipress.com/ilns.71.1.
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Melanocytes/melanophores were known for some decades as pigment cells in skin. The origin of these cells in embryogenesis from neural crest cells is actively investigated now. Some melanocytes/melanophores were described inside adult vertebrates. Historically, these internal melanocytes have been largely ignored, until recently. In frogs, the melanophores populate not only the skin, but all the inner connective tissues: epineurium, peritoneum, mesentery, outer vascular layer and skin underside. In adult avian, melanocytes were also found in visceral connective tissues, periostea, muscles, ovaries and the peritoneum. In mammals and humans, melanocytes are also revealed in eyes, ears, heart and brain. A black-brownish pigment, which can be found in brains of humans and some mammals, was called neuromelanin. Currently, attempts are being made to treat neurodegenerative diseases and various nerve injuries with medications containing melanin. In this micro-review, we wanted to remind again about the inner melanophores on visceral organs and lining blood vessels and nerves, their importance in organisms resistance to adverse environmental factors.
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Akama, Kazuhito, Yasuka Shimajiri, Kumiko Kainou, Ryota Iwasaki, Reiko Nakao, Takeshi Nikawa, and Akio Nishikawa. "Functional rice with tandemly repeated Cbl-b ubiquitin ligase inhibitory pentapeptide prevents denervation-induced muscle atrophy in vivo." Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 85, no. 6 (April 17, 2021): 1415–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bbb/zbab059.
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ABSTRACT Ubiquitin ligase Casitas B-lineage lymphoma-b (Cbl-b) play a critical role in nonloading-mediated skeletal muscle atrophy: Cbl-b ubiquitinates insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), leading to its degradation and a resulting loss in muscle mass. We reported that intramuscular injection of a pentapeptide, DGpYMP, which acts as a mimic of the phosphorylation site in IRS-1, significantly inhibited denervation-induced skeletal muscle loss. In order to explore the possibility of the prevention of muscle atrophy by diet therapy, we examined the effects of oral administration of transgenic rice containing Cblin (Cbl-b inhibitor) peptide (DGYMP) on denervation-induced muscle mass loss in frogs. We generated transgenic rice seeds in which 15 repeats of Cblin peptides with a WQ spacer were inserted into the rice storage protein glutelin. A diet of the transgenic rice seeds had significant inhibitory effects on denervation-induced atrophy of the leg skeletal muscles in frogs, compared with those receiving a diet of wild-type rice.
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McLister, D., E. D. Stevens, and J. P. Bogart. "Comparative contractile dynamics of calling and locomotor muscles in three hylid frogs." Journal of Experimental Biology 198, no. 7 (July 1, 1995): 1527–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.198.7.1527.
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Isometric twitch and tetanus parameters, force-velocity curves, maximum shortening velocity (Vmax) and percentage relaxation between stimuli (%R) across a range of stimulus frequencies were determined for a muscle used during call production (the tensor chordarum) and a locomotor muscle (the sartorius) for three species of hylid frogs, Hyla chrysoscelis, H. versicolor and H. cinerea. The call of H. chrysoscelis has a note repetition rate (NRR) approximately twice as fast as the call of H. versicolor (28.3, 42.5 and 56.8 notes s-1 for H. chrysoscelis and 14.8, 21.1 and 27.4 notes s-1 for H. versicolor at 15, 20 and 25 degrees C, respectively). Hyla cinerea calls at a very slow NRR (Approximately 3 notes s-1 at 25 degrees C). Hyla versicolor evolved from H. chrysoscelis via autopolyploidy, so the mating call of H. chrysoscelis is presumably the ancestral mating call of H. versicolor. For the tensor chordarum of H. chrysoscelis, H. versicolor and H. cinerea at 25 degrees C, mean twitch duration (19.2, 30.0 and 52.9 ms, respectively), maximum isometric tension (P0; 55.0, 94.4 and 180.5 kN m-2, respectively), tetanic half-relaxation time (17.2, 28.7 and 60.6 ms, respectively) and Vmax (4.7, 5.2 and 2.1 lengths s-1, respectively) differed significantly (P < 0.05) among all three species. The average time of tetanic contraction to half-P0 did not differ significantly between H. chrysoscelis (14.5 ms) and H. versicolor (15.8 ms) but was significantly longer for H. cinerea (52.6 ms). At 25 degrees C, Vmax differed significantly among the sartorius muscles of H. chrysoscelis, H. versicolor and H. cinerea (5.2, 7.0 and 9.8 lengths s-1, respectively) but mean twitch duration (29.5, 32.2 and 38.7 ms, respectively), P0 (252.2, 240.7 and 285.1 kN m-2, respectively) and tetanic half-relaxation time (56.3, 59.5 and 60.7 ms, respectively) did not differ significantly. The average time of contraction to half-P0 did not differ significantly between H. chrysoscelis (23.7 ms) and H. versicolor (22.9 ms) but was significantly shorter for H. cinerea (15.6 ms). The only consistent contractile differences found in this study between the calling muscle and locomotor muscle of H. chrysoscelis, H. versicolor and H. cinerea were that the calling muscles generated less tension and their force-velocity relationship was much more linear. These differences may be attributable to ultrastructural differences between calling and locomotor muscles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Kelley, Darcy B., Martha L. Tobias, and Mark Ellisman. "Androgen-induced plasticity at a “vocal” neuromuscular synapse." Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America 52 (1994): 32–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0424820100167895.
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Brain and muscle are sexually differentiated tissues in which masculinization is controlled by the secretion of androgens from the testes. Sensitivity to androgen is conferred by the expression of an intracellular protein, the androgen receptor. A central problem of sexual differentiation is thus to understand the cellular and molecular basis of androgen action. We do not understand how hormone occupancy of a receptor translates into an alteration in the developmental program of the target cell. Our studies on sexual differentiation of brain and muscle in Xenopus laevis are designed to explore the molecular basis of androgen induced sexual differentiation by examining how this hormone controls the masculinization of brain and muscle targets.Our approach to this problem has focused on a highly androgen sensitive, sexually dimorphic neuromuscular system: laryngeal muscles and motor neurons of the clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. We have been studying sex differences at a synapse, the laryngeal neuromuscular junction, which mediates sexually dimorphic vocal behavior in Xenopus laevis frogs.
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Burton, Thomas C. "Variation in the foot muscles of frogs of the family Myobatrachidae." Australian Journal of Zoology 49, no. 5 (2001): 539. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo01045.
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The hind-foot musculature of representatives of all myobatrachid frog genera was examined with a view to finding phylogenetic characters and characters correlated with the burrowing habit. Despite much intraspecific variation, evidence was found to support the monophyly of Mixophyes(possession of a fibrous section in the tendon of insertion of the m. lumbricalis longus digiti V, tendinous insertion of the m abductors brevis dorsalis digiti V), Rheobatrachus (threefold insertion of the m. extensor longus digiti IV), Neobatrachus +Heleioporus (possession of the m. lumbricalis longus digiti II), Pseudophryne + Metacrinia(loss or reduction of medial slip of the m. lumbricalis brevis digiti V), Adelotus + Heleioporus +Limnodynastes (minus L. ornatus-group) +Neobatrachus+Notaden (possession of a transversus-like muscle between the first metatarsus and the prehallux), and Rheobatrachus + Myobatrachinae (reduction of the m. plantaris brevis plantaris digiti V). Differences were found in the musculature associated with the metatarsal tubercles between (a) rear-foot-burrowing frogs of the genera Notaden, Neobatrachus,Heleioporus and Limnodynastes (minus L. ornatusandL. spenceri); (b)L. ornatus and L. spenceri; and (c)Uperoleia. The differences indicate separate evolution of burrowing in these taxa. A new muscle, the m. adductor praehallucis, is described. From its structure and distribution among species, this muscle appears to be associated with the burrowing habit.
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Nishikawa, Kiisa C. "Neuromuscular control of prey capture in frogs." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences 354, no. 1385 (May 29, 1999): 941–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.1999.0445.
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While retaining a feeding apparatus that is surprisingly conservative morphologically, frogs as a group exhibit great variability in the biomechanics of tongue protraction during prey capture, which in turn is related to differences in neuromuscular control. In this paper, I address the following three questions. (1) How do frog tongues differ biomechanically? (2) What anatomical and physiological differences are responsible? (3) How is biomechanics related to mechanisms of neuromuscular control? Frog species use three non–exclusive mechanisms to protract their tongues during feeding: (i) mechanical pulling, in which the tongue shortens as its muscles contract during protraction; (ii) inertial elongation, in which the tongue lengthens under inertial and muscular loading; and (iii) hydrostatic elongation, in which the tongue lengthens under constraints imposed by the constant volume of a muscular hydrostat. Major differences among these functional types include (i) the amount and orientation of collagen fibres associated with the tongue muscles and the mechanical properties that this connective tissue confers to the tongue as a whole; and (ii) the transfer of inertia from the opening jaws to the tongue, which probably involves a catch mechanism that increases the acceleration achieved during mouth opening. The mechanisms of tongue protraction differ in the types of neural mechanisms that are used to control tongue movements, particularly in the relative importance of feed–forward versus feedback control, in requirements for precise interjoint coordination, in the size and number of motor units, and in the afferent pathways that are involved in coordinating tongue and jaw movements. Evolution of biomechanics and neuromuscular control of frog tongues provides an example in which neuromuscular control is finely tuned to the biomechanical constraints and opportunities provided by differences in morphological design among species.
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Santos-Santos, Javier H., Brett M. Culbert, and Emily M. Standen. "Kinematic performance and muscle activation patterns during post-freeze locomotion in the Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 96, no. 7 (July 2018): 728–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2017-0240.
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Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica LeConte, 1825 = Lithobates sylvaticus (LeConte, 1825)) exhibit one of the most extreme freeze tolerance responses found in vertebrates. While extensive work is continuing to resolve the physiological mechanisms involved, few have studied the effects of freezing on locomotor performance. The ability to mount an appropriate locomotor response is vital, as locomotion can affect both survivorship and reproductive success. To investigate how the biomechanical processes during locomotion are altered following freezing, stroke cycle timings and kinematic performance were measured prior to and immediately following a freeze–thaw cycle. Additionally, the effects of cooling rate (0.3 versus 0.8 °C/h) were also assessed. While jumping and swimming performance were both reduced post-freeze, the effects were more pronounced during swimming, with observed reductions in velocity and distance travelled. Interestingly, these changes occurred largely independent of cooling rate. Altered stroke cycle timings and highly variable muscle activation/deactivation patterns suggest an impairment in muscle function as frogs continued to recover from the effects of freezing. This was supported by the physiology of frogs post-freeze, specifically, the persistence of elevated glucose levels in muscles important during locomotion. Collectively, these findings suggest that reductions in locomotor performance observed immediately following a freeze–thaw cycle are driven by alterations in muscle function.
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Girgenrath, M., and R. L. Marsh. "Power output of sound-producing muscles in the tree frogs Hyla versicolor and Hyla chrysoscelis." Journal of Experimental Biology 202, no. 22 (November 15, 1999): 3225–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.202.22.3225.
Full textAbstract:
Sound-producing muscles provide the opportunity of studying the limits of power production at high contractile frequencies. We used the work loop technique to determine the power available from the external oblique muscles in two related species of North American gray tree frog, Hyla chrysoscelis and Hyla versicolor. These trunk muscles contract cyclically, powering high-intensity sound production in anuran amphibians. The external oblique muscles in H. chrysoscelis have an in vivo operating frequency of 40–55 Hz at 20–25 degrees C, whereas in H. versicolor these muscles contract with a frequency of 20–25 Hz at these temperatures. In vivo investigations have shown that these muscles use an asymmetrical sawtooth length trajectory (with a longer shortening phase compared with the lengthening phase) during natural cycles. To study the influence of this particular length trajectory on power output, we subjected the muscles to both sinusoidal and sawtooth length trajectories. In both species, the sawtooth trajectory yielded a significantly higher power output than the sinusoidal length pattern. The maximum power output during sawtooth cycles was similar in both species (54 W kg(−)(1) in H. chrysoscelis and 58 W kg(−)(1) in H. versicolor). These values are impressive, particularly at the operating frequencies and temperatures of the muscle. The sinusoidal length trajectory yielded only 60 % of the total power output compared with the sawtooth trajectory (34 W kg(−)(1) for H. chrysoscelis and 36 W kg(−)(1) for H. versicolor). The optimum cycle frequencies maximizing the power output using a sawtooth length pattern were approximately 44 Hz for H. chrysoscelis and 21 Hz for H. versicolor. These frequencies are close to those used by the two species during calling. Operating at higher frequencies, H. chrysoscelis maximized power at a strain amplitude of only 8 % compared with a value of 12 % in H. versicolor. These strains match those used in vivo during calling. The stimulus timing observed in vivo during calling was also similar to that yielding maximum power at optimal frequency in both species (6 ms and 8 ms before the start of shortening in H. chrysoscelis and H. versicolor, respectively). As expected, twitch duration in H. chrysoscelis is much shorter than that in H. versicolor (23 ms and 37 ms, respectively). There was a less remarkable difference between their maximum shortening velocities (V(max)) of 13.6 L(0)s(−)(1) in H. chrysoscelis and 11.1 L(0)s(−)(1) in H. versicolor, where L(0) is muscle length. The force-velocity curves are very flat, which increases power output. At the myofibrillar level, the flat force-velocity curves more than compensate for the lower peak isometric force found in these muscles. The data presented here emphasize the importance of incorporating in vivo variables in designing in vitro studies.
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Girgenrath, Mahasweta, and Richard L. Marsh. "Season and testosterone affect contractile properties of fast calling muscles in the gray tree frog Hyla chrysoscelis." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 284, no. 6 (June 1, 2003): R1513—R1520. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00243.2002.
Full textAbstract:
In anurans, circulating levels of androgens influence certain secondary sexual characteristics that are expressed only during the breeding season. We studied the contractile properties of external oblique muscles (used to power sound production) in a species of North American gray tree frog, Hyla chrysoscelis, during the breeding season and also in testosterone-treated captive males and females after the breeding season. Compared with the muscles of breeding-season males, the trunk muscles of postbreeding-season males have 50% less mass, 60% longer twitches, and 40% slower shortening velocities. Testosterone levels similar to those found in breeding-season male hylid frogs restore the contractile speed and mass of male trunk muscles and also convert the small slow trunk muscles of females into larger fast-contracting muscles. We conclude that androgens likely play a key role in altering the contractile properties of these muscles in males during the annual cycle, allowing them to operate in the breeding season at the frequencies required to produce the characteristic rapidly pulsed calls of this species. Females as well as nonbreeding-season males do not produce advertising calls, and therefore the slower muscles found in these animals may allow more economic operation of these muscles. The effects of testosterone on female trunk muscles indicate the potential of this hormone in contributing to the sexual dimorphism in size and contractile properties of these muscles, but this dimorphism is likely due to the interaction of more than one hormone.
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Wilson, Robbie S., Rob S. James, and Raoul Van Damme. "Trade-offs between speed and endurance in the frogXenopus laevis." Journal of Experimental Biology 205, no. 8 (April 15, 2002): 1145–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.205.8.1145.
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SUMMARYOne of the most interesting trade-offs within the vertebrate locomotor system is that between speed and endurance capacity. However, few studies have demonstrated a conflict between whole-animal speed and endurance within a vertebrate species. We investigated the existence of trade-offs between speed and endurance capacity at both the whole-muscle and whole-animal levels in post-metamorphs of the frog Xenopus laevis. The burst-swimming performance of 55 frogs was assessed using a high-speed digital camera, and their endurance capacity was measured in a constant-velocity swimming flume.The work-loop technique was used to assess maximum power production of whole peroneus muscles at a cycle frequency of 6 Hz, while fatigue-resistance was determined by recording the decrease in force and net power production during a set of continuous cycles at 2 Hz. We found no significant correlations between measures of burst swimming performance and endurance capacity, suggesting that there is no trade-off between these two measures of whole-animal performance. In contrast, there was a significant negative correlation between peak instantaneous power output of the muscles at 6 Hz and the fatigue-resistance of force production at 2 Hz (other correlations between power and fatigue were negative but non-significant). Thus, our data support the suggestion that a physiological conflict between maximum power output and fatigue resistance exists at the level of vertebrate muscles. The apparent incongruence between whole-muscle and whole-animal performance warrants further detailed investigation and may be related to factors influencing both whole-muscle and whole-animal performance measures.
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Previatto, DM, and SR Posso. "Jaw musculature of Cyclarhis gujanensis (Aves: Vireonidae)." Brazilian Journal of Biology 75, no. 3 (September 25, 2015): 655–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.20113.
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AbstractCyclarhis gujanensis is a little bird which feeds on high number of large preys, such frogs, lizards, snakes, bats and birds. As there are few studies on the cranial anatomy of this species, we aimed to describe the cranial myology to contribute to the anatomical knowledge of this species and to make some assumptions about functional anatomy. Thus, we described the muscles from the jaw apparatus (external and internal adductor muscles, the muscles of the pterygoid system and the depressor muscles of the mandible). The adductor system is the greatest and multipinulated, particularly in its origin in the caudal portion of the temporal fossa. The depressor jaw muscles systems are enlarged with many components in complexity. The most of jaw apparatus muscles are short, but the strength (biting or crushing forces) from short feeding apparatus fibers probably is increased by high number of components and pinnulation. These anatomical aspects of the muscles indicate a considerable force in the jaws, without which C. gujanensis probably could not cut their prey into smaller pieces. However, functional approaches to analysis of forces of the muscle fibers are needed to corroborate / refute the hypotheses mentioned above.
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Richards, Christopher T. "Energy Flow in Multibody Limb Models: A Case Study in Frogs." Integrative and Comparative Biology 59, no. 6 (September 6, 2019): 1559–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icb/icz142.
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Abstract A frog jump is both simple and difficult to comprehend. The center-of-mass (COM) follows a two-dimensional (2D) path; it accelerates diagonally upward, then traces a predictable arc in flight. Despite this simplicity, the leg segments trace intricate trajectories to drive the COM both upwards and forwards. Because the frog sits crouched with sprawled legs, segments must pivot, tilt, and twist; they solve a long-recognized problem of converting non-linear 3D motion of the leg segments to linear 2D motion of the COM. I use mathematical approaches borrowed from robotics to address: How do frogs manipulate the flow of kinetic energy through their body to influence jump trajectory? I address (1) transfer of motion through kinematic transmission and (2) transfer of motion through dynamic coupling of segment mass-inertia properties. Using a multi-body simulation, I explore how segment acceleration induces rotations at neighboring segments (even without accounting for bi-articular muscles). During jumps, this inertial coupling mechanism is likely crucial for modulating the direction of travel. The frog case study highlights a useful computational framework for studying how limb joints produce coordinated motion.
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Lutz, G. J., and L. C. Rome. "Muscle function during jumping in frogs. I. Sarcomere length change, EMG pattern, and jumping performance." American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology 271, no. 2 (August 1, 1996): C563—C570. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.1996.271.2.c563.
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We determined the influence of temperature on muscle function during jumping to better understand how the frog muscular system is designed to generate a high level of mechanical power. Maximal jumping performance and the in vivo operating conditions of the semimembranosus muscle (SM), a hip extensor, were measured and related to the mechanical properties of the isolated SM in the accompanying paper [Muscle function during jumping in frogs. II. Mechanical properties of muscle: implication for system design. Am. J. Physiol. 271 (Cell Physiol. 40): C571-C578, 1996]. Reducing temperature from 25 to 15 degrees C caused a 1.75-fold decline in peak mechanical power generation and a proportional decline in aerial jump distance. The hip and knee joint excursions were nearly the same at both temperatures. Accordingly, sarcomeres shortened over the same range (2.4 to 1.9 microns) at both temperatures, corresponding to myofilament overlap at least 90% of maximal. At the low temperature, however, movements were made more slowly. Angular velocities were 1.2- to 1.4-fold lower, and ground contact time was increased by 1.33-fold at 15 degrees C. Average shortening velocity of the SM was only 1.2-fold lower at 15 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. The low Q10 of velocity is in agreement with that predicted for muscles shortening against an inertial load.
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Dobretsov, M. G., A. L. Zefirov, R. S. Kurtasanov, I. A. Khalilov, and I. M. Vinogradova. "Complex nerve terminal formation in the phasic muscles of frogs." Neurophysiology 22, no. 1 (1990): 82–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf01052060.
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Romanova, E. B., E. S. Ryabinina, and A. V. Boryakov. "Heavy Metal Accumulation in the Tissues and Organs of Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) and Pelophylax lessonae (Camerano, 1882) (Amphibia: Ranidae) Living in the Waterbodies of Nizhniy Novgorod." Povolzhskiy Journal of Ecology, no. 3 (November 19, 2020): 336–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.35885/1684-7318-2020-3-336-352.
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A comprehensive atomic-emission study and comparative assessment were done of the content and distribution of heavy metals (Mn, Cu, Cr, Al, Fe, Zn, and Sr) in the organs and tissues (muscles, skin, bones, gonads, liver, heart, spleen, and blood) of marsh and pool frogs collected in the lakes of a big industrial city (Nizhni Novgorod). High concentrations of heavy metals were found in the spleen (Cr), bones (Zn and Sr), liver (Cu) of lake frogs. High coefficients of the biological absorption of Mn, Sr, Zn (bone tissue), Fe (liver, spleen), and Cu (heart) were found in pool frogs. The cumulative properties of heavy metals were estimated from the accumulation coefficient established. Species regularities of heavy metal accumulation from water are presented in descending order as the following series: Zn > Cr > Al > Cu > Fe > Sr > Mn for pool frogs; and Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Al > Sr for marsh frogs. The priority intake of chromium, manganese, aluminum and strontium from the aqueous medium into the body occurred through the skin. Active zinc accumulation occurred mainly through food, which was confirmed by high values of the biological absorption coefficient of zinc for the liver of Pelophylax ridibundus and Pelophylax lessonae. The dependence of the heavy metal accumulation in the muscles from the organs in contact with the external environment (skin) and the digestive system (liver) was established by regression analysis. The most important adaptation of tailless amphibians is their ability to prevent excessive accumulation of heavy metals in their body, while living in the conditions of increased environmental pollution. Our results obtained speak for the high accumulation of heavy metals in the body of tailless amphibians, determined by the conditions of the aquatic environment and the bioavailability of these metals.
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Stinner, J. N., and L. K. Hartzler. "Effect of temperature on pH and electrolyte concentration in air-breathing ectotherms." Journal of Experimental Biology 203, no. 13 (July 1, 2000): 2065–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.203.13.2065.
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The aim of this study was to determine the effects of temperature upon pH, protein charge and acid-base-relevant ion exchange in air-breathing ectotherms. Plasma and skeletal muscles in cane toads (Bufo marinus) and bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) were examined at 30, 20 and 10 degrees C. In addition, skeletal muscle ion concentrations were examined in black racer snakes (Coluber constrictor) at 30 and 10 degrees C. Cooling the amphibians produced a reduction in most of the plasma ion concentrations (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Cl(−), SO(4)(2)(−)) and in protein concentration because of increased hydration. Between 30 and 10 degrees C, total plasma osmolality fell by 14 % in the toads and by 5 % in the frogs. Plasma protein charge, calculated using the principle of electroneutrality, was unaffected by temperature, except possibly for the toads at 10 degrees C. The in vivo skeletal muscle capdelta pHi/ capdelta T ratio, where pHi is intracellular pH and T is temperature, between 30 and 20 degrees C averaged −0.014 degrees C(−)(1) in the toads and −0.019 degrees C(−)(1) in the frogs. Between 20 and 10 degrees C, there was no change in pHi in the toads and a −0.005 degrees C(−)(1) change in the frogs. The in vitro skeletal muscle capdelta pHi/ capdelta T averaged −0.011 degrees C(−)(1) in both toads and frogs. In all three species, skeletal muscle inulin space declined with cooling. Intracellular ion concentrations were calculated by subtracting extracellular fluid ion concentrations from whole-muscle ion concentrations. In general, temperature had a large effect upon intracellular ion concentrations (Na(+), K(+), Cl(−)) and intracellular CO(2) levels. The relevance of the changes in intracellular ion concentration to skeletal muscle acid-base status and protein charge and the possible mechanisms producing the adjustments in intracellular ion concentration are discussed. It is concluded that ion-exchange mechanisms make an important contribution to adjusting pH with changes in temperature.
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Keeffe, Rachel, and David C. Blackburn. "Comparative morphology of the humerus in forward-burrowing frogs." Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 131, no. 2 (August 28, 2020): 291–303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blaa092.
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Abstract Burrowing is one of the many locomotor modes of frogs (order Anura) and is found within many clades. Burrowing is generally categorized into two groups: forward-burrowing and backward-burrowing. While forward-burrowing is more rare than backward-burrowing, we show that it has evolved independently at least eight times across anurans and is correlated with distinct features of the external and internal anatomy. The shape of the humerus is especially important for forward-burrowing, as many species use their forelimbs for digging. Using X-ray computed tomography data, we characterize shape variation in the humerus, including three-dimensional (3D) morphometrics, assess the morphology of muscles related to this variation in the humerus, and discuss the mechanical and evolutionary consequences of our results. We show that the humeri of most forward-burrowing frogs are morphologically distinct from those of non-forward-burrowers, including features such as a curved and thick diaphysis, the presence of a pronounced ventral crest, and relatively large epicondyles and humeral head. Our findings also suggest that pectoral muscle anatomy differs substantially among burrowing modes in frogs. This work provides a framework for predicting locomotor modes in taxa for which the natural history is poorly known as well as extinct taxa.
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Marsh, R. L., and H. B. John-Alder. "Jumping performance of hylid frogs measured with high-speed cine film." Journal of Experimental Biology 188, no. 1 (March 1, 1994): 131–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.188.1.131.
Full textAbstract:
Jumping performance at 20 degrees C was assessed in five species of hylid frogs using high-speed cine film. Mean takeoff velocities (Vt) varied from 1.5 to 2.4 ms-1 among the species. Peak Vt varied from 1.9 to 2.9 ms-1. Body-mass-specific power output averaged over the entire takeoff period varied from 29 to 91 W kg-1 during the jumps with the highest takeoff velocities. These values are similar to those predicted from jumping distance. As the mass of muscles available to power the jump probably amounts to no more than 17% of the body mass, average muscle-mass-specific power can be over 500 W kg-1. The performance during jumping is even more impressive in view of the fact that the peak power during takeoff is about twice the average power. These frogs must use elastic storage to redistribute power during takeoff to produce the peak power required and may use pre-storage of elastic energy to boost the average power available.
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Ressel, Stephen J. "Ultrastructural Properties of Muscles Used for Call Production in Neotropical Frogs." Physiological Zoology 69, no. 4 (July 1996): 952–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/physzool.69.4.30164237.
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Potter, Kristen A., Tina Bose, and Ayako Yamaguchi. "Androgen-Induced Vocal Transformation in Adult Female African Clawed Frogs." Journal of Neurophysiology 94, no. 1 (July 2005): 415–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/jn.01279.2004.
Full textAbstract:
Sex-specific behaviors of some vertebrates are reversible by androgen administered in adulthood. Such behavioral transformations in adulthood provide opportunities to identify how neural systems reconfigure to produce sex-specific behavior. In this study, we focused on the vocalizations of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. Male and female adult Xenopus produce sexually distinct vocalizations; males produce series of rapid clicks, whereas females produce slow trains of clicks. The differences in click rate can be reduced to differences in the firing rate of laryngeal motoneurons in vivo. This behavioral dimorphism is accompanied by various sex-specific characteristics throughout the vocal pathways, including functionally distinct laryngeal muscles and motoneurons in the sexes. In this study, we first determined whether and how testosterone (T) modifies the vocalizations of adult females and then examined changes underlying the behavioral modification at the laryngeal muscle and motoneuron levels. Our results show that, in response to T, the vocalizations of females were transformed within 13 wk. Vocal transformation was preceded by complete masculinization of muscle contractile properties and motoneuron soma size by the fourth week of T treatment, which suggests that the vocal pathways' peripheral components masculinize earlier than the behavior. Therefore the rate of transformation of vocal behavior must reflect a functional transformation of neurons in the central vocal pathways, which leads to the generation of male-like motor rhythms.
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Nishikawa, K. C., W. M. Kier, and K. K. Smith. "Morphology and mechanics of tongue movement in the African pig-nosed frog Hemisus marmoratum: a muscular hydrostatic model." Journal of Experimental Biology 202, no. 7 (April 1, 1999): 771–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.202.7.771.
Full textAbstract:
The goal of this study was to investigate morphological adaptations associated with hydrostatic elongation of the tongue during feeding in the African pig-nosed frog Hemisus marmoratum. Whereas previous studies had suggested that the tongue of H. marmoratum elongates hydraulically, the anatomical observations reported here favour a muscular hydrostatic mechanism of tongue elongation. H. marmoratum possesses a previously undescribed compartment of the m. genioglossus (m. genioglossus dorsoventralis), which is intrinsic to the tongue and whose muscle fibres are oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the tongue. On the basis of the arrangement and orientation of muscle fibres in the m. genioglossus and m. hyoglossus, we propose a muscular hydrostatic model of tongue movement in which contraction of the m. genioglossus dorsoventralis, together with unfolding of the intrinsic musculature of the tongue, results in a doubling in tongue length. Electron micrographs of sarcomeres from resting and elongated tongues show that no special adaptations of the sarcomeres are necessary to accommodate the observed doubling in tongue length during feeding. Rather, the sarcomeres of the m. genioglossus longitudinalis are strikingly similar to those of anuran limb muscles. The ability to elongate the tongue hydrostatically, conferred by the presence of the m. genioglossus dorsoventralis, is associated with the appearance of several novel aspects of feeding behaviour in H. marmoratum. These include the ability to protract the tongue slowly, thereby increasing capture success, and the ability to aim the tongue in azimuth and elevation relative to the head. Compared with other frogs, the muscular hydrostatic system of H. marmoratum allows more precise, localized and diverse tongue movements. This may explain why the m. genioglossus of H. marmoratum is composed of a larger number of motor units than that of other frogs.
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Richards, Christopher T., and Christofer J. Clemente. "Built for rowing: frog muscle is tuned to limb morphology to power swimming." Journal of The Royal Society Interface 10, no. 84 (July 6, 2013): 20130236. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0236.
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Rowing is demanding, in part, because drag on the oars increases as the square of their speed. Hence, as muscles shorten faster, their force capacity falls, whereas drag rises. How do frogs resolve this dilemma to swim rapidly? We predicted that shortening velocity cannot exceed a terminal velocity where muscle and fluid torques balance. This terminal velocity, which is below V max , depends on gear ratio (GR = outlever/inlever) and webbed foot area. Perhaps such properties of swimmers are ‘tuned’, enabling shortening speeds of approximately 0.3 V max for maximal power. Predictions were tested using a ‘musculo-robotic’ Xenopus laevis foot driven either by a living in vitro or computational in silico plantaris longus muscle. Experiments verified predictions. Our principle finding is that GR ranges from 11.5 to 20 near the predicted optimum for rowing (GR ≈ 11). However, gearing influences muscle power more strongly than foot area. No single morphology is optimal for producing muscle power. Rather, the ‘optimal’ GR decreases with foot size, implying that rowing ability need not compromise jumping (and vice versa ). Thus, despite our neglect of additional forces (e.g. added mass), our model predicts pairings of physiological and morphological properties to confer effective rowing. Beyond frogs, the model may apply across a range of size and complexity from aquatic insects to human-powered rowing.
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Burton, TC. "Adaptation and Evolution in the Hand Muscles of Australo-Papuan Hylid Frogs (Anura: Hylidae: Pelodryadinae)." Australian Journal of Zoology 44, no. 6 (1996): 611. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9960611.
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Members of the Pelodryadinae possess a hitherto undescribed set of distal extensor muscles to the ultimate phalanges; this set is found also in the hyline frogs that formed an outgroup for this study, and also in scansorial but not terrestrial microhylids. The M. palmaris longus of Cyclorana consists of two slips, whereas in most other pelodryadines the division is three-fold. The problematic species Litoria alboguttata and L. dahlii exhibit the Cyclorana condition. The hand musculature of Litoria infrafrenata is typical of its genus, and this study gives no support to the hypothesis that this species has evolved independently of the other pelodryadines; however, there is support for the hypothesis that montane New Guinean Litoria are closely related to some members of the freycineti assemblage of mostly terrestrial frogs. The hand musculature of Nyctimystes possesses no features to distinguish it from that of a generalised Litoria species, and sheds no light on the origins of Nyctimystes.
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Engelkes, Karolin, Supak Panpeng, and Alexander Haas. "Ontogenetic development of the shoulder joint muscles in frogs (Amphibia: Anura) assessed by digital dissection with implications for interspecific muscle homologies and nomenclature." Zoomorphology 140, no. 1 (February 16, 2021): 119–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00435-020-00510-4.
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AbstractPrevious myological studies show inconsistencies with regard to the identification and naming of the shoulder joint muscles in frogs and toads (Amphibia: Anura). Those inconsistencies were revealed and resolved by assessing the ontogenetic development, innervation, and adult morphology of selected anuran species representing ancient lineages and two major neobatrachian groups. To do so, digital dissections of volumes acquired by histological serial sectioning, episcopic microtomy, and contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography scanning were performed and three-dimensional reconstructions were derived. Muscle units crossing the shoulder joint were defined, their ontogenetic development was described, their homology across species was established, and a consistent nomenclature was suggested. The mm. anconaeus, dorsalis scapulae, latissimus dorsi, and the group of scapulohumeralis muscles were ontogenetically derived from the dorsal pre-muscle mass present in all tetrapods. The ventral pre-muscle mass gave rise to the mm. cleidohumeralis, episternohumeralis, supracoracoideus, coracoradialis, subcoracoscapularis, coracobrachialis, and pectoralis. The results indicate that the mm. anconaeus, dorsalis scapulae, latissimus dorsi, coracoradialis, and the portionis sternalis and abdominalis of the m. pectoralis have consistently been recognized and denoted in previous studies, whereas the names for the muscle units commonly denoted as m. coraco-brachialis longus and as parts of the m. deltoideus are misleading with regard to the ontogenetic origin of these muscles. The mm. scapulohumeralis profundus anterior and posterior, although present, have been overlooked in some studies. The mm. cleidohumeralis, supracoracoideus, and coracobrachialis are present with two parts or portions in some species, these portions have previously not always been recognized and assigned correctly.
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Bozler, E. "Mechanics of tonus fibers of frog muscle." American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology 253, no. 4 (October 1, 1987): C599—C606. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.1987.253.4.c599.
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Contractions with two phases of relaxation are induced by brief strong stimulation in some frog muscles. The first phase with rapid relaxation is produced by the twitch fibers; the second phase, which is very slow and is only present after strong stimulation, represents the relaxation of the tonus fibers. At moderate loads, half time of isotonic relaxation of these fibers is as long as 30 min at 2 degrees C, but the rate varies with the load and depends on the condition of the frogs. With regard to the rate of relaxation, the tonus fibers resemble molluscan catch muscles. In tonus fibers, rapid isotonic and isometric relaxation can be induced by a small extension; shortening opposes this effect. These responses are like the length responses previously found in various types of striated muscle. They go in the same direction as the well-known metabolic effects of length changes (Fenn effect). After a large extension by an increase in load there is no active shortening when the load is returned to the previous value. This and other observations show that the slowness of relaxation is not due to sustained activity, but is determined by the strength of the contractile bonds formed during contraction. Because activity during relaxation is very low, it is unlikely that length responses are caused by a modification of the cross-bridge cycle. It is suggested that length changes act through a mechanism that is separate from that initiating contraction, but alters the speed of relaxation by making the cross bridges weaker or stronger.
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Simons, R. S., W. O. Bennett, and E. L. Brainerd. "Mechanics of lung ventilation in a post-metamorphic salamander, Ambystoma Tigrinum." Journal of Experimental Biology 203, no. 6 (March 15, 2000): 1081–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.203.6.1081.
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The mechanics of lung ventilation in frogs and aquatic salamanders has been well characterized, whereas lung ventilation in terrestrial-phase (post-metamorphic) salamanders has received little attention. We used electromyography (EMG), X-ray videography, standard videography and buccal and body cavity pressure measurements to characterize the ventilation mechanics of adult (post-metamorphic) tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum). Three results emerged: (i) under terrestrial conditions or when floating at the surface of the water, adult A. tigrinum breathed through their nares using a two-stroke buccal pump; (ii) in addition to this narial two-stroke pump, adult tiger salamanders also gulped air in through their mouths using a modified two-stroke buccal pump when in an aquatic environment; and (iii) exhalation in adult tiger salamanders is active during aquatic gulping breaths, whereas exhalation appears to be passive during terrestrial breathing at rest. Active exhalation in aquatic breaths is indicated by an increase in body cavity pressure during exhalation and associated EMG activity in the lateral hypaxial musculature, particularly the M. transversus abdominis. In terrestrial breathing, no EMG activity in the lateral hypaxial muscles is generally present, and body cavity pressure decreases during exhalation. In aquatic breaths, tidal volume is larger than in terrestrial breaths, and breathing frequency is much lower (approximately 1 breath 10 min(−)(1)versus 4–6 breaths min(−)(1)). The use of hypaxial muscles to power active exhalation in the aquatic environment may result from the need for more complete exhalation and larger tidal volumes when breathing infrequently. This hypothesis is supported by previous findings that terrestrial frogs ventilate their lungs with small tidal volumes and exhale passively, whereas aquatic frogs and salamanders use large tidal volumes and and exhale actively.
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Amorim, Maria Clara P., Marti L. McCracken, and Michael L. Fine. "Metabolic costs of sound production in the oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau." Canadian Journal of Zoology 80, no. 5 (May 1, 2002): 830–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z02-054.
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The energetics of mate calling has been studied in insects, frogs, birds, and mammals, but not in fishes. The oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau, produces a boatwhistle advertisement call using one of the fastest muscles known in vertebrates. Because toadfish will not boatwhistle in a respirometer, we measured oxygen consumption after eliciting sound production by electrically stimulating the sonic swim bladder muscle nerve. Induced sounds were similar to a male calling at a rapid rate. Stimulation of the sonic nerve increased the respiration rate by 4060% in males, but they became agitated. Repeating the experiment decreased agitation, and in most fish respiration rates approximated control levels by the second or third replication. Elicited sounds and therefore sonic-muscle performance were similar in all repetitions, hence it appears that the increased oxygen consumption in the first trial was caused by the fish's agitation. Controls indicated that electrode implantation and electrical stimulation of the body cavity did not affect the respiration rate. We suggest that allocation of a small amount of the total energy budget to sound production is reasonable in toadfish, and probably most other fish species, because of the small amount of time that the sonic muscles actually contract and their small size (about 1% of body mass).
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Supekar, S. C., and N. P. Gramapurohit. "Does temporal variation in predation risk affect antipredator responses of larval Indian Skipper Frogs (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis)?" Canadian Journal of Zoology 98, no. 3 (March 2020): 202–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2019-0118.
Full textAbstract:
Predation risk varies on a moment-to-moment basis, through day and night, lunar and seasonal cycles, and over evolutionary time. Hence, it is adaptive for prey animals to exhibit environment-specific behaviour, morphology, and (or) life-history traits. Herein, the effects of temporally varying predation risk on growth, behaviour, morphology, and life-history traits of larval Indian Skipper Frogs (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider, 1799)) were studied by exposing them to no risk, continuous, predictable, and unpredictable risks at different time points. Our results show that larval E. cyanophlyctis could learn the temporal pattern of risk leading to weaker behavioural responses under predictable risk and stronger responses to unpredictable risk. Temporally varying predation risk had a significant impact on tadpole morphology. Tadpoles facing continuous risk had narrow tail muscles. Tadpoles facing predictable risk during the day were heavy with wide and deep tail muscles, whereas those facing predictable risk at night had long tails. Tadpoles facing unpredictable risk were heavy with narrow tail muscles. Metamorphic traits of E. cyanophlyctis were also affected by the temporal variation in predation risk. Tadpoles facing predictable risk during the day emerged at the largest size. However, tadpoles facing predictable risk at night and unpredictable risk metamorphosed earlier, whereas those facing continuous risk metamorphosed later.
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Rohregger, M., and N. Dieringer. "Principles of Linear and Angular Vestibuloocular Reflex Organization in the Frog." Journal of Neurophysiology 87, no. 1 (January 1, 2002): 385–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/jn.00404.2001.
Full textAbstract:
We compared the spatial organization patterns of linear and angular vestibuloocular reflexes in frogs by recording the multiunit spike activity from cranial nerve branches innervating the lateral rectus, the inferior rectus, or the inferior obliquus eye muscles. Responses were evoked by linear horizontal and/or vertical accelerations on a sled or by angular accelerations about an earth-vertical axis on a turntable. Before each sinusoidal oscillation test in darkness, the static head position was systematically altered to determine those directions of horizontal linear acceleration and those planes of angular head oscillation that were associated with minimal response amplitudes. Inhibitory response components during angular accelerations were clearly present, whereas inhibitory response components during linear accelerations were absent. Likewise was no contribution from the vertical otolith organs (i.e., lagena and saccule) observed during vertical linear acceleration. Horizontal linear acceleration evoked responses that originated from eye muscle–specific sectors on the contralateral utricular macula. The sectors of the inferior obliquus and lateral rectus muscles on the utricle had an opening angle of 45 and 60°, respectively and overlapped to a large extent in the laterorostral part of the utricle. Both sectors were coplanar with the horizontal semicircular canals. The sector of the inferior rectus muscle was narrow (opening 5°), laterocaudally oriented, and slightly pitched up by 6°. Angular acceleration evoked maximal responses in the inferior obliquus muscle nerve that originated from the ipsilateral horizontal and the contralateral anterior vertical canals in a ratio of 50:50. Lateral rectus excitation originated from the contralateral horizontal and anterior vertical semicircular canals in a ratio of 80:20. The excitatory responses of the inferior rectus muscle nerve originated exclusively from the contralateral posterior vertical canal. Measured data and known semicircular canal plane vectors were used to calculate the spatial orientation of maximum sensitivity vectors for the investigated eye muscle nerves in semicircular canal coordinates. Comparison of the directions of maximal sensitivity vectors of responses evoked by linear or angular accelerations in a given eye muscle nerve showed that the two vector directions were oriented about orthogonally with respect to each other. With this arrangement the linear and the angular vestibuloocular reflex can support each other dynamically whenever they are co-activated without a change in the spatial response characteristics. The mutual adaptation of angular and linear vestibuloocular reflexes as well as the differences in their organization described here for frogs may represent a basic feature common for vertebrates in general.