Frog Morphology and Anatomy are carnivorous tailless amphibians found widely in India. A variety of frogs can be found around the world; Among them, the Indian frogs are called Rana tigrina. They are vertebrates, which fall under the class Amphibia (phylum Chordata). Frogs are cold-blooded animals (poikilotherms) whose body temperature varies according to their environment, therefore, they need to protect themselves from extreme heat and cold to maintain optimal body temperature. Thus, they follow aestivation and hibernation during the summer and winter seasons respectively. Another characteristic of frogs is that they are camouflaged i.e. they can change the color of their skin according to their surroundings.
Morphology of Frogs
Although larvae have a tail, adult frogs are tailless. An adult frog has a thick body divided into a head and torso. Other external features are a pair of nostrils, bulging eyes, a membranous tympanum (ear), slippery/warty moist skin, and webbed organs.
The skin of frogs is usually slippery, moist, and highly permeable through which they absorb water and respire. Thus, moist skin serves as a respiratory organ in frogs. Additionally, the skin is glandular, producing mucus and toxins to alert them to their predators. The color of the skin can vary from brown and green to bright red depending on the secretion.
Frog Morphology and Anatomy move with the help of their forelimbs and hindlimbs. Frogs are monogamous, that is, they show sexual dimorphism. A male frog is distinguished from a female frog by the presence of vocal folds and copulatory pads on the forelimbs. Female frogs lack these physical characteristics.
Below Is an Easy and Well-Labeled Picture of a Frog (Rana Tigrina) for Your Better Understanding.
Body Structure
The body plan of Frog Morphology and Anatomy consists of well-developed structures that help in their physical activities. The body cavity accommodates all the organ systems such as digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, nervous, and reproductive systems, whose functions are almost similar to those of human body systems.
Digestive System
The alimentary canal together with the accessory organs forms the digestive system of the frog. Since frogs are carnivorous, their intestines are small. The alimentary canal starts from the mouth (oral or oral cavity), passes through the pharynx, esophagus or food pipe, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and finally ends at the cloaca. Food particles are slowly digested by passing through different parts of the alimentary canal.
Respiratory System
Amphibians have two methods of respiration – cutaneous respiration and pulmonary respiration. In aquatic ecosystems, the skin is the respiratory organ where diffusion of dissolved oxygen occurs. This is called cutaneous respiration. During pulmonary respiration, air entering from the nostrils enters the lungs through the oral cavity. But during summer and winter sleep, they use only the skin for respiration.
Communication Systems
Frog Morphology and Anatomy have a well-developed muscular heart with three chambers, two atria, and one ventricle. Blood and lymph help transport food, air, and other substances throughout the body through the network of blood vessels. Blood is composed of plasma and blood cells (RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.
Excretory System
The frog is a ureotelic animal whose major excretory product is urea. They have a separate excretory system composed of a pair of kidneys, ureters, cloaca, and bladder. The kidneys contain structural units called nephrons that filter blood and remove waste.
Coordinate System
The nervous system and endocrine system together perform the functions of control and coordination in Frog Morphology and Anatomy. The endocrine system is composed of endocrine glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, pineal body, pancreas islets, adrenals, and gonads. The secretions of these glands, called hormones, are responsible for metamorphosis and other regulatory functions.
The nervous system is divided into the CNS and PNS. The brain is distinguished as the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain which control different parts of the body. The brain is encased in the skull and the vertebral column protects the spinal cord.
Reproductive System
Both male and female frogs have their reproductive systems where gametes are produced for reproduction. Male frogs have testicles that produce sperm and expel it through the cloaca. In the female frog, a pair of ovaries produce the ovum and transport it to the oviduct which opens into the cloaca. The cloaca is a common passageway for excretion and reproduction. Lays 2500 to 3000 eggs at a time which are fertilized externally.
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