Abstract
THE feeding mechanism and mode of feeding of tadpoles of Xenopus lævis have been described, notably by Bles1 and by Weisz2. These workers agree in postulating a ciliary mechanism; but their accounts of the nature and functioning of this mechanism differ widely. Bles recognized a ciliated pharyngeal groove lying along the outer margin of the branchial chamber on each side as the main food-collecting channel. Weisz, on the other hand, holds that food particles never reach the branchial chambers, and makes no mention of the ciliated paths which lie at their outer margins and converge on the œsophagus. He states that the middle region of the pharyngeal floor (called by him the “pharyngobranchial tract” and said to be ciliated) is responsible for creating ciliary currents by which food particles pass backwards into the alimentary canal.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Bles, E. J., Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., 41, Pt. 3 (1905).
Weisz, Paul B., J. Morph., 77, No. 2 (1945).
Jorgensen, C. B., Nature, 163, 4154 (1949).
Barrington, E. J. W., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 116, Pt. 1 (1946).
Kratochwill, K., Z. f. wiss. Zool., 144.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DODD, J. Ciliary Feeding Mechanisms in Anuran Larvæ. Nature 165, 283 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1038/165283a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/165283a0
This article is cited by
-
Extreme tadpoles II: the highly derived larval anatomy of Occidozyga baluensis (Boulenger, 1896), an obligate carnivorous tadpole
Zoomorphology (2014)
-
Assay of Thyroid-stimulating Hormone, Thyroid and Thyroid-like Substances on Xenopus Tadpoles
Nature (1953)
-
Feeding Mechanisms in Anuran Tadpoles
Nature (1950)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.