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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Denver Papillae Protocol for Objective Analysis of Fungiform Papillae
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Frog tongue surface microstructures: functional and evolutionary patterns.

Thomas Kleinteich1, Stanislav N Gorb1

  • 1Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoology Department, Kiel University, 24118 Kiel, Germany.

Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology
|August 23, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Frog tongues have diverse surface structures, including varied papillae, which likely influence their prey-capturing adhesion. This study explores these variations across eight frog families.

Keywords:
adhesionamphibiansbiological materialsfeedinghigh-resolution micro-CT

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Area of Science:

  • Comparative anatomy and functional morphology of vertebrate feeding apparatus.
  • Evolutionary adaptations in amphibian predatory behaviors.

Background:

  • Frogs (Lissamphibia: Anura) rely on rapid tongue projection and adhesion for prey capture.
  • Previous research on frog tongue morphology and adhesive performance is limited, primarily focusing on Ranidae and Bufonidae families.
  • The role of tongue surface structure and its interaction with mucus in adhesive force generation is poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and characterize the surface structure of frog tongues across a diverse range of taxa.
  • To identify variations in papillae morphology and fine structures among different frog species.
  • To explore potential correlations between tongue surface variations and adhesive performance or prey specialization.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopic examination of tongue surfaces from nine frog species representing eight distinct taxa (Alytidae, Bombinatoridae, Megophryidae, Hylidae, Ceratophryidae, Ranidae, Bufonidae, and Dendrobatidae).
  • Analysis of papillae types (fungiform and filiform), their size, shape, and fine surface structures.
  • Assessment of three-dimensional subsurface tissue organization.

Main Results:

  • All examined frog species possess fungiform and filiform papillae on their tongues.
  • Significant variation exists in papillae size, shape, and fine surface structures across species.
  • Specific fine structures on filiform papillae include hair-like protrusions (Megophryidae, Ranidae), microridges (Bufonidae, Dendrobatidae), or irregular/absent structures in other taxa.

Conclusions:

  • Frog tongue surfaces exhibit considerable diversity in papillae morphology and fine structures.
  • These variations may be linked to differences in adhesive capabilities and prey capture strategies among frog taxa.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the functional implications of these morphological differences for prey adhesion.