The effect of chemically produced shifts in developmental timing on postmetamorphic morphology in Bombina orientalis

The effect of altering developmental timing on postmetamorphic morphology was examined in the frog Bombina orientalis. The length of the larval period was manipulated with the use of a thyroid inhibitor. Results show that differences in time to metamorphosis are correlated with shifts in postmetamorphic relative hindlimb length. Furthermore, these differences in relative hindlimb length are similar to those found among closely related species. Variation in the timing of development may be responsible for a significant portion of the postmetamorphic shape variation found among frogs.