Histological Adaptations of Two Bufotes Species to High Elevation and Salty Environment with Discussion on Anuran Adaptation to Different Habitats  

作　　者：Wenyi ZHANG Xiuping WANG Peng YAN Jianping JIANG Jiongyu LIU Meihua ZHANG Bingjun DONG 

机构地区：[1]Chengdu Institute of Biology,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Chengdu 610213,Sichuan,China [2]College of Life Sciences,Shenyang Normal University,Shenyang 110034,Liaoning,China

出　　处：《Asian Herpetological Research》2025年第1期82-94,共13页亚洲两栖爬行动物研究(英文版)

基　　金：supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32200378);the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program (2022xjkk0205-1);the Survey of Wildlife Resources in Key Areas of Xizang (ZL202203601);China Biodiversity Observation Networks (Sino BON-Amphibian & Reptile)。

摘　　要：Bufotes taxkorensis and B. zamdaensis are toads endemic to China. Both species inhabit highelevation and saline environments, and so provide a unique opportunity to investigate the adaptive responses of amphibians to extreme habitats. In the present study, we first observed and measured the histological structures of their skin and kidney in B.taxkorensis and B. zamdaensis. We then compared these results with similar findings for the low-elevation seawater dweller Fejervarya cancrivora and, finally,contrasted them with available data on species living in diverse habitats. Our results revealed the following adaptations:(1) In the Bufotes species, the epidermis and dermis both contain capillary vessels, facilitating blood-gas exchange and promoting adaptation to high-elevation hypoxia. The thick pigment layers present in the ventral skin of B. taxkorensis also help in adaptation to lower temperatures. In addition, the relative epidermis thickness of the dorsal and ventral skin is significantly greater in Bufotes species than in F.cancrivora, indicating adaptation to a terrestrial habitat.Comparing the terrestrial and semiaquatic species, we find that total dorsal and ventral thicknesses are both significantly greater in terrestrial than in semiaquatic species, helping to reduce water evaporation and damage from crawling, and thus promoting adaptation to terrestrial life.(2) The relative kidney filtration area of the Bufotes species is not significantly different from that of F. cancrivora, but accounts for only half that of terrestrial Bufo species. This lower total relative filtration area prevents excessive urea from being filtered out, avoiding excessive loss of body water and promoting adaptation to saline conditions. At the same time, the relative diameter of the proximal segment of Bufotes species is found to be similar to that of the semiaquatic F. cancrivora,facilitating the resorption of water and ions to increase plasma osmolality and promoting adaptation to saline environments. The findings of the presen

关 键 词：AMPHIBIANS extreme environments HISTOLOGY kidney skin 

分 类 号：R69[医药卫生—泌尿科学]