科學圖說

面天樹蛙蝌蚪 唇齒的變化
(Changes in Labial Teeth of Temple Tree Frog Tadpole)

葷食的青蛙與素食的蝌蚪在食性上有差別，「齒」的差異也很大。蝌蚪有超多的唇齒。本照片記錄臺灣特有種面天樹蛙，前肢伸出前第2 4天到第3 3天的唇齒列變化。牠的唇齒列不僅和進食有關，在第33天唇齒列掉光後的24小時內，前肢就會伸出來準備上岸。

Carnivorous frogs and herbivorous tadpoles have different feeding habits and, thus, different “teeth”. Tadpoles have many labial teeth. These images record changes in the labial teeth of the temple tree frog (Kurixalus idiootocus), which is endemic to Taiwan, before extension of the forelimbs, from day 24 to 33. The labial teeth are not only related to feeding. On day 33, all the labial teeth are gone. Within 24 hours, the forelimbs are extended in preparation for moving onto land.