Anuran larvae are characterized by an extensive array of specialized oral structures that allow them to both graze on substrates and suspension feed with great efficiency. Diversity in these feeding structures accounts for significant diversity of anurans. Herein we describe an astonishing novel buccopharyngeal morphology in six larvae of ‘sand-eating’ tadpoles of the Mantellidae genus Mantidactylus. The buccopharyngeal cavity of these tadpoles is characterized by the presence of ruffled ridges not seen previously in any other anuran larva. Extensive review of the literature and of new empirical data demonstrates the uniqueness of this morphology. We present both CT scans and ergonomic arguments in support of the hypothesis that the ruffled ridges are employed as scrubbing pads, allowing these tadpoles to remove food particles from sand grains. In addition, we explore how the ridges may have developed and evolved.

中文翻译：

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怪奇物语：关于“吃沙”马达加斯加蝌蚪（Anura： Mantellidae： Mantidactylus）的新型颊咽解剖学和功能形态学


Anuran 幼虫的特点是具有广泛的专业口腔结构，使它们能够非常高效地在基质和悬浮饲料上啃食。这些摄食结构的多样性是 anurans 显着多样性的原因。在这里，我们描述了 Mantellidae 属 Mantidactylus 的六只“吃沙”蝌蚪幼虫的惊人新颖的颊咽形态。这些蝌蚪的颊咽腔的特点是存在以前在任何其他无蝌幼虫中未见过的褶皱脊。对文献和新实证数据的广泛回顾证明了这种形态学的独特性。我们提出了 CT 扫描和人体工程学论点，以支持褶皱脊被用作擦洗垫的假设，使这些蝌蚪能够从沙粒中去除食物颗粒。此外，我们还探讨了山脊是如何发展和演变的。