Optical and tomographic imaging of a middle ear malformation in the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

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TitleOptical and tomographic imaging of a middle ear malformation in the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsHorowitz, S. S., A. M. Simmons, and D. R. Ketten
JournalJournal of the Acoustical Society of America
Volume118
Issue2
Pagination1166-1171
Date Published08/2005
Keywordsbullfrog, malformation, middle ear, rana catesbeiana, tomographic imaging
AbstractUsing a combination of in vivo computerized tomography and histological staining, a middle ear anomaly in two wild-caught American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) is characterized. In these animals, the tympanic membrane, extra stapes, and pars media (shaft) of the stapes are absent on one side of the head, with the other side exhibiting normal morphology. The pars interna (footplate) of the stapes and the operculum are present in their normal positions at the entrance of the otic capsule on both the affected and unaffected sides. The pattern of deformity suggests a partial failure of development of tympanic pathway tissues, but with a preservation of the opercularis pathway. While a definitive proximate cause of the condition could not be determined, the anomalies show similarities to developmental defects in mammalian middle ear formation.