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Nuptial pad

Secondary sex characteristic on some mature male frogs and salamanders From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nuptial pad
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A nuptial pad (also known as thumb pad, or nuptial excrescence[1]) is a secondary sex characteristic present on some mature male frogs and salamanders.[2][3][4][5] Triggered by androgen hormones, this breeding gland (a type of mucous gland) appears as a spiked epithelial swelling on the forearm and prepollex that aids with grip, which is used primarily by males to grasp (or clasp) females during amplexus.[6] They can also be used in male–male combat in some species.[6]

Thumb
Nuptial pad (arrow) on thumb of Pelophylax esculentus
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Historical background

Austrian biologist Paul Kammerer experimented on midwife toads' nuptial pads.[7] He used the offspring's apparent enlargening from generation-to-generation as evidence of Lamarckian evolution.[8]

Examples

Many amphibian species manifest nuptial pads for use in amplexus, an example being the rough-skinned newt, Taricha granulosa.[9]

See also

References

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