Back to the water: Tongue morphology associated to contrasting lifestyles in two Andean frogs of the genus Telmatobius

The evolution of the tongue in tetrapods is associated with feeding in the terrestrial environment. This study analyzes the tongue morphology of two closely related frog species, Telmatobius oxycephalus and T. rubigo, which exhibit contrasting feeding mechanisms. Telmatobius oxycephalus, a semi-aquatic species, relies on its tongue to capture terrestrial prey whereas T. rubigo, a secondarily aquatic species, uses suction feeding not involving the tongue. Through anatomical, histological and scanning electron microscopy analyses, we revealed remarkable differences in tongue morphology between these species. Telmatobius oxycephalus exhibits a well-developed tongue whose dorsal epithelium has numerous and slender filiform papillae. The epithelial cells of the papillae are protruded and have a complex array of microridges. In contrast, T. rubigo possesses a reduced tongue with flat and less numerous filiform papillae. The epithelial cells are completely flat and lack microridges. These findings highlight the remarkable adaptability of lingual morphology in Telmatobius to respond to the contrasting ecological niches and prey capture mechanisms. This study sheds light on the relationship between tongue shape and the different functional demands, contributing to our understanding of the evolution of prey capture mechanisms in amphibians. •The tongues of Telmatobius rubigo and T. oxycephalus exhibit remarkable differences, despite their close phylogenetic relationship.•The variation is evident at various hierarchical levels, encompassing gross anatomy, tissues, and cells.•The tongue morphology in Telmatobius is associated with contrasting prey capture strategies, implying terrestrial vs. aquatic lifestyles.•The frogs of the genus Telmatobius represent an ideal group for the study of transitions between land and water habitats.