The ilio sacral articulation in frogs form and function

Emerson S. B.

The amphibian order Anura (frogs) is a major group whose origin appears related to the transformation of its locomotor system for saltation. The ilio-sacral articulation, a uniquely specialized part of the frog locomotor morphology, remains largely unstudied. Preliminary work reveals significant differences in the morphology of the ilio-sacral articulation among extant frogs and suggests that differences in types of articulation are correlated with different directional movements at the joint, with specific locomotor modes and with phylogenetic groupings.