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