THE STRUCTURE OF SPOTTED FROG (RANA LUTEIVENTRIS AND RANA PRETIOSA) EGGS: A PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Published accounts describe the eggs of spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris and Rana pretiosa) as having either 1 or 2 jelly envelopes surrounding the ovum. Eggs of R. luteiventris are typically reported to have a single jelly envelope, whereas those of R. pretiosa are reported to have 2 envelopes. We found, however, that both species' eggs actually have 3 jelly envelopes. In this paper we describe the eggs of both species, and identify the origin of the discrepancy in the scientific literature.