Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/3780
Scientific namePipa pipa
CollectionHunterian
CategoryWet preparations
DescriptionA female Surinam toad showing brood cells at various stages of activity.
Many cells still contain the developing young, while others show the young in the process of escaping.
The fertilised eggs of this species are distributed by the male over the back of the female where they adhere. In the hours following mating the skin of the back begins to grow around the eggs until, but the tenth day, they are contained within a 'honeycomb' of brood cells. The young stay in these honeycomb-like chambers for the 12-20 weeks of their development and metamorphosis. After this time the young adults force their way out of the cells through the integument layer that has developed.
Production date 1760 - 1793
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Physical Location
Location
Not on public display: contact museum for access conditions
Physical Information
Physical descriptionWet preparation of bone and tissue mounted in a circular glass jar with a glass lid. Dimensions: 308mm h x 143mm d.
Materialglass (material)
Pipa
Dimensions
whole height: 308 mm
whole diameter: 143 mm
whole weight: 4400 g
whole diameter: 143 mm
whole weight: 4400 g
Bibliography
SourceDobson 1970-71
Transcript3780: A similar specimen, exhibiting the incubating cells at their period of functional activity; many of the young are here seen in the act of extricating themselves from the cells, their metamorphosis having been completed. The cells which still retain the larvae have their mouths covered over with a thin lid of some homogeneous material, whose origin is doubtful, but it is most probably the egg.
