Histological Study of Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus Tigerinus) Organs Exposed to Habitat Stress

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, commonly known as the Indian bullfrog, is a large amphibian belonging to the family Dicroglossidae . It is widely distributed in South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. This species usually inhabits freshwater environments . The frog possesses strong hind limbs that help in jumping and swimming, and it mainly feeds on insects and small invertebrates. Due to its sensitivity to environmental changes and pollutants, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus is often considered an important organism in ecological and environmental research. The present study was carried out on Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (bullfrog) to examine the histologicalstructure of internal organs such as lungs and kidneys exposed to habitat stress and to analyze the occurrence of melanophores in relation to environmental conditions. Amphibians are considered important ecological indicators due to their permeable skin and sensitivity to environmental changes. Amphibians play a important role in maintaining ecosystem balance and they highly response to ecological stress such as pollution (Buncharoen et.al.,2022). The lungs of H. tigerinus are thin-walled sac-like respiratory organs with internal folds that increase the surface area for efficient gaseous exchange and has multiple layers including mesothelium, connective tissue, smooth muscle, and respiratory epithelium (Hermida et.al.,1998). The kidney of the H. tigerinus consists of numerous nephrons which are the structural and functional units of the kidney. Each nephron is composed of a Bowman’s capsule, glomerulus, renal tubule and lumen . These structures work together to filter blood, remove waste products, and regulate water and salt balance in the body( Rant and Stewart,1943). The melanophores present in amphibian skin act as pigment cells and they are also seen in vital organs when they are exposed to the environmentalstress , ultraviolet radiation and temperature fluctuation (Pshennikova and Voronina , 2018) . Therefore, variations in melanophore distribution may serve as an indicator of environmental pollution.

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, lungs, kidney, melanophores, pollution indicator.

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