Ciliary Feeding Mechanisms in Anuran Larvæ

Abstract

THE feeding mechanism and mode of feeding of tadpoles of Xenopus lævis have been described, notably by Bles¹ and by Weisz². These workers agree in postulating a ciliary mechanism; but their accounts of the nature and functioning of this mechanism differ widely. Bles recognized a ciliated pharyngeal groove lying along the outer margin of the branchial chamber on each side as the main food-collecting channel. Weisz, on the other hand, holds that food particles never reach the branchial chambers, and makes no mention of the ciliated paths which lie at their outer margins and converge on the œsophagus. He states that the middle region of the pharyngeal floor (called by him the “pharyngobranchial tract” and said to be ciliated) is responsible for creating ciliary currents by which food particles pass backwards into the alimentary canal.