Amphibian teratology — possible adaptive and evolutionary interpretations

Abstract

The article deals with the phenomenon of amphibian morphological anomalies their theoretical and practical significance. Methodological principles in the data on the analysis of amphibian anomalies as a part of general morphological variability are discussed. The authors suppose that the modern point of view on the origins and formation of variability supposes the possibility of using the results of analysis into deviant forms as population and species characteristics for evolutionary interpretation and evaluating environmental quality. Refs 10. Figs 1. Tables 1.