Vertebral Column Characteristics of Batrachuperus pinchonii,and Discussion on the Division of the Vertebral Column in Urodela

To discuss the division of the vertebral column in Urodela,the vertebral column characteristics of Batrachuperus pinchonii(Hynobiidae) was studied by a clearing and double staining method as a case in the present paper,and the morphological characteristics of each section of the vertebral column were described.The results showed that the vertebral column of B.pinchonii could be divided into five sections based on the morphological characteristics of vertebra.At the same time,combined with the vertebral column characteristics of 94 specimens from 20 species of other hynobiid salamanders and 27 specimens from 6 species of salamandrids and literature,the division of vertebral column in Urodela was discussed.The results show that it is reasonable to divide the vertebral column of Urodela into five sections,including cervical vertebra,truck vertebra,sacral vertebra,caudosacral vertebra and caudal vertebra.