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Heleophrynidae

(Family)

Overview

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The Heleophrynidae, is a family of order Anura, commonly known as ghost frogs. The family consists of a two genera, Heleophryne and Hadromophryne, with seven species. Ghost frogs live in swift-moving mountain streams in South Africa. The common name of "ghost frogs" may have been coined because of their occurrence in .1]

Biology

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Ghost frogs have morphological adaptation suited to surviving on the rocks around these streams. They are medium sized frogs, reaching a length of 6 centimetres (2.4 in), with flat bodies, enabling them to climb inside rocky crevices. They have very large toe discs in comparison to their size, which helps to cling onto rocks. The mouthparts of the tadpoles are modified into a sucking disc, to allow them to cling to substrates, and remain still while they are feeding.[1]

Taxonomy

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The ghost frogs are closely related to the Sooglossidae family, which inhabit the Seychelles. They may also be closely related to the Australian Myobatrachids.

Family HELEOPHRYNIDAE

EDGE endangered species

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On January 21, 2008, Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) identified nature's most "weird, wonderful and endangered species", stating that "the EDGE amphibians are amongst the most remarkable and unusual species on the planet and yet an alarming 85% of the top 100 are receiving little or no conservation attention." Their top ten species included the ghost frogs.[2][3][4]

t frogs are closely related to the Sooglossidae family, which inhabit the Seychelles. They may also be closely related to the Australian Myobatrachids.

Family HELEOPHRYNIDAE

EDGE endangered species

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On January 21, 2008, Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) identified nature's most "weird, wonderful and endangered species", stating that "the EDGE amphibians are amongst the most remarkable and unusual species on the planet and yet an alarming 85% of the top 100 are receiving little or no conservation attention." Their top ten species included the ghost frogs.[2][3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Zweifel, Richard G. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.. ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 104?105. ISBN 0-12-178560-2. 
  2. ^ Reuters, Giant newt, tiny frog identified as most at risk
  3. ^ guardian.co.uk, Drive to save weird and endangered amphibians
  4. ^ guardian.co.uk/environment, Gallery: the world's strangest amphibians

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Taxonomy

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The Family Heleophrynidae is a member of the Superfamily Bufonoidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Heleophrynidae:

The Family Heleophrynidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Hadromophryne

Heleophryne

The Heleophrynidae, is a family of order Anura, commonly known as ghost frogs. The family consists of a two genera, Heleophryne and Hadromophryne, with seven species. Ghost frogs live in swift-moving mountain streams in South Africa. The common name of "ghost frogs" may have been coined because of their occurrence in . [more]

At least 8 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Heleophryne.

More info about the Genus Heleophryne may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ a b Zweifel, Richard G. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.. ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 104?105. ISBN 0-12-178560-2. 
  2. ^ Reuters, Giant newt, tiny frog identified as most at risk
  3. ^ guardian.co.uk, Drive to save weird and endangered amphibians
  4. ^ guardian.co.uk/environment, Gallery: the world's strangest amp hibians

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Reuters, Giant newt, tiny frog identified as most at risk
  2. ^ guardian.co.uk, Drive to save weird and endangered amphibians
  3. ^ guardian.co.uk/environment, images of the species
  4. ^ guardian.co.uk/environment, Gallery: the world's strangest amphibians

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:33:15