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Hemisotidae

(Family)

Overview

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The shovelnose frogs are nine species of frog in the genus, Hemisus, the only genus in the Family Hemisotidae. They are found in tropical and subtropical sub-Saharan Africa. The shovelnose frogs are moderate sized frogs, reaching a length of 8 centimetres (3.1 in). They are round-bodied, with short legs. Their head is small and narrow, with a hard, upturned nose.1]

The shovelnose frogs are burrowing frogs, living most of their life underground. The female will dig underground while it is in amplexus, and lay the eggs in an underground cavity. The male will leave through the tunnel, and the female will remain with the eggs. Once sufficient rain has fallen, the female will burrow, with her nose, towards a water source where the tadpoles will remain until metamorphosis.[1] The tadpoles may remain out of water for up to a few days.

Unlike most burrowing frogs, the shovelnose frogs burrow head first, as opposed to rear first. Some species are kept as pets.

Species

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Family HEMISOTIDAE

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The shovelnose frogs are burrowing frogs, living most of their life underground. The female will dig underground while it is in amplexus, and lay the eggs in an underground cavity. The male will leave through the tunnel, and the female will remain with the eggs. Once sufficient rain has fallen, the female will burrow, with her nose, towards a water source where the tadpoles will remain until metamorphosis.[1] The tadpoles may remain out of water for up to a few days.

Unlike most burrowing frogs, the shovelnose frogs burrow head first, as opposed to rear first. Some species are kept as pets.

Species

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Family HEMISOTIDAE

References

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  1. ^ a b Zweifel, Robert G. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.. ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 101?102. ISBN 0-12-178560-2. 

Taxonomy

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The Family Hemisotidae is a member of the Superfamily Ranoidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Hemisotidae:

The Family Hemisotidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Hemisus

The shovelnose frogs are nine species of frog in the genus, Hemisus, the only genus in the Family Hemisotidae. They are found in tropical and subtropical sub-Saharan Africa. The shovelnose frogs are moderate sized frogs, reaching a length of 8 centimetres (3.1 in). They are round-bodied, with short legs. Their head is small and narrow, with a hard, upturned nose. [more]

At least 19 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Hemisus.

More info about the Genus Hemisus may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ a b Zweifel, Robert G. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.. ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 101?102. ISBN 0-12-178560-2. 

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:33:23