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Hylidae

(Family)

Overview

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Hylidae is a wide-ranging of frogs commonly referred to as "treefrogs and their allies". However, the hylids include a diversity of frog species, many of which do not live in trees, but are terrestrial or semi-aquatic.

Characteristics

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Most hylids show adaptations suitable for an arboreal lifestyle, including forward-facing eyes providing binocular vision, and adhesive pads on the fingers and toes. In the non-arboreal species, these features may be greatly reduced, or absent. The Cyclorana species are burrowing frogs, that spend much of their lives underground.[1]

Hylids mostly feed on insects and other invertebrates, but some larger species can feed on small vertebrates.

Hylids lay their eggs in a range of different locations,depending on species. Many use ponds, or puddles that collect in the holes of their trees, while others use bromeliads or other water-holding plants. Other species lay their eggs on the leaves of vegetation overhanging water, allowing the tadpoles to drop into the pond when they hatch.[1]

A few species use fast-flowing streams, attaching the eggs firmly to the substrate. The tadpoles of these species have suckers enabling them to hold onto rocks after they hatch. Another unusual adaptation is found in some South American hylids, which brood the eggs on the back of the female, with Hemiphractus species going as far as to enclose the eggs in a pouch until they hatch. The tadpoles of most hylid species have laterally placed eyes, and broad tails with a narrow, filamentous, tip.[1]

Type Species

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The European tree frog, Hyla arborea, is common in the middle and south of North America, and range into Asia and North Africa. The species become very noisy on the approach of rain and are sometimes kept in confinement as a kind of barometer.

In North America, there are many species of the Hylidae family, including Hyla versicolor (the grey tree frog) and Hyla cinerea (the American green tree frog). The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is also widespread in the eastern United States and is commonly heard on summer and spring evenings.

"Tree frog" is a popular name for several of the Hylidae. Hyla versicolor is the changeable tree frog, Trachycephalus lichenatus is the lichened tree frog, and Trachycephalus marmoratus the marbled tree frog. However, the name "treefrog" is not uniqueto this family, also being used for many species of the Rhacophoridae.

Taxonomy

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The Hylidae family is divided into the following subfamilies and genera:

Photos

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Taxonomy

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

The Family Hylidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Acris

Cricket frogs, genus , are small, North American frogs of the family Hylidae. They are more aquatic than other members of the family and are generally associated with permanent bodies of water with surface vegetation. The common and scientific names refer to their call, which resembles that of a cricket. [more]

Acrodytes

[more]

Agalychnis

Agalychnis is a genus of native to central and South America. [more]

Amphodus

[more]

Anotheca

The Rana De Corona (Anotheca spinosa) is a species of in the Hylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Anotheca. It is found in Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Aparasphenodon

Aparasphenodon is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found southeastern Brazil, the Orinoco Basin, Venezuela and Colombia. These are tree-dwelling species usually hiding in the cisterns of epiphytic bromeliads. The top of the head carries a bony plate which is fused with the skin. [more]

Aplastodiscus

Canebrake Treefrogs (Aplastodiscus) is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in southern Brazil and Argentina. This genus contained only two species until recently when a major revision of the Hylidae family moved an additional 12 species to this genus from the Hyla genus [1]. [more]

Argenteohyla

Argenteohyla siemersi is a species of in the Hylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Argenteohyla. It is found in Argentina, Uruguay, and possibly Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, swamps, and inland deltas. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Bokermannohyla

Bokermannohyla is a genus of in the Hylidae family. This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae family [1]. 23 species that were previously placed in the Hyla genus was moved to this genus. [more]

Bromeliohyla

Bromeliohyla is a genus of in the Hylidae family. This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae family [1]. The two species in this genus were previously placed in the Hyla genus. Found in tropical southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and northern Honduras. [more]

Calamita

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Calyptahyla

[more]

Charadrahyla

Charadrahyla is a genus of in the Hylidae family. This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae family [1]. The five species in this genus were previously placed in the Hyla genus. Found in tropical southern Mexico. [more]

Chiroleptes

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Cophomantis

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Corythomantis

Corythomantis greeningi is a species of in the Hylidae family, in the monotypic genus Corythomantis. [more]

Cruziohyla

Cruziohyla is a genus of in the Hylidae family. This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae family [1]. The two species in this genus were previously placed in the Agalychnis genus. The genus is also separated from the genus Agalychnis by several distinctive morphological characteristics, including having two colors in the eye, both grey and yellow, and by lacking the reticulated membrane that covers the eye in the genus Agalychnis. Further characteristics include an extended calcar and finges on the leg of Cruziohyla craspedopus. The range of Cruziohyla calcarifer extends through Central America into northern South America, whereas Cruziohyla craspedopus is found only in Amazonia. [more]

Cryptobatrachus

Cryptobatrachus is a genus of . [more]

Cyclorana

Cyclorana is a subgenus of the genus Litoria in the family Hylidae (tree frogs), whose members are found in most of Australia. It was formerly considered a separate genus, but reclassified following a major revision by Frost et al. in 2006. Although classified as tree frogs, this genus is entirely terrestrial and lacks toe pads which their arboreal relatives use for climbing. They are classified as tree frogs because of their similarity with the other members of the genus Litoria in terms of skeletal structure and physical resemblance of the tadpoles. [more]

Dendropsophus

Dendropsophus is a genus of in the Hylidae family. This genus was resurrected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae family. 88 species that were previously placed in the Hyla genus were moved to this genus. All species formerly in Hyla believed to have 30 chromosomes were moved here. [more]

Dendrosophus

[more]

Diaglena

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Duellmanohyla

Mountain Brook Frogs (Duellmanohyla) is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in Oaxaca, Mexico. These are mall stream breeding frogs with irises colored bright red, bronze or yellow. The dorsum is uniform pale green, olive, red-brown or lichenose, with green or olive spots on black background. Several species have pale upper labial and lateral stripes. Some fingers or toes have moderate webbing. [more]

Ecnomiohyla

Ecnomiohyla is a genus of in the Hylidae family. This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae family [1]. The ten species in this genus were previously placed in the Hyla genus. Found at wet forested highlands of southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia. [more]

Exerodonta

Exerodonta is a genus of in the Hylidae family. This genus was resurrected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae family [1]. 11 species that were previously placed in the Hyla genus were moved to this genus. Endemic to South-central Mexico. [more]

Flectonotus

Flectonotus is a genus of the family . [more]

Fritziana

[more]

Gastrotheca

Gastrotheca, also known as Marsupial Frogs, is a of frogs found in Central and South America. Marsupial Frogs are called that because of the dorsal brood pouch they possess. In some species the eggs are fertilized on the female's lower back, and are inserted in her pouch with the aid of the male's toes. The eggs remain in contact with the female's vascular tissue, which provides oxygen for them. In other species the eggs are laid in damp leaf litter and the male guards them. When they begin to hatch it is not wet enough for the tad poles to survive so as many as possible (not generally all) are taken by the father into 2 pouches on his underside. They remain "inside" his pouch for several weeks until he "gives birth" to live frogs . [more]

Hemiphractus

Hemiphractus is a genus of . [more]

Hyla

The Hyla is one of approximately 38 genera in the New World family of tree frogs (Hylidae). The word Hyla translates to "tree," and tree frogs are indeed arboreal. They have a very broad distribution; species can be found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and across the Americas. [more]

Hylomantis

Hylomantis is a genus of . Until recently only two species was placed in this genus, but following a major revision of the Hylidae family[1]six species previously placed in Phyllomedusa were moved here. [more]

Hylonomus

Hylonomus (hylo- "forest" + nomos "wanderer") was an early . It lived 315 Ma (million years ago) during the Carboniferous period. As of 2006 it is the earliest confirmed reptile (Westlothiana is older but may be an amphibian). It was 20 cm long (including the tail) and probably would have looked rather similar to modern lizards. It had small sharp teeth and probably ate small invertebrates, such as millipedes or early insects. It is a precursor of later reptiles. Fossils of the basal pelycosaur Archaeothyris and the basal diapsid Petrolacosaurus are also found in the same region of Nova Scotia. [more]

Hyloscirtus

Hyloscirtus is a genus of in the Hylidae family. This genus was resurrected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae family . The distingushing feature being 56 transformations in nuclear and mitochondrial protein and ribosomal genes. 28 species that were previously placed in the Hyla genus were moved to this genus. The fingers and toes of these frogs have wide dermal fringes. [more]

Hypsiboas

Hypsiboas is a genus of in the Hylidae family. This genus was resurrected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae family. 70 species that were previously placed in the Hyla genus were moved to this genus. [more]

Isthmohyla

[more]

Itapotihyla

Itapotihyla langsdorffii is a species of in the Hylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Itapotihyla. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marches. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Litoria

Litoria is a of Hylidae tree frogs native to Australia, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Moluccan Islands, and Timor. They are sometimes collectively referred to as Australiasian treefrogs. They are distinguishable from other tree frogs by the presence of horizontal irises, no pigmentation of the eye lid and their Wallacean distribution. There are (as of mid-2008) almost 150 species, but as several new species are described every year on average, by 2010 the number of known species is likely to exceed 150. [more]

Lysapsus

Harlequin Frogs (Lysapsus) is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in South America east of the Andes. [more]

Megastomatohyla

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Myersiohyla

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Notodelphis

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Nototrema

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Nyctimantis

Nyctimantis rugiceps is a species of in the Hylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Nyctimantis. It is found in Ecuador, Peru, and possibly Colombia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical swamps. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Nyctimystes

Nyctimystes is a genus of tree in the Hylidae family. They are principally Papuan species but do inhabit islands in the Moluccas and northern Queensland, Australia. All species in this genus have one distinct feature that separates them from other species in the Hylidae genus, the lower eyelid is marked with pattern of lines, veins or dots. This feature presumably acts as camouflage when the frogs are at rest during the day. [more]

Ololygon

[more]

Osteocephalus

Slender-legged Treefrogs (Osteocephalus) is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in the Guianas, the Amazon Basin, Venezuela, Colombia, southeastern Brazil and northeastern Argentina. Males look warty, while females are smooth. [more]

Osteopilus

Osteocephalus is a genus of in the Hylidae family. These species have a bony co-ossification on the skull resulting in a casque. Color varies between uniform brown, brown-gray, or olive with darker markings or marbled with greens, grays or brown, making a distinct pattern. The finger disks are round; the fingers with a reduced webbing; eyes and tympanum are large. Range of living includes The Greater Antilles, Jamaica, Bahama Is., and southern Florida (USA). [more]

Pachymedusa

Pachymedusa dacnicolor is a species of in the Hylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Pachymedusa. It is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, intermittent rivers, intermittent freshwater marshes, water storage areas, and ponds. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Pelodryas

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Phasmahyla

Phasmahyla is a genus of . [more]

Phractops

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Phrynohyas

Phrynohyas was a genus of in the Hylidae family, but the genus is now considered a synonym of Trachycephalus and the six species have been removed to that genus [1]. [more]

Phrynomedusa

Phrynomedusa is a genus of . [more]

Phyllodytes

Heart-tongued Frogs (Phyllodytes) is a genus of in the Hylidae family, found in eastern Brazil and Trinidad. These are small arboreal frogs which live and breed exclusively on epiphytic bromeliad plants. They have serrated teeth and sharp fangs on their jaws. [more]

Phyllomedusa

Phyllomedusa is a of tree frog from Central and South America. It ranges from Costa Rica southward to Argentina. It has around thirty species. [more]

Plectrohyla

Spikethumb Frogs (Plectrohyla) are a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in Central America from southern Mexico through Guatemala, northern El Salvador to central and northern Honduras. A major revision of the Hylidae family moved an additional 21 species to this genus from the Hyla genus . [more]

Pseudacris

Chorus frogs (Pseudacris) are a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. [more]

Pseudis

Pseudis is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in Guianas, Venezuela, Trinidad, southern Brazil, Paraguay, southeastern Peru, eastern Bolivia, northeastern Argentina and Uruguay. [more]

Pternohyla

Pternohyla was a genus of in the Hylidae family, but the genus is now considered invalid and the two species have been removed to the genus Smilisca [1]. [more]

Ptychohyla

Ptychohyla (Stream Frogs) is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in the southern Mexican states of Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca, Central America to western Panama. [more]

Scarthyla

Scarthyla goinorum is a species of in the Hylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Scarthyla. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, rivers, and intermittent rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Scinax

Scinax (Snouted Treefrogs) is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in eastern and southern Mexico to Argentina and Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Lucia. These are small to moderate-sized tree frogs, drably colored. Duellman and Wiens resurrected This genus in 1992. The name originates from the Greek word skinos, meaning quick or nimble.











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Scytopis

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Smilisca

Mexican Treefrogs or Smiliscas (Smilisca) are in the Hylidae family, and are found in Mexico, southern Texas and Arizona, Central America and northwestern South America. In a recent revision of the Hylidae family the two species of the genus Pternohyla was included into this genus. [more]

Sphaenorhynchus

Sphaenorhynchus (lime treefrogs) is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, Guianas, eastern Brazil and Trinidad. [more]

Sphoenohyla

[more]

Stefania

Stefania is a genus of . [more]

Tepuihyla

Amazon Treefrogs (Tepuihyla) is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in mountains of eastern and southeastern Venezuela and Guyana, likely in Brazil. [more]

Tlalocohyla

[more]

Trachycephalus

Trachycephalus is a of frogs, the Casque-headed Treefrogs, contained within the Hylidae family. They are found in eastern Brazil and Pacific lowlands from southern Colombia to northern Peru. In a recent revision the seven species of the genus Phrynohyas was included in this genus and Phrynohyas is now considered a synonym of Trachycephalus These frogs inhabit the canopies of tropical rainforests, where they breed in tree cavities and may seldom, if ever, descend to the ground. [more]

Triprion

Triprion (Shovel-headed Treefrogs) is a genus of in the Hylidae family found in the Pacific lowlands of Mexico, the Yucatán Peninsula, and Guatemala. These frogs hide in tree-holes and plug the entrance with their strange-looking bony head. [more]

Xenohyla

Xenohyla is a genus of in the Hylidae family, and are found in the Brazilian states of Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. [more]

More info about the Genus Xenohyla may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Zweifel, Robert G. (1998). in Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.: Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press, 93-94. ISBN 0-12-178560-2. 

Sources

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Last Revised: November 19, 2008