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Microhylidae

(Family)

Overview

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Microhylidae is a geographically widespread family of frogs. There are 495 species in 68 genera and nine subfamilies, which is the largest number of genera of any frog family.2]

Description

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As suggested by their name, microhylids are mostly small frogs. Many species are below 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) in length, although some species are as large as 9 centimetres (3.5 in).[1] They can be arboreal or terrestrial, and some will even habit close to water. The ground dwellers are often found under leaf litter within forests, occasionally venturing out at night to hunt. There are two main shapes for the microhylids, one with wide bodies and narrow mouths, and the other with normal frog proportions. Those with narrow mouths generally ea t termites and ants, and the others have diets typical of most frogs. The species of the genus Breviceps are burrowing frogs found in the arid regions of Africa. Some of their species will even lay their eggs under ground.

Reproduction

The microhylids of New Guinea and Australia completely bypass the tadpole stage, with direct development from egg to frog. The arboreal species can therefore lay the eggs within the trees, and never need venture to the ground. Where species do have tadpoles, these almost always lack the teeth or horny beak typical of the tadpoles of other families.[1]

Anatomy

The skull has paired palatines and frontoparietals. Facial nerve passes through anterior acoustic foramen in auditory capsule; trigeminal and facial nerve ganglia are fused to form a prootic ganglion. There are eight (or seven) presacral holochordal vertebrae and they are all precoelous except for a biconcave surface on last presacral. Pectoral girdle is firmisternal and some show reduced clavicle and procoracoids Terminal phalanges blunt, pointed or t-shaped. Tadpoles lack keratinized mouth parts and have a large spiracular chamber emptied by a caudomedial spiracle.[3]

Range

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Frogs from Microhylidae occur throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of North America, South America, Africa, eastern India, Sri Lanka, south-east Asia, through New Guinea and Australia. Although most are found in tropical or sub-tropical regions, a few species can be found in arid or non-tropical areas. They are the majority frog species in New Guinea and Madagascar.

dpole stage, with direct development from egg to frog. The arboreal species can therefore lay the eggs within the trees, and never need venture to the ground. Where species do have tadpoles, these almost always lack the teet h or horny beak typical of the tadpoles of other families.[1]

Anatomy

The skull has paired palatines and frontoparietals. Facial nerve passes through anterior acoustic foramen in auditory capsule; trigeminal and facial nerve ganglia are fused to form a prootic ganglion. There are eight (or seven) presacral holochordal vertebrae and they are all precoelous except for a biconcave surface on last presacral. Pectoral girdle is firmisternal and some show reduced clavicle and procoracoids Terminal phalanges blunt, pointed or t-shaped. Tadpoles lack keratinized mouth parts and have a large spiracular chamber emptied by a caudomedial spiracle.[3]

Range

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Frogs from Microhylidae occur throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of North America, South America, Africa, eastern India, Sri Lanka, south-east Asia , through New Guinea and Australia. Although most are found in tropical or sub-tropical regions, a few species can be found in arid or non-tropical areas. They are the majority frog species in New Guinea and Madagascar.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Zweifel, Robert G. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.. ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 102?103. ISBN 0-12-178560-2. 
  2. ^ Blackburn, D.C.; Wake, D.B. (2011). "Class Amphibia Gray, 1825. In: Zhang, Z.-Q. (Ed.) Animal biodiversity: An outline of higher-level classification and survey of taxonomic richness". Zootaxa 3148: 39?55. http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt03148p055.pdf. 
  3. ^ Caldwell, George R. Zug; Laurie J. Vitt; Janalee P. (2001). Herpetology : an introductory biology of amphibians and reptiles (2. ed. ed.). San Diego [u.a.]: Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-782622-X. 

External links

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Taxonomy

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The Family Microhylidae is a member of the Superfamily Microhyloidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Microhylidae:

The Family Microhylidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Adelastes

The Sapito Escondido (Adelastes hylonomus) is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Adelastes.[] It is found in Venezuela and possibly Brazil. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Albericus

Albericus is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

Altigius

Altigius alios is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Altigius.[] It is found in Bolivia and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, swamps, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marches. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Anodonthyla

Anodonthyla is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to Madagascar. It contains eleven recognized species. [more]

Anodontohyla

[more]

Aphantophryne

Aphantophryne is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

Arcovomer

Arcovomer passarellii is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Arcovomer.[] It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Asterophrys

Asterophrys is a small genus of microhylid frogs with only two species from New Guinea. [more]

Austrochaperina

Austrochaperina is a genus of microhylid frogs found on New Guinea, New Britain and Australia. [more]

Barygenys

Barygenys is a genus of microhylid frogs. [more]

Calliglutus

[more]

Calluella

Calluella is a genus of microhylid frogs. [more]

Callula

[more]

Callulops

Callulops is a genus of microhylid frogs. [more]

Calohyla

[more]

Calophrynus

[more]

Chaperina

Chaperina fusca is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Chaperina.[] It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and possibly Brunei. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marches, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Chiasmocleis

Chiasmocleis is a genus of frogs. [more]

Choerophryne

Choerophryne is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

Cophixalus

Cophixalus (Rainforest Frogs or Nursery Frogs) is a genus of frogs. These are arboreal species with expanded toe-pads, endemic to Moluccan Islands, New Guinea and northeastern Queensland, Australia. [more]

Cophyla

Cophyla is a genus of frogs endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Copiula

Copiula is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

Ctenophryne

Ctenophryne is a genus of microhylid frogs. [more]

Dasypops

Dasypops schirchi is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Dasypops.[] It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Dermatonotus

Dermatonotus muelleri is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Dermatonotus.[] It is found in Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Dyscophus

The Tomato frog is any one of the three species of Dyscophus (family Microhylidae): D. antongilii, D. insularis, or D. guineti.The tomato frog originally came from Madagascar. The common name comes from the frog's bright red color. When threatened, a tomato frog puffs up its body. If a predator grabs a tomato frog in its mouth, the frog's skin secretes a thick substance that gums up the predator's eyes and mouth, causing the predator to release the frog to free up its eyes. The gummy substance contains a toxin that occasionally causes allergic reactions in humans. The allergic reaction will not kill a human and the frog secretes it only when frightened. The lifespan of the Tomato Frog can be from 6 to 8 years. When adult, the colors may vary from yellowish orange to deep red. Tomato Frogs will reach sexual maturity in 9 - 14 months. Females are larger than males and can reach 4 inches in length. Males can reach 2 to 3 inches in length.Most females rang e from reddish-orange bright dark red. The bellies are usually more yellowish, and sometimes there are black spots on the throat. But males are not as brightly colored but more of a duller orange or brownish-orange. Juveniles are also dull in color and develop brighter coloration as they mature. They are also on the endangered species list. [more]

Elachistocleis

Elachistocleis is a genus of microhylid frogs. [more]

Gastrophryne

Gastrophryne, the narrow-mouthed toads, is a genus of frogs. [more]

Gastrophrynoides

Gastrophrynoides borneensis is a species of in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Gastrophrynoides. It is found in Malaysia, possibly Brunei, and possibly Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Genyophryne

Genyophryne thomsoni is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Genyophryne.[] It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. [more]

Glyphoglossus

Glyphoglossus molossus is a species of in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Glyphoglossus. It is found in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Hamptophryne

The Hamptophryne Bolivien (Hamptophryne boliviana) is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Hamptophryne.[] It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, swamps, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marches. [more]

Hoplophryne

Hoplophryne is a genus of frogs endemic to Tanzania. [more]

Hylaedactylus

[more]

Hylophorbus

Hylophorbus (Mawatta Frogs) is a genus of frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

Hyophryne

Hyophryne histrio is a species of in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Hyophryne. It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Hypopachus

Hypopachus is a genus of microhylid frogs. [more]

Kalophrynus

Kalophrynus is a genus of frogs. [more]

Kaloula

Kaloula is a genus of frogs. [more]

Liophryne

Liophryne is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

Madecassophryne

Madecassophryne truebae is a species of in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Madecassophryne. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Manthophryne

[more]

Mantipus

[more]

Mantophryne

Mantophryne is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

Melanobatrachus

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[1] [more]

Melanophryne

Metaphrynella

Metaphrynella is a genus of microhylid frogs. [more]

Microhyla

Microhyla is a genus of microhylids, a group of diminutive frogs. [more]

Micryletta

Micryletta is a small genus of microhylid frogs. [more]

Myersiella

Myersiella microps is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Myersiella.[] It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Nelsonophryne

Nelsonophryne is a small genus of frogs. [more]

Oreophryne

Oreophryne (Cross Frogs) is a genus of frogs endemic to Southern Philippine, Celebes and the Lesser Sunda Islands, and New Guinea. [more]

Otophryne

Otophryne is a small genus of frogs. [more]

Oxydactyla

Oxydactyla is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

Paracophyla

[more]

Paradoxophyla

Paradoxophyla is a small genus of microhylid frogs endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Parhoplophryne

Parhoplophryne usambarica is a species of in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Parhoplophryne. It is endemic to Tanzania. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Pherohapsis

Pherohapsis menziesi is a species of in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Pherohapsis. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, plantations , and rural gardens. [more]

Phrynella

Phrynella pulchra is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Phrynella. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Phrynixalus

[more]

Phrynocara

[more]

Phrynomantis

Phrynomantis is a genus of frog in the Microhylidae family. [more]

Platyhyla

[more]

Platypelis

Platypelis is a genus of frogs endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Plethodontohyla

Plethodontohyla is a genus of frogs endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Ramanella

Ramanella is a genus of microhylid frogs from India and Sri Lanka. Frogs in this genus are small and characteristically have discs on their fingers but lack them on the toes. [more]

Relictivomer

Relictivomer pearsei is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Relictivomer.[] It is found in Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Rhombophryne

Rhombophryne is a of microhylid frogs endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Scaphiophryne

Scaphiophryne is a genus of microhylid frogs that are endemic to Madagascar. Some of the species are strikingly marked, while others are highly cryptic. They are rather plump and generally found on the ground. Several species in the genus are threatened because of habitat loss and over-collection for the international pet trade. [more]

Sphenophryne

Sphenophryne cornuta is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Sphenophryne.[] It is found in West Papua in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forest. [more]

Stereocyclops

Stereocyclops is a small genus of frogs from Brazil. [more]

Stumpffia

Stumpffia is a genus of frogs endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Synapturanus

Synapturanus is a genus of frogs. [more]

Syncope

Syncope may refer to one of the following: [more]

Uperodon

Uperodon is a small genus of microhylid frogs. [more]

Xenobatrachus

Xenobatrachus is a genus of frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

Xenorhina

Xenorhina is a genus of frogs endemic to New Guinea. [more]

At least 32 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Xenorhina.

More info about the Genus Xenorhina may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Zweifel, Robert G. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.. ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 102?103. ISBN 0-12-178560-2. 
  2. ^ Blackburn, D.C.; Wake, D.B. (2011). "Class Amphibia Gray, 1825. In: Zhang, Z.-Q. (Ed.) Animal biodiversity: An outline of higher-level classification and survey of taxonomic richness". Zootaxa 3148: 39?55. http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt03148p055.pdf. 
  3. < a href="#cite_ref-2">^ Caldwell, George R. Zug; Laurie J. Vitt; Janalee P. (2001). Herpetology : an introductory biology of amphibians and reptiles (2. ed. ed.). San Diego [u.a.]: Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-782622-X. 

Footnotes

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  1. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=31544

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:36:13