Biodiversity of Anura

What characteristics define Anura?

Saltatorial locomotion (jumping)

No tail as adult, elongated hindlimbs, fused limb bones

Buccal pumping

drink patch

What are the three suborders of Anura?

Archaeobatrachia (primitive frogs, ex: tailed frogs)

Mesobatrachia (middle frogs, ex: Surinam toad)

Neobatrachia (new frogs, ex: most other frogs, Hylidae, ranidae, and bufonidae)

How do most Anurans reproduce?

external fertilization called amplexus

Characteristics of family Ascaphidae

“tailed frogs”

Archaeobatrachia

extension of cloaca

Tympanum absent

most basal taxa— has 9th vertebrae, vestigial tail musculature

tadpoles have suction cup mouth

Coamplexus

Distribution: West coast of U.S

Characteristics of Family Microhylidae

Narrow mouthed frogs

Neobatrachia

Terrestrial, aquatic, arboreal, fossorial, and cave-dwelling

very diverse

Distribution: found all over, mainly in asia and south america

Characteristics of Family Scaphiopodida

American spadefoot toads

Neobatrachia

Keratinized “spade” like tubercle on hindfeet

Vertical pupils

Fossorial, dry environments

inguinal amplexus

Distribution: America and mexico

characteristics of Family bufonidae

True toads

Neobatrachia

diverse

warty skin, shortened and strong forelimbs, parotoid glands behind tympanum

Bidder’s organ (ovary like organ in males and females)

Lay eggs in 2 strings, contains viviparous (live young) species

Distribution: everywhere

Characteristics of Family Hylidae

Tree frogs

Neobatrachia

Very diverse

Toepads, forward facing eyes

Axillary amplexus

Distribution: high diversity in south America an Australia, other tropical places

Characteristics of Family Ranidae

True frogs

Neobatrachia

Saltatorial locomotion, toe webbing, distinct tadpole stage, smooth skin

Example of hybridogenesis

Pelophylax Kl. esculentus

Form of kleptogenesis, parental species hybridize to broduce edible frog who then discards one parental genome.

Characteristics of Family Dendrobatidae

Poison Frog

Bright coloring

Carries babies on back until put them in a plant

Distibution: central America

Characteristics of Family Ceratophryidae

Horned Frogs

ambush predator

known to eat other tadpoles

Distribution: South America

Characteristics of Family Breviceptidae

Rain Frog

very round with short legs

Direct development, uses adhesive to mate

Distribution: southern Africa

Characteristics of Family Arthroleptidae

Hairy frog

Small (40mm), cartilaginous sterna, has “hair” on sides, “Breaking” finger bones

Distribution: central africa (coast)