18 April 2008

Mostly occur in the north temperate regions

Only 1 family occurs in the New World Tropics Plethodontidae – the lungless salamanders

Respire through skin/mucous membranes Mostly forest dwellers, not very aquatic

Smooth, moist skin Four appendages, tail

Bolitoglossa mexicana a.k.a. “Black-and-gold salamander” Moderately large (150 mm) Toes fully webbed Yellow/rust spots Inactive during dry periods Found in rotten logs, etc.http://www.uta.edu/biology/

campbell/herpetology/ccampbell3.jpg

Bolitoglossa rufescens a.k.a. “Common dwarf salamander” Small species (65 mm) Digits fully webbed Pale brown/tan Dark brown streak behind

eyes to mid-back

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/imgs/128x192/1111_1111/1111/7803.jpeg

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/imgs/

128x192/1111_1111/1111/5203.jpeg

“Jumping and hopping” amphibians Hind limbs elongate and well-

developed Males with vocal slits External fertilization (in most anurans)

In all Belizean toads/frogs Habitat use and appearance determine

whether it is called a frog or a toad

“True toads” Occur in most tropical and sub-tropical

areas Usually squat-bodied Hopping rather than jumping Skin warty, glandular, dry to the touch Parotoid glands behind eyes

Bufo marinus a.k.a. “Giant toad” Large toad (150 mm) Sexually dimorphic

Males reddish with spiny tubercles

Females pale grey/mottledwith rounded tubercles

http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/herps/Frogs_and_Toads/B_marinus/

Bufo_marinus.jpg

http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/images/nature_conservation/cane_toad.jpg

Bufo valliceps Moderate size (70 mm) Large triangular

parotoid glands Skin warty, rough Coloration variable

http://www.palaeos.com/Vertebrates/Units/Unit180/Images/BufoValliceps.jpg

http://www.hartmanprehistoricgarden.com/sp-bufo1.jpg

Class photo

Chirping, climbing, foam, leaf-litter, and stream frogs

Widespread in Americas Large variety

Large to small Smooth skinned to warty, toad-like

Genus Eleutherodactylus contains >500 spp. Largest genus of tetrapods

Eleutherodactylus laticeps Broad-headed leaf-litter frog Dorso-lateral glandular ridges 50-80 mm Small toe discs Minor webbing

between toeshttp://portal.isis.org/partners/AARK/YOTF%20Campaign%20Pack%20images/Eleutherodactylus%20cf%20suetus,%20Ranas,%20Francisco%20José%20López.jpg

Eleutherodactylus chac “Chac’s leaf-litter frog” X or hourglass shape

on back 30 mm Variable color

http://piclib.nhm.ac.uk/piclib/webimages/0/29000/0/29094_sml.jpg

http://web.viu.ca/belize/images/amphibian%20images/mayanfrogsmall.JPG

Eleutherodactylus rugulosus “Long-legged stream frog” 50 mm Well-developed toe pads Interorbital bar Found near streams

http://www.weimer-eurprobiol.de/frog37.jpg

Leptodactylus melanonotus “Fringe-toed foamfrog” Color highly variable Thick glandular skin 40 mm

http://www.eitangrunwald.com/CR703/CR703Web2/7705Eleutherodactylus_sp.jpg

http://www.puce.edu.ec/zoologia/vertebrados/amphibiawebec/especies/anura/leptodactylidae/melanonotus/melanonotus29621_g.gif

Class photo

Leptodactylus labialis Two phases (white, red)

Class photos

Physalaemus pustulosus Extremely tuberculate skin Resembles some toads 30 mm Lacks toe pads Dorsal mottling

variable

http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/herpetology/

acampbell32.jpg

Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia…

Greatest diversity in Americas

Adaptations for arboreality Large finger discs Much cartilage between last 2 phalanges

Agalychnis callidryas Bright red iris; bright green/yellow body

pattern Widespread, abundant 60 mm Pointed snout Long, slender limbs

Walk, not leap Vertical pupils

Class photo

Agalychnis moreletii Dorsum leaf green, venter cream/yellow Iris deep purple/black Restricted distribution 65 mm Slender limbs Large toe pads Vertical pupils

http://www.arkive.org/media/89/896F89F6-670C-4B57-A0E4-7A44373A2F12/Presentation.Large/

photo.jpg

Hyla bromeliacia Dorsum pale brown, black flecks Snout pointed Skin smooth Large toe pads Partial webbing 30 mm

http://www.authenticmaya.com/images/Hyla_bromeliacia_small.jpg

Hyla ebraccata “Hourglass treefrog” 30 mm Snout truncate Smooth skin Forearms robust Large toe pads Partial webbing

http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2007/06/09/hourglass-

treefrog/

Hyla loquax “Loquacious treefrog” Snout broadly rounded 40 mm Toes webbed

(nearly fully) Dorsum variable

with flecks Iris reddish tan

http://users.dickinson.edu/

~bobacks/photos/loqax.jpg

http://www.rarimages.com/BelizeImages/Amphibians/

tn_MahoganyTreefrog(Hyla_loquax)1001.jpg

Hyla microcephala Snout somewhat pointed 25 mm Partial webbing Dark dorsal markings

form H or X Venter mostly white

http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/herpetology/

acampbell24.jpg

Hyla picta “Painted treefrog” Snout rounded Toe pads small 20 mm Yellowish with

dark flecks Stripe from snout

through eye

http://www.andrewgray.com/projectanuran/SpeciesPages/Hyla

%20picta.htm

Phrynohyas venulosa “Milky treefrog” 90 mm Large toe pads Partial webbing Pale brown with

dark blotches Chin, throat, belly

whiteClass photo

Scinax staufferi 25 mm Snout pointed and

protruding Vestigial webbing Stripe through eye Pale brown dorsum White, cream venter Class photo

Smilisca baudinii Baudin’s treefrog 65 mm Loud, raucous call Smooth skin Large digital pads Irregular dorsal

splotchesClass photo

Smilisca cyanosticta 60 mm Snout rounded Smooth skin Limbs long,

robust Coloring variable

with environment Time of day, temp. http://www.uta.edu/biology/

campbell/herpetology/acampbell28.jpg

Triprion petasatus Unusual head shape

Skin co-ossified 60 mm Dark green with

dark flecks Transverse bars

on limbs Iris gold

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/936/15005809.JPG

http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/herpetology/acampbell29.jpg

Thin, translucent skin covering the belly

Finger/toe pads

Superficially resemble treefrogs (Hylidae)

Pupil horizontal

Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni “Northern glassfrog” 22 mm Iris gold Dark melanophores

on dorsum

Class photos

Campbell – Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Guatemala, the Yucatan and Belize.

Beletsky – Travellers’ Wildlife Guides – Belize and Northern Guatemala.