The frogs and toads which comprise this group all have four legs, the hindlegs usually being much longer than the forelegs. Although the name of the group indicates that these animals lack a tail, this refers only to the adult condition. Tadpoles have a well developed, finned tail with which they swim.
It seems that the ancestors of the frogs and other \P\Pamphibian\p\ps had lungs which were inadequate to provide the oxygen necessary for strong exertion on the land and that, in consequence, the skin was developed as a respiratory organ - it is rather thin, moist and richly supplied with blood. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that it involves a high rate of loss of body water by evaporation. Frogs have consequently evolved a variety of strategies for reducing, or offsetting, water loss. One obvious resolution of the difficulty is to remain in humid surroundings and to enter water frequently to replenish the body's supply. Another is to restrict activity to the night, when temperatures are lowest: certainly the few frogs that are active during the day live in very moist habitats.
#
"Order Anura - (p2 of 3)",2,0.wpf,g,0
\B(ahn-ue'-rah: "tail-less")\b
In addition to the needs of adults, most frogs require access to a substantial body of water in which to lay their eggs and in which their \Paquatic\p tadpoles can exist prior to metamorphosis. Nevertheless, many frogs have found ways around this restriction and attention is drawn in the following \Pspecies\p accounts to an amazing variety of devices by which Australian anurans have modified the typical life-history in order to survive in difficult habitats.
In the course of not less than 250 million years, the anurans have evolved into a number of groups, each of which has radiated into a wide variety of \Pspecies\p. \PSpecies\p of quite different ancestry have become adapted to very similar ways of life and this \Pconvergent evolution\p has left zoologists with puzzles that are difficult to resolve. External appearance is of very little significance in the classification of anurans much above the \Pspecies\p level - and utterly unreliable at the level of family or higher. In their internal structure, anurans are remarkably similar and opinions upon the degrees of relationship therefore tend to be based upon the evaluation of the significance of rather minor anatomical differences, the significance of which is often a matter of debate.
The apparent distinctions employed in everyday language are quite illusory. For example, the \Pcommon\p distinction between 'frogs' and 'toads' is that a 'toad' is an anuran with a dry, warty skin which lives some distance from water, whereas a 'frog' has smooth, wet skin and keeps close to water. Since many anurans of quite different ancestry have evolved into 'toads', this distinction is meaningless.
#
"Order Anura - (p3 of 3)",3,0.wpf,g,0
\B(ahn-ue'-rah: "tail-less")\b
Over the past decade, three major schemes have been proposed for classification of the Anura at the subordinal and family level. Each has its advantages but none is totally convincing and the situation is in such flux that it is impossible to present a final analysis. Until recently, most zoologists recognised a family, the Leptodactylidae, with representatives in Australia and New Guinea, South America and the tip of the African continent (a typical Gondwanan distribution). It has been suggested, however, that the Leptodactylidae should be restricted to the South American frogs previously in this assemblage; that the Australian members of the group be placed in the family Myobatrachidae; and the South African \Pspecies\p in yet another family.
On the grounds that no satisfactory definition of the Myobatrachidae has yet been provided and that there is such divergence between the Australian \Pspecies\p in the (old) Leptodactylidae that any revision of the group might well merit its division into two Australian families, the approach taken in this text is to delay radical definition until the situation becomes clearer.
About two dozen families of frogs are currently recognised. In the conservative view adopted here, four of these are represented in the native Australian fauna: the Hylidae, with three \Pgenera\p; the Leptodactylidae, with nineteen \Pgenera\p; the Microhylidae, with two \Pgenera\p; and the Ranidae with one genus. The Cane Toad is a member of the family Bufonidae and it was introduced into Australia about sixty years ago.
\INotes: Overall length of adult is from tip of snout to vent: maximum length of tadpole is from tip of snout to tip of tail. Recent rapid disappearance of various frogs from many parts of the world suggests that all \Pspecies\p may be \Pvulnerable\p to unidentified changes in the global environment.\i
#
"Family Hylidae",4,0.wpf,g,0
\B(hie'-'lid-ee: "\IHyla\i-family"; after a genus of frog)\b
The family \IHylidae\i has a very broad distribution including Europe, much of Asia, the northern tip of Africa, the Americas, Australia and New Guinea. The major areas of abundance and diversity are firstly South America, followed by New Guinea and Australia. In all there are 36 hylid \Pgenera\p, of which three occur in Australia.
The \IHylidae\i include some of the most beautiful frogs in the world; many are leaf-green. The majority of \Pspecies\p live above the ground in vegetation, but some live on the ground, and one Australian genus \I(Cyclorana)\i is composed of burrowing frogs.
The only anatomical feature shared by hylid frogs is a narrow disc or rod of cartilage or bone (the \Pintercalary\p structure), between the terminal bones of the fingers and toes and the adjacent bones. In \ICyclorana\i only a few cells of cartilage remain.
In Australia, hylid frogs are rather uniform in their reproductive patterns, laying eggs in water (usually static) and having a free-living tadpole stage. In South America there is greater diversity, including \IGastrotheca\i which carries eggs in a pouch upon the back.
Some zoologists place the Australian \Pgenera\p in a separate family: the \IPelodryadidae.\i
#
"Genus Cyclorana",5,0.wpf,g,0
\B(sie'-kloh-rah'-nah: "round-frog")\b
This genus comprises a group of squat-bodied burrowing frogs with muscular back legs. They all have a sharpened prominence on the undersurface of the foot to aid burrowing. \ICyclorana\i occupies the north of the continent, including the centre and extends southward into the arid portions of western New South Wales.
\PSpecies\p ranging in size from the diminutive \IC. manya\i, with adults as short as 25 millimetres, to \IC. australis\i which can reach 10 centimetres. Most members have dull, mottled markings, but \IC. brevipes, C. longipes\i and \IC. maculosus\i have striking, contrasting body markings.
Frogs of this genus often occur in areas of unreliable rainfall and appear, in general, to be able to breed whenever conditions become favourable.
Mating calls tend to be long and deep, and those of various \Pspecies\p have been likened to the lowing of cattle, sounds of sheep and even the crying of a baby.
Eight of the 12 \Pspecies\p were not known (or not recognised) 20 years ago, and it is likely that a few \Pspecies\p remain to be described.
#
"Genus Litoria",6,0.wpf,g,0
\B(lit'-or-ee'-ah: probably "shore, strand or beach [frog]")\b
Representatives of this genus range throughout Australia and New Guinea, to the Solomon Islands in the east, and as far as Timor in the west: some \Pspecies\p have been introduced by humans into western England, New Zealand and Guam. To date about 100 \Pspecies\p are known, of which half occur in Australia.
\ILitoria\i is a remarkably diverse genus and may, in fact, represent several \Pgenera\p that have been lumped together. The smallest \Pspecies\p is \IL. microbelos\i whose adults may be as small as 14mm, whereas the largest is \IL. infrafrenata,\i up to 14cm long.
Although traditionally known as tree-frogs, some \Pspecies\p climb rarely, living on the ground amongst rocks or leaf litter. One \I(L. meiriana)\i can skip across the surface of the water. The climbing \Pspecies\p are equipped with large circular discs upon the tips of their fingers and toes. These discs secrete a sticky mucus, permitting these frogs to walk up a vertical sheet of glass, or to perch upon a leaf or branch. Many are masters of camouflage, able to change the tone of their green, brown or grey skins.
#
"Genus Nyctimystes",7,0.wpf,g,0
\B(nik'-ti-mis'-tayz: "night-mystery")\b
This is essentially a New Guinean genus of which a single \Pspecies\p, \IN. dayi,\i entered Australia during one of the periods when the two landmasses were linked by land. In New Guinea, there are at least 20 known \Pspecies\p, with many more in museum collections awaiting description.
In many respects, \Pspecies\p of \INyctimystes\i resemble tree-dwelling \Pspecies\p of \ILitoria,\i generally having flattened bodies and always being equipped with circular discs on the tips of their fingers and toes. They differ in having more \Pprotuberant\p eyes, a pupil which contracts to a vertical slit (horizontal in \ILitoria),\i and a pattern of veins or dots of pigment on the lower eyelid.
All but one \Pspecies\p of \INyctimystes\i have eggs surrounded by tough jelly and streamlined tadpoles with sucking mouths: these are adaptations to life in fast-flowing water.
#
"Family Leptodactylidae",8,0.wpf,g,0
\B(lep'-toh-dak-til'-id-ee: "\ILeptodactylus\i-family", after a genus of frogs)\b
Slightly more than half of the Australian frog \Pspecies\p are members of the \ILeptodactylidae.\i This family occurs in South America, Australia and New Guinea. Some zoologists also include a South African genus in the family.
There is uncertainty about the number of \Pgenera\p in Australia because for some \Pgenera\p the status is in doubt. Nineteen \Pgenera\p are recognised here.
The Australian leptodactylids are extremely diverse in their lifestyle, body form and reproductive biology. They range in size from the tiny \ICrinia\i \Pspecies\p, with adults as short as 13mm, to the bulky \IMixophyes\i \Pspecies\p that can reach 10cm. Body form can be slender, as in \ICrinia,\i obese as in \IMyobatrachus\i or globular as in \INotaden.\i Some leptodactylids climb, others live on the ground or in water and several \Pgenera\p are burrowers.
Australian leptodactylids lay eggs in a variety of places: under leaves upon the ground, in floating nests of foam, in burrows etc. They include two bizarre examples of parental care: the carrying of young in hip pockets by \IAssa,\i and the conversion of the stomach of \IRheobatrachus\i to a brood sac.
Some zoologists consider that the Australian members of the family should be put in a separate family: the Myobatrachidae.
#
"Genus Adelotus",9,0.wpf,g,0
\B(ad-el-oh'-tus: (unseen [frog])\b
This genus includes only a single \Pspecies\p of unique appearance and attributes.
The relationships of \IAdelotus\i to other \Pgenera\p is uncertain but lie within the subfamily Limnodynastinae which includes the marsh frogs \ILimnodynastes\i and burrowing frogs such as \INeobatrachus.\i It shares with \ILimnodynastes, Heleioporus, Lechriodus\i and \IMegistolotis,\i the habit of laying its eggs in a nest of foam that floats upon the surface of water.
#
"Genus Arenophryne",10,0.wpf,g,0
\B(ah-ray'-no-frie'-nee: "sand-toad")\b
This genus contains a single \Pspecies\p. The affinities of \IArenophryne\i lie with the Turtle Frog \IMyobatrachus gouldii\i and with the toadlet genus \IPseudophryne.\i \IArenophryne\i and \IMyobatrachus\i are both predominantly inhabitants of sandhills and they are the only Australian frogs to burrow headfirst. Both have obese bodies and such short legs that they waddle rather than walk; when hurrying, they virtually swim across the sand.
#
"Genus Assa",11,0.wpf,g,0
\B(as'-sah: "dry-nurse")\b
This genus has a single \Pspecies\p, distinguished by its unique brooding of tadpoles in hip pockets of the male. (Other skin-pocket brooders occur only in South America.)
Among other unusual features, the fingers are shortened and have less than the usual number of bones.
#
"Genus Bryobatrachus",12,0.wpf,g,0
\B(brie'-oh-bat'-rak-us: "moss-frog")\b
Described in 1994, the single \Pspecies\p of \IBryobatrachus\i is confined to the southwest of Tasmania. In its appearance it is difficult to distinguish from \ICrinia,\i but its reproductive pattern is unique amongst Australian frogs. The tadpoles remain within the egg membranes for their entire period of development and emerge with four legs and a tail. Normally, the tail is completely absorbed if this mode of development is adopted.
#
"Genus Crinia",13,0.wpf,g,0
\B(krin'-ee-ah: meaning obscure; possible reference to lily pad)\b
There are 18 \Pspecies\p of little frogs in this genus. Most are popularly called froglets. Seventeen \Pspecies\p occur on the Australian mainland, one of which \I(C. remota)\i also reaches southern New Guinea; \IC. tasmaniensis\i is confined to Tasmania. All are found close to water. Being very small (about 2 centimetres long) they run a high risk of dehydration.
Many \Pspecies\p show great variation in the texture of the skin and in the pattern of markings on the head and back. Thus the skin can be smooth, warty, lyrate (with a pair of curved folds shaped like a lyre on the back), or with raised, straight folds of the skin. Similarly, the back may be uniformly coloured or bear a pattern of markings of different degrees of complexity. This \Ppolymorphism\p often creates considerable confusion, and in several \Pspecies\p the different forms have been described as different \Pspecies\p or \Psubspecies\p.
Since only one photograph illustrates each of the \ICrinia\i \Pspecies\p, the great range of variation within a \Pspecies\p cannot be shown. It is important not to regard a photograph as diagnostic. In appearance most \Pspecies\p exhibit a similar range of patterns. The male call is the most significant distinguishing characteristic, and geographic locality is the second best guide to identification.
#
"Genus Geocrinia",14,0.wpf,g,0
\B(jee'-oh-krin'-ee-ah: "earth-\ICrinia",\i after a genus of frogs)\b
At one time all small Australian frogs were lumped together into two groups: \ICrinia\i (froglets) and \IPseudophryne\i or \IUperoleia\i (toadlets). This proved to be an oversimplification and now they are subdivided more finely, with \IGeocrinia\i being regarded as quite distinct from both froglets and toadlets.
What sets \IGeocrinia\i apart is a squat, rather than elongate, body, shorter limbs and (in most \Pspecies\p) the habit of laying eggs on saturated ground, rather than in free water.
\IGeocrinia\i is found only in the moister parts of south-western and south-eastern Australia.
#
"Genus Heleioporus",15,0.wpf,g,0
\B(hel'-ay-oh-por'-us: "marsh-dweller")\b
Like \IGeocrinia,\i this genus occurs in two discrete parts of the southern half of the continent. Only one \Pspecies\p \I(H. australiacus)\i inhabits the south-east, and it is confined to a narrow portion of the eastern seaboard of New South Wales and Victoria. The remainder live in the south-west of Western Australia.
\PSpecies\p differ in size and colour but are uniform in having a robust body and relatively short limbs. Males develop curious black thorns on their thumbs and use these to maintain a \Psecure\p hold on a female while mating. Also unusual amongst Australian frogs, is the habit of laying eggs at the foot of a burrow.
#
"Genus Kyarranus",16,0.wpf,g,0
\B(kee'-ah-rah'-nus: Aboriginal [NSW] name for a frog of this genus)\b
This genus includes three geographically separated \Pspecies\p, each living only in high country ranging from eastern New South Wales to Queensland.
The genus is closely related to \IPhiloria,\i and some zoologists do not regard the two as distinct. \IKyarranus\i \Pspecies\p are smaller and have smooth skins, whereas the skin is raised and glandular in \IPhiloria.\i The toes are particularly long and the various \Pspecies\p have bold markings on their backs, or brilliant overall coloration.
#
"Genus Lechriodus",17,0.wpf,g,0
\B(lek-ree-oh'-dus: "slanting-tooth")\b
Of the leptodactylid \Pgenera\p found both in Australia and New Guinea, \ILechriodus\i is the only one with most \Pspecies\p in New Guinea. All are ground dwellers, usually in forested areas. One \Pspecies\p occurs in Australia.
\ILechriodus\i \Pspecies\p have streamlined bodies and very powerful legs. When disturbed they leap away in a series of gigantic jumps. All \Pspecies\p are cryptically marked.
A fossil \ILechriodus\i has been reported recently from the rich Oligo-Miocene sites at Riversleigh Station in north-west Queensland. It is extremely significant because it provides a geographic link between the New Guinea and Australian \Pspecies\p.
All of the 12 \Pspecies\p of \ILimnodynastes\i occur in Australia; and one of them, \IL. convexiusculus,\i reaches southern New Guinea.
The members of this genus are conspicuous wherever they live and, compared with other \Pgenera\p, population numbers are high. All lay their eggs in foam nests upon the surface of the water. The foam is created by the female which traps air bubbles at the surface of the water with specially broadened fingers, and throws them downwards and backwards. The air bubbles bounce on her abdomen, pass between her legs, and there become embedded in the egg jelly emerging from her vent.
Several groupings of this \Pspecies\p are recognised, differentiated by body shape and other features. Members of the \IL. \Pdorsal\pis\i group have bulky bodies and a \Pprotuberant\p gland upon the calf; the \IL. tasmaniensis\i group have flattened bodies; \IL. ornatus\i and \IL. spenceri\i are small and rotund.
#
"Genus Megistolotis",19,0.wpf,g,0
\B(meg'-is-toh-loh'-tis: "largest-ear")\b
This genus contains but a single \Pspecies\p. \IMegistolotis\i is most closely related to \ILimnodynastes.\i It differs from \ILimnodynastes\i in having a very large \Ptympanum\p or external ear, which appears as a circular disc behind the eye.
Five \Pspecies\p of \IMixophyes\i occur in Australia and a sixth was discovered recently in New Guinea. All are large, muscular, agile frogs which leap away rapidly when disturbed. Spawn is laid slightly out of water beside streams, and the individual eggs are protected by tough outer capsules.
\IMixophyes\i \Pspecies\p differ from one another in their \Plateral\p head markings, and the colour and degree of webbing between the toes.
Other Australian leptodactylids have a mating embrace in which the male grasps the female around the waist, but \IMixophyes\i \Pspecies\p grasp around the upper arms.
#
"Genus Myobatrachus",21,0.wpf,g,0
\B(mie'-oh-bat'-rak-us: "muscle-frog")\b
The single \Pspecies\p of \IMyobatrachus,\i the most distinctive of all Australian frogs, was the first leptodactylid to be described. Its characteristic small head, large body and shovel-like fingers set it apart from other \Pgenera\p. However, \IArenophryne,\i its closest relative, provides an intermediate between \IMyobatrachus\i and other Australian \Pgenera\p.
#
"Genus Neobatrachus",22,0.wpf,g,0
\B(nee'-oh-bat'-rak-us: "new frog")\b
Field identification of \INeobatrachus\i \Pspecies\p is often extremely difficult, and identification of preserved specimens in museum collections is even harder. Consequently, there has been much uncertainty about how many \Pspecies\p actually exist, and where these are distributed.
As a result of recent studies, the number of described \Pspecies\p now stands at nine and their ranges are understood more thoroughly. Nevertheless, much work remains to be done in several States before a clear picture will emerge.
Most photographs of \INeobatrachus\i show them with their bodies low to the ground. But when undisturbed they sit almost upright, with their large eyes protruding high above the head. Like other burrowing frogs they have a sharp projection on the undersurface of the foot to aid digging.
#
"Genus Notaden",23,0.wpf,g,0
\B(noh'-tah-den: "back-gland")\b
\PSpecies\p of this genus occur principally in northern Australia; at night they are one of the dominant elements of the fauna. They differ only slightly in body form, size and subtle features of coloration being more important distinguishing characters.
Despite the extensive and almost continuous distribution of \INotaden\i \Pspecies\p, no two \Pspecies\p have been found together.
The male calls of all \Pspecies\p sound similar: no analysis has yet been conducted to determine whether there are subtle differences.
When handled, the frogs exude copious pale cream secretions.
#
"Genus Philoria",24,0.wpf,g,0
\B(fil-or'-ee-ah: "mountain-lover")\b
Despite the geographic isolation of the single \Pspecies\p of this genus, its affinities lie with smaller New South Wales and Queensland frogs which are referred to as \Pspecies\p of \IKyarranus.\i
#
"Genus Paracrinia",25,0.wpf,g,0
The characteristics of the genus are those of the \Pspecies\p.
#
"Genus Pseudophryne",26,0.wpf,g,0
\B(sue'-doh-frie'-nee: "false-toad")\b
The most charming of all Australian frogs, these little creatures give the impression of being defenseless. Geographically they are a southern Australian genus. The majority have a dull general coloration but highly contrasting head patches and armlets (bands around the arm) are common, whilst \IP. corroboree\i is remarkably conspicuous.
All but one of the \Pspecies\p lay eggs on land and have delayed emergence of the tadpoles from the egg capsules. The exception, \IP. douglasi,\i lays its eggs in water.
#
"Genus Rheobatrachus",27,0.wpf,g,0
\B(ree'-oh-bat'-rak-us: "stream-frog")\b
Each of the two \IRheobatrachus\i \Pspecies\p is confined to remnants of \Pmontane\p rainforest in eastern Queensland. They share similar body proportions but differ in coloration and maximum size attained.
\IReobatrachus\i is characterised by a slimy skin, \Plateral\p line sense organs upon the sides of the body, and fang-like teeth.
The reproductive mode of gastric brooding is unique amongst \Pvertebrate\ps, leading to worldwide interest in the genus.
#
"Genus Taudactylus",28,0.wpf,g,0
\B(tow-dak'-til-us: "T-finger")\b
The six members of this genus occur in rainforest along the narrow coastal seaboard of eastern Australia and the adjacent Great Dividing Range. A characteristic feature is the form of the terminal bones of the fingers and toes, which are divided to form a T-shape within the enlarged external discs. All are small \Pspecies\p.
#
"Genus Uperoleia",29,0.wpf,g,0
\B(yue'-per-oh-lay'-ah: "above-smooth" or "smooth-back", but treated here simply as "frog")\b
Intensive studies over the last 10 years have raised the number of \Pspecies\p of this genus from six to the present total of 23.
\IUperoleia\i is one of the most conservative of \Pgenera\p in that the body proportions are similar in all \Pspecies\p, and the differences between most of them are extremely subtle. The skin is generally warty, and the limbs are very short. All members of this genus are burrowers and have one (or sometimes two) sharp, spade-like prominences on the undersurface of the foot to aid digging. Male calls exhibit limited variation and are one of two kinds: a short click or a long squelch.
Because of their small size and cryptic markings, \IUperoleia\i \Pspecies\p are hard to locate. Males tend to call from the base of coarse grasses.
#
"Family Microhylidae",30,0.wpf,g,0
\B(mie'-kroh-hie'-lid-ee: "Small \IHyla\i-family", after a genus of tree-frogs)\b
The very successful family Microhylidae has diversified most in South America, Madagascar and New Guinea.
In Australia there are two microhylid \Pgenera\p: \ICophixalus\i and \ISphenophryne\i but many more representatives of these \Pgenera\p occur in New Guinea. With one exception, the Australian microhylids are confined to Cape York Peninsula: a distribution suggesting that their ancestors crossed from New Guinea into Australia when sea levels were lower.
Because of the remoteness of their habitats and the secretive nature of the \Pspecies\p, little is known about their biology.
Most microhylid frogs are dull brown or green. Bright markings are \Prare\p among the Australian \Pspecies\p. It is extremely difficult to distinguish the two Australian \Pgenera\p because it involves examining the muscles of the throat, and the number and shape of the bones in the chest.
#
"Genus Cophixalus",31,0.wpf,g,0
\B(kof'-ix-ah'-lus: possibly "silent-jumper" but treated here simply as "frog")\b
\ICophixalus\i is a genus of small frogs found in New Guinea and Cape York Peninsula. Eleven \Pspecies\p are currently known to occur in Australia but, because \Pspecies\p tend to have localised distributions, others may yet be discovered. In New Guinea there are dozens of \Pspecies\p.
All \ICophixalus\i \Pspecies\p have smooth skins. Some have large truncated discs on their fingers and climb, whilst others have small or even scarcely detectable discs and live upon the ground. All \ICophixalus\i \Pspecies\p have direct development. Eggs are laid in moist conditions, usually sheltered by damp leaf litter.
#
"Genus Sphenophryne",32,0.wpf,g,0
\B(sfen'-oh-frie'-nee: "wedge-shaped-toad")\b
The distribution and abundance of the \Pspecies\p of \ISphenophryne\i resembles that of \ICophixalus,\i with five \Pspecies\p in Australia and many more in New Guinea. However, while four of the Australian \Pspecies\p are confined to the Cape York Peninsula, one \I(S. adelphe)\i is found only on the northern coastline and adjacent islands of the Northern Territory.
\ISphenophryne\i \Pspecies\p share with \ICophixalus\i the reproductive habit of direct development, and also lay eggs in damp, secluded sites. The Australian \ISphenophryne\i \Pspecies\p are small, compact frogs without large discs on the ends of their digits. All are found on the ground, commonly in secluded spots.
#
"Family Ranidae",33,0.wpf,g,0
\B(rah'-nid-ee: \I"Rana\i-family", after a cosmopolitan genus of frogs)\b
The family Ranidae has an essentially Old World distribution, although one genus, \IRana,\i is represented in the Americas and Asia. The family is widely distributed in the Australian region, reaching its greatest local diversity in the Solomon Islands, where some \Pspecies\p inhabit the edges of rivers. Others live on the forest floor and a few are arboreal. Only one genus, \IRana,\i occurs in Australia and the single \Pspecies\p is a relatively recent entry into the continent from New Guinea.
#
"Genus Rana",34,0.wpf,g,0
\B(rah'-nah: "frog")\b
Because of its worldwide distribution and its abundance, \IRana\i has been studied in laboratories more than any other genus, and has been equally popular as a captive \Pspecies\p. But one of its most significant attributes is the palatability of its hindlegs, and it is almost the only genus desired for restaurants.
The worldwide demand for \IRana\i \Pspecies\p as food has resulted in trade in many tonnes each year, such that India and Bangladesh recently banned further exports from their countries because of the ecological imbalance being created by the extensive culling of natural populations. The frogs had previously played a significant role in the control of insect pests of crops, and with their removal, insect pests began to flourish.
\IRana\i \Pspecies\p tend to have elongate bodies and a pointed triangular head. The feet have extensive webbing and the frogs are powerful swimmers. The male vocal sac is unusual, being commonly paired, extending as an inflatable bag on each side behind the angle of the jaws.
#
"Family Bufonidae",35,0.wpf,g,0
\B(bue-fon'-id-ee: "\IBufo\i-family", after a genus of toads)\b
The family Bufonidae is one of the major elements of the frog fauna of the world. Its absence from Australia reflects the fact that bufonids diverged and colonised new areas during a period when the Australian continent was drifting northwards in isolation from other land masses.
#
"Genus Bufo",36,0.wpf,g,0
\B(bu'e-foh: "toad")\b
The natural distribution of \IBufo\i is throughout the world but for Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. The latest census recorded a total of 206 \Pspecies\p.
\IBufo\i is the archetypical toad characterised by its warty, dry skin, ponderous gait and parotoid glands containing poisonous secretions. One \IBufo\i \Pspecies\p holds the longevity record amongst anurans: 42 years.
\IBufo\i is a genus closely associated with humans, probably because of its minimal response to their presence. As an animal that devours insect pests, it has been viewed as the gardener's friend, but for centuries it has also been associated with witchcraft.
