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The Amphibian Portal

Amphibians are ectothermic, anamniotic, four-limbed vertebrate animals that constitute the class Amphibia. In its broadest sense, it is a paraphyletic group encompassing all tetrapods excluding the amniotes (tetrapods with an amniotic membrane, such as modern reptiles, birds and mammals). All extant (living) amphibians belong to the monophyletic subclass Lissamphibia, with three living orders: Anura (frogs and toads), Urodela (salamanders), and Gymnophiona (caecilians). Evolved to be mostly semiaquatic, amphibians have adapted to inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living in freshwater, wetlandorterrestrial ecosystems (such as riparian woodland, fossorial and even arboreal habitats). Their life cycle typically starts out as aquatic larvae with gills known as tadpoles, but some species have developed behavioural adaptations to bypass this.

Young amphibians generally undergo metamorphosis from an aquatic larval form with gills to an air-breathing adult form with lungs. Amphibians use their skin as a secondary respiratory interface and some small terrestrial salamanders and frogs lack lungs and rely entirely on their skin. They are superficially similar to reptiles like lizards, but unlike reptiles and other amniotes, require access to water bodies to breed. With their complex reproductive needs and permeable skins, amphibians are often ecological indicators to habitat conditions; in recent decades there has been a dramatic decline in amphibian populations for many species around the globe.

The earliest amphibians evolved in the Devonian period from tetrapodomorph sarcopterygians (lobe-finned fish with articulated limb-like fins) that evolved primitive lungs, which were helpful in adapting to dry land. They diversified and became ecologically dominant during the Carboniferous and Permian periods, but were later displaced in terrestrial environments by early reptiles and basal synapsids (predecessors of mammals). The origin of modern lissamphibians, which first appeared during the Early Triassic, around 250 million years ago, has long been contentious. The most popular hypothesis is that they likely originated from temnospondyls, the most diverse group of prehistoric amphibians, during the Permian period. Another hypothesis is that they emerged from lepospondys. A fourth group of lissamphibians, the Albanerpetontidae, became extinct around 2 million years ago. (Full article...)

Refresh with new selections below (purge)

Selected frog article

The tailed frogs are two speciesoffrogs in the genus Ascaphus, the only taxon in the family Ascaphidae /æˈskæfɪd/. The "tail" in the name is actually an extension of the male cloaca. The tail is one of two distinctive anatomical features adapting the species to life in fast-flowing streams. These are the only North American frog species that reproduce by internal fertilization. They are among the most primitive known families of frogs.

Its scientific name means 'without a spade', from the privative prefix a- and the Ancient Greek skaphís (σκαφίς, 'spade, shovel'), referring to the metatarsal spade, which these frogs do not have. (Full article...)

List of selected frog articles

  • Mesobatrachia
  • Neobatrachia
  • Alsodidae
  • Alytidae
  • Amietia
  • Amphignathodontidae
  • Aromobatidae
  • Arthroleptidae
  • Batrachylidae
  • Bombinatoridae
  • Brevicipitidae
  • Bufonidae
  • Bufonoidea
  • Calyptocephalellidae
  • Ceratobatrachidae
  • Ceratophryidae
  • Conrauidae
  • Craugastoridae
  • Dicroglossidae
  • Gardiner's Seychelles frog
  • Ghost frog
  • Glass frog
  • Hemiphractidae
  • Hylidae
  • Hylodidae
  • Hyloidea
  • Hyperoliidae
  • Leptodactylidae
  • Mantellidae
  • Megophryidae
  • Microhylidae
  • Myobatrachidae
  • Nyctibatrachidae
  • Odontophrynidae
  • Parsley frog
  • Pelobatoidea
  • Petropedetidae
  • Pipidae
  • Pipimorpha
  • Pipoidea
  • Poison dart frog
  • Poyntonia
  • Ptychadenidae
  • Pyxicephalidae
  • Pyxicephalinae
  • Ranixalidae
  • Ranoidea
  • Rhacophoridae
  • Rhinodermatidae
  • Rhinophrynidae
  • Saddleback toad
  • Scaphiopodidae
  • Seychelles frog
  • Seychelles palm frog
  • Shovelnose frog
  • Sooglossidae
  • Tailed frog
  • True frog
  • True toad
  • Tukeit Hill frog
  • Selected salamander article

    Fossil of the salamander Karaurus sharovi a non-urodelan caudatan from the Middle-Late Jurassic belonging to the family Karauridae

    The Caudata are a group of amphibians containing the extant salamanders (the order Urodela) and all extinct species of amphibians more closely related to salamanders than to frogs. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with slender bodies, blunt snouts, short limbs projecting at right angles to the body, and the presence of a tail in both larvae and adults.

    Disagreement exists between different authorities as to the definition of the terms "Caudata" and "Urodela". Some maintain that Urodela should be restricted to the crown group, with Caudata being used for the total group. Others restrict the name Caudata to the crown group and use Urodela for the total group. The former approach seems to be most widely adopted and is used in this article. (Full article...)

    List of selected salamander articles

  • Cryptobranchoidea
  • Greater siren
  • Salamanders in folklore
  • Salamandroidea
  • Sexual selection in amphibians
  • Sirenidae
  • Urodela
  • Did you know? – show different entries

    A Lehmann's poison frog
    A Lehmann's poison frog
    • ... that Lehmann's poison frog is not toxic in captivity because its poison derives from food it eats only in the wild?
  • ... that the Brazil-nut poison frog (pictured) sometimes places its tadpoles in water-filled capsules that have fallen from the Brazil nut tree?
  • ... that female gregarious slender salamanders often lay their eggs in communal nests?
  • ... that toads found in Egypt around 1909 and identified as Degen's toad are now considered a separate species, the Nile Delta toad?
  • ... that the recently named trematopid temnospondyl Fedexia was named after the shipping service FedEx, which owned the land where the holotype specimen was found?
  • Selected amphibian type

    European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), a member of the family Bombinatoridae

    Toad is a common name for certain frogs, especially of the family Bufonidae, that are characterized by dry, leathery skin, short legs, and large bumps covering the parotoid glands.

    A distinction between frogs and toads is not made in scientific taxonomy, but is common in popular culture (folk taxonomy), in which toads are associated with drier, rougher skin and more terrestrial habitats. (Full article...)

    List of selected amphibian type articles

  • Salamander
  • Caecilian
  • Selected images

    Photograph: Brian Gratwicke

    The Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki) is a rare species of toad endemictoPanama. First described by Emmett Reid Dunn in 1933, this species was found close to mountain streams on the eastern side of the Tabasará mountain range in Coclé and Panamá Provinces, but is now critically endangered and possibly extinct in the wild.

  • Image 2 Albanian water frog Photograph: Benny Trapp The Albanian water frog (Pelophylax shqipericus) is a species of true frog in the family Ranidae. It is native to Albania and Montenegro, where it lives in aquatic environments. The frogs are medium-sized. Males sometimes bear a distinctive bright green stripe down the length of the backbone, but otherwise are green to light brown in overall colouring with large black or dark brown spots. Females are olive green or light brown in colour and also bear brown or black large spots. The species is endangered and known populations are currently in decline. More selected pictures
    Photograph: Benny Trapp

    The Albanian water frog (Pelophylax shqipericus) is a speciesoftrue frog in the family Ranidae. It is native to Albania and Montenegro, where it lives in aquatic environments. The frogs are medium-sized. Males sometimes bear a distinctive bright green stripe down the length of the backbone, but otherwise are green to light brown in overall colouring with large black or dark brown spots. Females are olive green or light brown in colour and also bear brown or black large spots. The species is endangered and known populations are currently in decline.

  • Image 3 Vocal sac Photo: Benny Trapp An Italian tree frog (Hyla intermedia) with an inflated vocal sac. Vocal sacs, flexible membranes of skin possessed by most male frogs, are generally used to amplify mating or advertisement calls. However, some species in the family Rhinodermatidae may also use the sac to store or transport their tadpoles. More selected pictures
    Photo: Benny Trapp

    AnItalian tree frog (Hyla intermedia) with an inflated vocal sac. Vocal sacs, flexible membranes of skin possessed by most male frogs, are generally used to amplify mating or advertisement calls. However, some species in the family Rhinodermatidae may also use the sac to store or transport their tadpoles.

  • Image 4 Common Indian Toad Photo: Lokionly The Common Indian Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) is native to South Asia. It grows to about 20 cm (8 in) long and breeds during monsoon season. These toads are often seen at night under street lamps especially during times when winged termites swarm. They have been noted to feed on a wide range of invertebrates, including scorpions. More selected pictures

    The Common Indian Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) is native to South Asia. It grows to about 20 cm (8 in) long and breeds during monsoon season. These toads are often seen at night under street lamps especially during times when winged termites swarm. They have been noted to feed on a wide range of invertebrates, including scorpions.

  • Image 5 Wallace's flying frog Photograph credit: Rushenb Wallace's flying frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus) is a moss frog found in tropical southeastern Asia. It is named after the British naturalist Alfred R. Wallace, who collected the first known specimen of the species. It lives almost exclusively in trees, and when threatened, or in search of prey, will leap from a branch and splay its four webbed feet; the membranes between its toes and the loose skin flaps on its sides catch the air as it falls, helping it to glide. This individual was photographed in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand. More selected pictures
    Photograph credit: Rushenb

    Wallace's flying frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus) is a moss frog found in tropical southeastern Asia. It is named after the British naturalist Alfred R. Wallace, who collected the first known specimen of the species. It lives almost exclusively in trees, and when threatened, or in search of prey, will leap from a branch and splay its four webbed feet; the membranes between its toes and the loose skin flaps on its sides catch the air as it falls, helping it to glide. This individual was photographed in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand.

  • Image 6 Balearic green toad Photograph: Richard Bartz A female Balearic green toad (Bufo balearicus), a lowland species of toad native to Italy. More selected pictures
    Photograph: Richard Bartz

    A female Balearic green toad (Bufo balearicus), a lowland species of toad native to Italy.

  • Image 7 Dendrobates azureus Photo: Quartl Dendrobates azureus, commonly known as the blue poison dart frog or okopipi, is a poison dart frog found in the forests surrounded by the Sipaliwini Savanna in southern Suriname. Authorities have recently treated it as a variant of Dendrobates tinctorius rather than a distinct species as before. More selected pictures
    Photo: Quartl

    Dendrobates azureus, commonly known as the blue poison dart frog or okopipi, is a poison dart frog found in the forests surrounded by the Sipaliwini Savanna in southern Suriname. Authorities have recently treated it as a variant of Dendrobates tinctorius rather than a distinct species as before.

  • Image 8 Red-eyed Tree Frog Photo credit: Carey James Balboa The Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) is a small-sized tree frog, reaching lengths of about 5 to 7 centimeters (3 inches), native to Neotropical rainforests in Central America. They are not poisonous and rely on camouflage to protect them. During the day, they remain motionless with their colorful parts hidden. Thus, they appear almost completely green, and well hidden among the foliage. More selected pictures
    Photo credit: Carey James Balboa

    The Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) is a small-sized tree frog, reaching lengths of about 5 to 7 centimeters (3 inches), native to Neotropical rainforests in Central America. They are not poisonous and rely on camouflage to protect them. During the day, they remain motionless with their colorful parts hidden. Thus, they appear almost completely green, and well hidden among the foliage.

  • Image 9 Blue Mountains Tree Frog Photo: Benjamint444 The Blue Mountains Tree Frog (Litoria citropa) is a moderate-sized species of tree frog, up to about 60 mm (2.4 in) in length. It is native to coastal and highland areas of eastern Australia, especially in the Blue Mountains, hence its name. More selected pictures

    The Blue Mountains Tree Frog (Litoria citropa) is a moderate-sized species of tree frog, up to about 60 mm (2.4 in) in length. It is native to coastal and highland areas of eastern Australia, especially in the Blue Mountains, hence its name.

  • Image 10 Leaf Green Tree Frog Photo credit: Froggydarb A specimen from the "hybrid zone" of the Leaf Green Tree Frog (Litoria phyllochroa) and the Southern Leaf Green Tree Frog (L. nudidigitus), showing physical characteristics of both species. These small stream-dwelling frogs (averaging only 40mm in length), are native to eastern Australia and occur together south of Sydney. The two species are differentiated only by distribution, call and slight differences in flank markings. More selected pictures
    Photo credit: Froggydarb

    A specimen from the "hybrid zone" of the Leaf Green Tree Frog (Litoria phyllochroa) and the Southern Leaf Green Tree Frog (L. nudidigitus), showing physical characteristics of both species. These small stream-dwelling frogs (averaging only 40mm in length), are native to eastern Australia and occur together south of Sydney. The two species are differentiated only by distribution, call and slight differences in flank markings.

  • Image 11 Eastern Banjo Frog Photo credit: Fir0002 The Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerilli) is native to eastern Australia and has been introduced to New Zealand. The frog is also commonly called the pobblebonk after its distinctive "bonk" call, which is likened to a banjo string being plucked. Adults are roughly seven to eight cm long. More selected pictures
    Photo credit: Fir0002

    The Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerilli) is native to eastern Australia and has been introduced to New Zealand. The frog is also commonly called the pobblebonk after its distinctive "bonk" call, which is likened to a banjo string being plucked. Adults are roughly seven to eight cm long.

  • Image 12 Common toads in amplexus Photo: Bernie Kohl Two common toads (Bufo bufo) in amplexus, a form of pseudocopulation found in amphibians and limulids. A male common toad grasps a female with his front legs as part of the mating process. Common toads stay in amplexus for several days. As the female lays a long, double string of small black eggs, the male fertilises them with his sperm; the gelatinous egg strings, which may contain 3000 to 6000 eggs and be 3 to 4.5 metres (10 to 15 ft) in length, are later tangled in plant stalks. More selected pictures

    Common toads in amplexus

    Photo: Bernie Kohl

    Two common toads (Bufo bufo) in amplexus, a form of pseudocopulation found in amphibians and limulids. A male common toad grasps a female with his front legs as part of the mating process. Common toads stay in amplexus for several days. As the female lays a long, double string of small black eggs, the male fertilises them with his sperm; the gelatinous egg strings, which may contain 3000 to 6000 eggs and be 3 to 4.5 metres (10 to 15 ft) in length, are later tangled in plant stalks.

  • Image 13 Phantasmal poison frog Photograph: H. Krisp The phantasmal poison frog (Epipedobates tricolor) is a species of poison dart frog endemic to Ecuador. First described by George Albert Boulenger in 1899, this endangered species is found only in rainforests on the slopes of the Andes. More selected pictures
    Photograph: H. Krisp

    The phantasmal poison frog (Epipedobates tricolor) is a species of poison dart frog endemictoEcuador. First described by George Albert Boulenger in 1899, this endangered species is found only in rainforests on the slopes of the Andes.

  • Image 14 Southern brown tree frog Photograph: JJ Harrison The southern brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii) is a species of tree frog native to Australia found in a wide range of habitats. Reaching 45 millimetres (1.8 in), this species is generally brown, but green and green-striped morphs are also recorded. More selected pictures

    The southern brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii) is a species of tree frog native to Australia found in a wide range of habitats. Reaching 45 millimetres (1.8 in), this species is generally brown, but green and green-striped morphs are also recorded.

  • Image 15 White's Tree Frog Photo credit: liquidGhoul Native to Australia, White's Tree Frog grows up to 10 centimetres in length and is a popular household pet. In captivity, they have an average lifespan of 16 years. Its skin secretions contain caerins, a group of peptides with antibacterial and antiviral properties. Other peptides have been found to destroy HIV without harming healthy T-cells. More selected pictures
    Photo credit: liquidGhoul

    Native to Australia, White's Tree Frog grows up to 10 centimetres in length and is a popular household pet. In captivity, they have an average lifespan of 16 years. Its skin secretions contain caerins, a group of peptides with antibacterial and antiviral properties. Other peptides have been found to destroy HIV without harming healthy T-cells.

  • Selected toad article

    The arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) is a species of true toads in the family Bufonidae, endemic to California, U.S. and Baja California state, Mexico. It is currently classified as an Endangered species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because of habitat destruction. The arroyo toad is at the intersection of ecological significance and conservation concern. (Full article...)

    List of selected toad articles

  • Bufonidae
  • Adenomus
  • Amietophrynus
  • Amietophrynus regularis
  • Anaxyrus
  • Anaxyrus debilis
  • Ansonia (frog)
  • Ansonia inthanon
  • Atelopus
  • Atelopus varius
  • Bidder's organ
  • Bleeding toad
  • Blythophryne beryet
  • Bufo
  • Cane toad
  • Cane Toads: An Unnatural History
  • Capensibufo
  • Colorado River toad
  • Couch's spadefoot toad
  • Dendrophryniscus
  • European green toad
  • Frostius
  • Golden toad
  • Gulf Coast toad
  • Ingerophrynus
  • Kihansi spray toad
  • Korean water toad
  • Large-crested toad
  • Leptophryne
  • Melanophryniscus
  • Mertensophryne
  • Mertensophryne micranotis
  • Mongolian toad
  • Natterjack toad
  • Nectophryne
  • Nectophrynoides
  • Nectophrynoides wendyae
  • Nimbaphrynoides
  • Oreophrynella
  • Osornophryne
  • Osornophryne puruanta
  • Pedostibes
  • Poyntonophrynus
  • Carchi Andes toad
  • Rhinella
  • Rhinella schneideri
  • Scaphiopus
  • Scaphiopus holbrookii
  • Spea
  • Toad doctors
  • Toadstone
  • Truebella
  • Vandijkophrynus
  • Vision in toads
  • Werneria
  • Wolterstorffina
  • Selected caecilian article

    Caeciliidae is the familyofcommon caecilians. They are found in Central and South America. Like other caecilians, they superficially resemble worms or snakes.

    Although they are the most diverse of the caecilian families, the caeciliids do have a number of features in common that distinguish them from other caecilians. In particular, their skulls have relatively few bones, with those that are present being fused to form a solid ram to aid in burrowing through the soil. The mouth is recessed beneath the snout, and there is no tail.

    Many caeciliids lay their eggs in moist soil. The eggs then hatch into aquatic larvae, which live in seepages in the soil, or in small streams. However, some species lack a larval stage, with the eggs hatching into juveniles with the same form as the adults, or else lack eggs and give birth to live young. (Full article...)

    List of selected caecilian articles

  • Atretochoana
  • Battersby's caecilian
  • Caecilians of the Western Ghats
  • Chikila
  • Chikilidae
  • Chthonerpeton
  • Dermophiidae
  • Dermophis
  • Forest caecilian
  • Fuller's caecilian
  • Ichthyophiidae
  • Indotyphlidae
  • Indotyphlus
  • Indotyphlus maharashtraensis
  • Luetkenotyphlus
  • Nectocaecilia
  • Oscaecilia
  • Potomotyphlus
  • Rhinatrema
  • Rhinatrematidae
  • Schistometopum
  • Scolecomorphidae
  • Siphonopidae
  • Siphonops
  • Typhlonectes
  • Typhlonectidae
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