Phyllomedusa

Phyllomedusa
Waxy monkey leaf frog (Phyllomedusa sauvagii)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Phyllomedusidae
Genus: Phyllomedusa
Wagler, 1830
Species

See text

Phyllomedusa is a genus of tree frogs in the family Phyllomedusidae. These frogs live in tropical and subtropical South America and Panama. There are 16 species in this genus.[1]

Secretion

Some Phyllomedusa frogs make a waxy substance that stops water from leaving their bodies through their skins. If the frogs begin to dry out, they spread the waxy substance over their skin.[2]

Reproduction

These frogs put their eggs on leaves above water. They put jelly next to the eggs. Then the frogs fold the leaves around the eggs with their legs. The jelly acts as a plug so the eggs do not fall out. When the tadpoles hatch, the jelly turns to liquid and the tadpoles fall through into the water below.

Scientific classification

Phyllomedusa tetraploidea
Phyllomedusa venusta

Most of these species are in Phyllomedusa,[1] but some scientists say some of these frogs should be in Pithecopus instead.

Scientists used to put some other frogs in Phyllomedusa, but now they put them in other phyllomedusid genera: Callimedusa and Pithecopus.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Search for Taxon: Phyllomedusa". Amphibian Species of the World, an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History, New York. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  2. ↑ Caldwell, Janalee P. (1999). "Animal adaptations". In Mares, Michael A. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Deserts. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 24–27. ISBN 9780806131467.

Further reading

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