Amphibian Taxonomy

Amphibian Basics

• Ectothermic vertebrates• 3 Chambered heart• Glandular Skin• Cryptic• Scaleless

Metamorphosis• Aquatic to land• Primary Changes: -Legs -Lungs -Eyes

-Tail (anurans) -Skin

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/art/tadpole-to-frog.gif

Metamorphosis Exceptions

• Environmental stress induction• Terrestrial egg metamorphosis

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356774,00.html

Timeline for Metamorphosis

• Weeks to years• Species and environment dependent

Taxonomy-Three Orders

• Caudata

• Anura

• Gymnophiona

Order Differences

• Limbs• Tails• Vision• Fertilization

Salamander vs. Lizard

• Water requirements• Skin• Eggs & young

AMPHIBIAN VS. REPTILE

Size-Largest

-Chinese Giant Salamander-up to 180 cm

-Goliath Frog-up to 32 cm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2008

www.sandiegozoo.org

Size-Smallest

Smallest-Thorius sp. - 15 mm. Eleutherodactylus sp.- 10 mm

http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/FROG.htmhttp://www.state.tn.us/twra/tamp/salamanders.htm

Owning an amphibian

• Life Span: up to 55 years!

• Aggressive vs. Friendly

http://www.maroochy.qld.gov.au

Owning an amphibian

• Research and Plan!!!!! LIBRARY!!!

• KNOW Natural History

Pet Trade Restrictions

• Within the U.S.: ex. African Clawed Frog• CITES listings -Appendix I= 16 spp. ~Giant Salamanders -Appendix II- 98 spp. ~Dendrobates

www.cites.org

Gymnophiona(caecilians)

• 6 families, 172 species• Pantropic• Not kept as pets

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/415329423_cd21aeb1cb_o.jpg

Yellow-striped caecilian

Aquatic caecilian

Caudata• 10 families, >500 species• N./S. America, Europe, Asia• Common Pets:

-Ambystoma

tigrinum (Tiger Salmander) -Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted Salamander)-Cynops pyrrhogaster (Fire Bellied Newt)

http://michaelcravens.com

HellbenderCryptobranchus alleganiensis

Greater sirenSiren lacertina

Amphiuma

Mudpuppy

Mexican axolotl

Tiger salamander

Waterdog

Lungless salamander

Arboreal salamander

Palm salamander

Ensatina

Red salamander

Anura

• 33 families, >5000 species• Worldwide*• Common Pets/Research: -Xenopus spp. (African clawed frog)

-Rana spp. (Leopard frog) -Dendrobates spp. (Poison arrow frog) -Hylidae family. (Tree frogs)

http://www.johnelkington.com/weblog/african_clawed_frog_500w.jpg

Frog vs. Toad

-Water-Skin-Leg length and power-Predators

http://64.226.23.133/woodycarr/images/toad.jpghttp://www.isd12.org/bhe/

Dwarf frog

Surinam toad

African clawed frog

Asian leaf frog

Harlequin toad

American toad

Houston toad

Marine toad

Asian tree toad

Tomato frog

Malaysian toad

Dendrobates Poison dart frogs

Red-backed poison dart frog

Hylidae - Tree frogs

Green tree frog

Monkey frog

White’s tree frog

Ranidae - Mantellas

American bullfrog

African pyxie frog

Eyelash frog

Tropical Frogs - Surinam horned frog

Ornate horned frog