Leptodactylids( Tropical frogs)

Background information
1. All frogs are classified in.. Kingdom: Anamalia;phylum: chordata; class: amphibia; order: anura; superfamily: hyloidea.
2. There are five subfamilies; Ceratophryinae, cycloramphinae, eleutherodactylinae, leptodactylinae, and telmatobiinae.
  1. Subfamily Eleutherodactylus is the largest vertibrate genus, with over 700 species.
3. Characteristics
  1. -Some species have small pads on their toes that help them climb trees, aiding them in escaping prey or catching food
  2. -Most species of Leptodactylids are grey, green or brown and blend in with the background
    1. Smokey jungle frog(Leptodactylus pentadactylus)
  3. -Some are bright colored. It is thought that the bright colours are used to trick prey into thinking that it is actually a species of the poisonous dart frog, which prey will not go near
    1. Black jungle frog(Leptodactylus melanotus)
Current status
1. There are more than 900 leptodactylid species which are distributed throught Mexico, The caribbean, and central and south America
2. This group of frogs mostly inhibit rainforests, and other warm moist forests and other tropical areas
3. leptodactylids resemble true frogs, but lack webbing on their feet. unlike other frogs, these frogs also have a variety of reproduction modes such as laying eggs in a frothy mass until the young is washed into a pool by rain.
Threats
1. Though most frog species from the leptodactylid family have stable numbers, some are in great danger of extinction.
  1. Frogs critically in danger:
    1. leptodactylus fallax
    2. Leptodactylus magistris
    3. Leptodactylus silvanimbus
    4. Leptodactylus turimiquensis
2. Primary causes of extinction and decrease in species:
  1. Loss of habitat
  2. Climate change
  3. Infectious diseases called chytridiomycosis which is caused by the chydrid fungus. It coats the frog's pores, making the skin non-functional. This is spread by humans.
  4. Road mortality
  5. Over-harvesting for pet and food trades
3. If threats are not reduced or not stopped, scientist predict that these species will go extinct because frogs are one of the most endangered species.
Actions individuals can take part in
1. Fundraisers such a save the frogs provide ways to save the fastest growing species and use donations given to them to help prevent extinction.
2. -Reduction of pesticide use. Pesticides end up in waterways where frog species such as leptodatylids live, and due to their permeable skin, pesticided are absorbed through the skin.
3. -The import/ export of endangered frogs is being controlled to prevent frog consumption by humans and the spread of chytridiomycosis.
4. - Reduction of frog dissection to prevent diseases spreading and reduction in frog species. Rather virtual frog dissections such as digital frog 2.5 is recommended.
5. The above action plans are great ways to reduce frog extinction. Reducing things such as frog dissections will greatly impact the numbers of frogs because it is done so often in school around the world. I personally can donate to the save the frogs foundation to contribute, and so can many other individuals.
Role
1. Frogs from the leptodactylus species are often used by humans for food, pets, and even dissection for scientific study.
2. -Eat ticks and flies that carry diseases such as malaria
3. -Tadpoles eat algae and act like a natural filtration system
4. -Serve as food to many birds, fish and reptiles
5. -permeable skin absorb chemicals and pollutants, which give humans an early response system that tell us when something is wrong with the environment

Next up

Leptodactylids( Tropical frogs)

Description

Resource summary

Media attachments

Similar

	Created by Lucy Ofori about 9 years ago