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Christina Miller
Last update: Monday, January 7, 2008 |
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Distribution of Bufonidae |
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Amphibia
Subclass: Lissamphibia
Order: Anura
Suborder: Neobatrachia
Superfamily: Bufonoidea
Family: Bufonidae
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Bufonidae, with over 370
species, contains memorable backyard species as well as the exotic, colourful harlequin frogs. They live on all continents except Antarctica, and Australia is host to the introduced Bufo marinus or cane toad, a pest species. They may be
nocturnal or
diurnal, and while most species are
terrestrial, there are a few
arboreal and
aquatic species. Toads crawl or hop to get around (with the exception of a few running species), but their slow-moving habits are protected by toxins secreted from the parotoid glands (and in larger species, glands on their hind legs as well). Because true toads have skin that is slightly better at retaining moisture than most other
amphibians, they can be found in relatively drier habitats than their relatives.
There are no subfamilies of Bufonidae, but 33 genera.
The typical bufonid is brown, but there are brightly-coloured green, yellow and red species, as well. The true toads have stocky, robust bodies and warty skin, but harlequin frogs are smooth-skinned and slender. The pupil is horizontally elliptical.
Bufonids have the unique Bidder's organ, a rudimentary ovary that develops at the anterior end of the testes in male larvae, that may remain through maturity (although the presence of the Bidder's organ in an adult male is considered a paedomorphic trait). This family also lacks teeth.
Further Information:
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Sources:
- "AmphibiaWeb." 2008. The Regents of the University of California. (http://amphibiaweb.org/)
- Halliday, T and K Adler. 2002. Firefly Encylopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books, Ltd.
- Livingunderworld.org | Amphibian Information Resource. 2005. JJ Miller. <http://www.livingunderworld.org/>
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