Amphibian Taxonomy

Amphibian Basics Ectothermic vertebrates 3 Chambered heart Glandular Skin Cryptic Scaleless Ectotherm Glandular Skin Don’t drink water Cryptic behavior and secretive Metamorphosis: -4 limbs -The gills are replaced by other respiratory organs, i.e., lungs. -The skin changes and develops glands to avoid dehydration. -The eyes develop eyelids and adapt to vision outside the water. -An eardrum is developed to lock the middle ear. -In frogs and toads, the tail disappears. Well developed olfactory sense Little metabolic control of body temp., body temp from env’tal (air, water, substrate, sun), behavior/physiological adjustments Skin: absorb/lose water passively, respire; contact w/moist substrate, relatively humid air, postural adjust w/moisture gradient 2

Metamorphosis Aquatic to land Primary Changes: -Legs -Lungs -Eyes -Tail (anurans) -Skin Unique to amphibians (separates them from reptiles and fish which they are related to evolutionarily) Larvae (tadpole0 to adult) Grows as larvae, then hindlimb 1st develops Eggs are laid in water.. The intestine shortens to accommodate a carnivorous diet eyes migrate rostrally and dorsally. In frogs the tail is absorbed by the body, There are many deviations from the typical amphibian lifecycle. Some species of salamander do not need to metamorphose to be sexually mature, and will only metamorphose under certain environmental stresses. Many species of frog from the tropics lay their eggs on land, where the tadpoles undergo metamorphosis within the egg. Once they hatch, they are immature copies of the adults, sometimes possessing a tail which is re-absorbed in a couple of days. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/art/tadpole-to-frog.gif

Metamorphosis Exceptions Environmental stress induction Terrestrial egg metamorphosis Hourglass tree frog 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 3 orders Natural hx understanding is important for good husbandry practices: habitat,temp 6

Order Differences Limbs Tails Vision Fertilization Sirens lack hindlimbs 7

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

Owning an amphibian Life Span: up to 55 years! Aggressive vs. Friendly Budgett’s frog, related to horned frog http://www.maroochy.qld.gov.au 11

Owning an amphibian Research and Plan!!!!! LIBRARY!!! KNOW Natural History Review literature about desired species prior to ownership Booklets, hobbyist magazines, animal care staff at zoos/aquaria, local herp society, scientific journals, caution with websites know life span, adult size, handling, feeding, habitat, temperament, daily care needs, space req’ts 12

Pet Trade Restrictions Within the U.S.: ex. African Clawed Frog CITES listings -Appendix I= 16 spp. ~Giant Salamanders -Appendix II- 98 spp. ~Dendrobates Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. www.cites.org

Gymnophiona (caecilians) 6 families, 172 species Pantropic Not kept as pets Gymnophiona-not kept as pets (or as lab animals)-caecilians, pantropic 6 families, 172 species http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/415329423_cd21aeb1cb_o.jpg 14

Yellow-striped caecilian

Aquatic caecilian

Caudata -Ambystoma 10 families, >500 species N./S. America, Europe, Asia Common Pets: -Ambystoma tigrinum (Tiger Salmander) maculatum (Spotted Salamander) -Cynops pyrrhogaster (Fire Bellied Newt) Mole salamander salamanders and sirens, holartic; Ambystoma spp. (mole salamander) 10 families, >500 species http://michaelcravens.com 17

Hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

Greater siren Siren 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) Anura distrubition: frogs and toads, cosmopolitan, except high latitude in Artic and Antartic, & some ocean islands, xenic deserts Xenopus spp. (African clawed frog et. Al)  Rana spp. (leopard frogs)  Dendrobates spp. (poison arrow frogs) poison arrow frogs: brighly coloration = pets  req’ts of each in habitat -2700 species, 21 families http://www.johnelkington.com/weblog/african_clawed_frog_500w.jpg 30

Frog vs. Toad -Water -Skin -Leg length and power -Predators http://www.isd12.org/bhe/ http://64.226.23.133/woodycarr/images/toad.jpg Leopard frog and Giant toad Popular vs. Scientific Use (2 of the families, bufonids (“true toads”) and pelobatids (spadefoot toads) Frogs: Need to live near water Have smooth, moist skin that makes them look “slimy”. Have a narrow body  Have higher, rounder, bulgier eyes Have longer hind legs  Take long high jumps Have many predators Toads: Do not need to live near water to survive Have rough, dry, bumpy skin Have a wider body Have lower, football shaped eyes Have shorter, less powerful hind legs Will run or take small hops rather than jump Do not have many predators. Toad’s skin lets out a bitter taste and smell that burns the eyes and nostrils of its predators, much like a skunk does. -Water -Skin -Leg length and power -Predators 31

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