Anura Reproduction & Characteristics Flashcards
What are the 3 classes of Amplexus
Inguinal (around waist)
Axillary (behind forelimbs)
Cephalic (head)
What is the reproductive mode of Leiopelmatidae?
Internal fretilization
Produce few large eggs under rocks
Larval period 1-5years
What is the reproductive mode of Rhinophrynidae?
Explosive breeders - lay eggs in temporary pools
Tadpoles exhibit schooling behavior
What is the reproductive mode of Scaphiopodidae?
Explosive breeders, breed in ephemeral ponds
Rapid development in arid areas - 8 days from egg-laying to metamorphosis
What is the reproductive mode of Leptodactylidae and Branchyceohalidae?
Reproductive mode varied:
•Aquatic or terrestrial eggs
• Foam nest on ground or water
•Direct development (egg to adult)
• Internal fertilization
• Viviparous
What is the reproductive mode of Bufonidae?
Reproductive mode varied:
•Oviparity
•Direct Development
•Viviparous
• Eggs - deposited as long strings in ponds/streams
•Others - leaf axil
Tadpoles in torrential streams - sucker on belly (used to attach to substrate)
What is the reproductive mode of Hylidae?
Reproductive mode varied:
• Axially amplexus
•Eggs - mostly laid in water
•Aquatic feeding tadpoles
•Arboreal - eggs laid on vegetation over pools/streams then hatching tadpoles drop to water and complete development
In some eggs, tadpoles, or young are carried on back of females in specialized pouches on dorsum. Pouches are induced by estrogen in females at sexual maturity (permeant structures).
•After fertilization, eggs maneuver by female into pouches using hind limbs
What is the reproductive mode of Microhylidae?
Explosive breeders
Direct development
Most lay eggs in ponds, free swimming and feeding tadpoles
Others lay eggs in trees
An instance of males guarding clutches
•Males transport eggs and froglets on back, only known case of male transport in anurans
•Some construct underground nest chamber and lay eggs
•Non- feeding tadpoles complete metamorphosis inside chamber
•One group facultative commensal association with tarantula using their burrows
What is the reproductive mode of Ranidae?
Reproductive mode varied:
Most lay eggs in water, feeding tadpoles
Swift mountain stream tadpoles - suctorial disc on belly
Direct development
What are some characteristics of Leiopelmatidae?
•9 presacral vertebrae
• Intromittant organ “tail” that is an extension of the cloaca used for copulation and is inserted into female during amplexus
• Do not call
What are some characteristics of Rhinophrynidae?
• Robust body
•Limbs short and strong
•Well-developed spade on foot
• Head pointed
•Eyes small
What are some characteristics of Scaphiopodidae?
• Karatinous, spade like tubercle on hind feet used for burrowing
•Geanular skin; parotid glands on dorsum
• Burrowers
What are some characteristics of Bufonidae?
• Bidder’s organ (rudimentary ovary on anterior end of larval male testes
•Persistence in adults - considered a paedomorphic trait
•No teeth
•Cutaneous glands prominent in many species
Antelopes speices has bright aposematic skin color and associated skin toxins TTX
What are some characteristics of Hylidae?
Most do not have macroscopic glands
Most well-developed toe discs
Some skin secretions used in hunting
Several species - lipid glands
What are some characteristics of Microhylidae?
Fossorial - depressed bodies and pointed snouts
Terrestrial or Arboreal - toe discs
