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Introduction

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Selected amphibian type

European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), a member of the family Bombinatoridae

Toad is a common name for certain frogs, especially of the family Bufonidae, that are characterized by dry, leathery skin, short legs, and large bumps covering the parotoid glands.

A distinction between frogs and toads is made in scientific taxonomy (see below). In popular culture (folk taxonomy), toads are associated with drier, rougher skin and more terrestrial habitats. (Full article...)

Selected frog article

Heterixalus alboguttatus

The Hyperoliidae, or sedge frogs and bush frogs, are a large family of small to medium-sized, brightly colored frogs which contain more than 250 species in 19 genera. Seventeen genera are native to sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, the monotypic genus Tachycnemis occurs on the Seychelles Islands, and the genus Heterixalus (currently 10 species) is endemic to Madagascar.

Hyperoliids range from 1.5 to 8 cm (0.59 to 3.15 in) in body length. Many species have smooth, brightly patterned skin that almost looks enameled.

Most hyperoliids are arboreal, but some are terrestrial, including several Kassina species that move by walking or running rather than hopping. Diets vary widely, with examples including Paracassina, which specializes in snails, and Afrixalus fornasini, the only terrestrial frog known to prey on eggs of other species of anurans. (Full article...)

Selected salamander article

Sexual selection in amphibians involves sexual selection processes in amphibians, including frogs, salamanders and newts. Prolonged breeders, the majority of frog species, have breeding seasons at regular intervals where male-male competition occurs with males arriving at the waters edge first in large number and producing a wide range of vocalizations, with variations in depth of calls the speed of calls and other complex behaviours to attract mates. The fittest males will have the deepest croaks and the best territories, with females making their mate choices at least partly based on the males depth of croaking. This has led to sexual dimorphism, with females being larger than males in 90% of species, males in 10% and males fighting for groups of females.

There is a direct competition between males to win the attention of the females in salamanders and newts, with elaborate courtship displays to keep the females attention long enough to get her interested in choosing him to mate with. Some species store sperm through long breeding seasons, as the extra time may allow for interactions with rival sperm. (Full article...)

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Picture slideshow

Image 1Frogs
Image 2Spanish painted frog
Image 3Agile frog
Image 4Leaf green tree frog
Image 5Fire salamander
Image 6Atelopus certus
Image 7Marsh frog
Image 8Agalychnis callidryas
Image 9Panamanian golden frog
Image 10White-lipped tree frog
Image 11Litoria chloris
Image 12Eastern newt
Image 13Limnodynastes dumerilii
Image 14Fire salamander
Image 15Golden toad
Image 16Phantasmal poison frog
Image 17Blue poison dart frog
Image 18Emerald-eyed tree frog
Image 19Epirus water frog
Image 20Duttaphrynus melanostictus
Image 21Balearic green toad
Image 22Fire-bellied toad
Image 23Ecnomiohyla rabborum
Image 24Edible Frog
Image 25Albanian water frog
Image 26Poison dart frog
Image 27Dendropsophus microcephalus
Image 28American toad
Image 29Limosa harlequin frog
Image 30Male Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris aka Triturus vulgaris) during breeding season in the Netherlands.
Image 31Common toads during amplexus
Image 32Iberian midwife toad
Image 33Italian tree frog
Image 34Magnificent tree frog
Image 35Surprise, its an amphibian. This is a genus of South American Caecilians, blind and snake-like, which hunt through leaf litter. Photo from Wildsumaco Reserve, Ecuador.
Image 36Lithobates clamitans
Image 37New England tree frog
Image 38Southern Brown tree frog
Image 39Fire salamander
Image 40Blue Mountains tree frog
Image 41Common frog

Selected toad article

Gestating female

Nimbaphrynoides is a monotypic genus of true toads from highlands in the Mount Nimba region of the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Côte d'Ivoire. The sole species is Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis. Along with Nectophrynoides, Eleutherodactylus jasperi, and Limnonectes larvaepartus, Nimbaphrynoides is one of the only anurans that combine internal fertilization with ovoviviparity. (Full article...)

Selected caecilian article

Potamotyphlus kaupii (also known as Kaup's caecilian) is a species of amphibian in the family Typhlonectidae. It is monotypic within the genus Potamotyphlus. It is found widely in the Amazon Basin and the Guianas in South America, and is known to occur in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and possibly Bolivia. It is an entirely aquatic species and typically ranges between 30 and 60 cm (12–24 in) in length.

Their most common causes of death are dermatitis and skin lesions. The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, can also threaten them, as it does to many other amphibian biodiversity all over the world. (Full article...)