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Where does the word Amphibian come from?

From the Latin amphibia, meaning to live a double life.

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Frogs, Toads, and Hellbenders! Oh my!

Amphibians

Class Amphibia

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Amphibians are tetrapods. What in the world does that mean?

    • Four limbs with feet and toes.

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There are two lineages of ancient amphibians. What are they?

    • Modern amphibians
    • Other resulted in amniote vertebrates

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Order Caudata

  • Salamanders and newts
  • Long tail, two pairs of limbs
  • 115 to 350 described species of salamanders
  • Giant salamander (Japan) can get up to 1.5 meters long

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Order Apoda

  • Contains the caecilians
  • Described about 160 species
  • Wormlike burrowers that feed on worms
  • Appear segmented because of folds in skin
  • Nearly blind
  • Internal fertilization

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Order Anura

  • Frogs and toads are in this group
  • Adults lack tails
  • About 4000 different species
  • Frog v. Toad, eh?

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American Bullfrog

Rana catesbeiana

  • Deep bull-like call to defend territory/attract mates
  • Large (up to 8 in.) frogs used for froglegs
  • Dorsal-lateral folds wrap around tympanic membrane
  • Can be various shades of brown and green

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Green Frog

Rana clamitans

  • Call sounds like a plucked banjo string
  • Medium frog: 2.0-4.0 inches long
  • Very similar to bullfrog, but dorsolateral folds run length of body
  • Males have a tympanic membrane larger than eye

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Northern Leopard Frog

Rana pipiens

  • Call is series of taps, followed by a sound similar to someone rubbing a balloon
  • Medium size frog (up to 4.3 in.)
  • Dorsal-lateral folds are lighter and run the body length
  • Popular frogs for dissection

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Spring Peeper

Pseudacris crucifer

  • High-pitched “PEEP” for a call
  • Small frog, from 1.0 – 1.5 inches
  • Tan/brown body with a dorsal pattern forming an “X”
  • One of the first to emerge along with the wood frog

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Gray Tree Frog

Hyla versicolor

  • Call is a short trill
  • Small frog, from 1.5 – 2.0 inches
  • Skin color ranging from light gray, blacks, greens
  • Distinct yellow skin on hind legs

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American Toad

Bufo americanus

  • High-pitched, long trill for a call (cell phone ringing)
  • Medium toad, ranging from 2.0 – 4.4 inches
  • Tan/brown spotted, warted body
  • Tadpoles avoid predation by producing a skin toxin

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Wood Frog

Rana sylvatica

  • Call is similar to a duck’s “quack”
  • Adults range from 2 – 2.8 inches long
  • Brown body with dark eye mask
  • One of the first amphibians to emerge in the spring

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