Tomato frog

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iTomato frog
Tomato Frog, D. antongilii
Tomato Frog, D. antongilii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Microhylidae
Genus: Dyscophusa
Species

See text.

The Tomato frog is any one of the three species of genus Dyscophusa ( family Microhylidae): D. antongilii, D. insularis, D. guineti. The common name comes from the frog's bright red color. When threatened, the tomato frog inflates its body. If the predator grabs the tomato frog in its mouth, the frogs skin secretes a thick, whitish substance that gums up the predators teeth and mouth, causing the predator to release the frog to free up its mouth. The gummy substance clears out of the predators mouth after several days; it contains a toxin that occasionally causes allergic reaction in humans.

[edit] Species

  • D. antongilli, Madagascar tomato frog, found in Madagascar and threatened due to habitat destruction.
  • D. insularis, Tomato Frog.
  • D. guineti, False Tomato Frog.

[edit] External links

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