Opisthodon

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Opisthodon
The Ornate Burrowing Frog (Opisthodon ornatus)
The Ornate Burrowing Frog (Opisthodon ornatus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Myobatrachidae
Subfamily: Limnodynastinae
Genus: Opisthodon
Steindachner, 1867
Distribution of Opisthodon
Distribution of Opisthodon
Species

See text

Opisthodon is a small genus of Limnodynastine frogs with only two species. Until a major revision in 2006 these two species were classified in the genus Limnodynastes but were removed to this resurrected genus to render monophyletic genera [1].

Both species are terrestrial and burrowing, spend much times under ground, particularly during drier periods. They inhabit a range of environments from arid areas to wet forest. Breeding occurs after rain, and males call from temporary or permanent water.

The species in this genus are quite similar physically to many frogs in Limnodynastes, they also share many of the same habits of that genus including: burrowing, a "tok" like call and foamy egg nest (which in Opisthodon breaks down after a few hours).

[edit] Species

Common name Binomial name
Ornate Burrowing Frog Opisthodon ornatus (Gray, 1842)
Spencer’s Burrowing Frog Opisthodon spenceri (Parker, 1940)
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