Phyllomedusa

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Phyllomedusa
Waxy Monkey Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa sauvagii)
Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Lissamphibia Order: Anura Family: Hylidae Subfamily: Phyllomedusinae Genus: Phyllomedusa Wagler, 1830
Species
See text.

Phyllomedusa is a genus of tree frog from Central and South America. It ranges from Costa Rica southward to Argentina. It has around thirty species.

Some Phyllomedusa species produce a waxy secretion that reduces the evaporative water loss of their bodies, thus keeping them from drying out. Some indigenous groups from South America use the secretions of Phyllomedusa bicolor also called Giant Leaf Frog, in shamanic hunting practices. The substance is said to intoxicate the indians who ingest it, causing them improve temporarily their sensorial capacities.

[edit] Scientific classification

• Family Hylidae
  • Genus Phyllomedusa
    • Phyllomedusa araguari
    • Phyllomedusa atelopoides
    • Phyllomedusa ayeaye
    • Phyllomedusa bahiana
    • Phyllomedusa baltea
    • Phyllomedusa bicolor, Giant Leaf Frog
    • Phyllomedusa boliviana
    • Phyllomedusa buckleyi
    • Phyllomedusa burmeisteri, Burmeister's Leaf Frog
    • Phyllomedusa centralis
    • Phyllomedusa coelestis
    • Phyllomedusa danieli
    • Phyllomedusa distincta
    • Phyllomedusa duellmani
    • Phyllomedusa ecuatoriana
    • Phyllomedusa hulli
    • Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis hypochondrialis, Northern Orange-Legged Leaf Frog
    • Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis azureum, Southern Orange-Legged Leaf Frog
    • Phyllomedusa iheringii
    • Phyllomedusa itacolomi
    • Phyllomedusa lemur, Slender Leaf Frog
    • Phyllomedusa medinai
    • Phyllomedusa neildi
    • Phyllomedusa nordestina
    • Phyllomedusa oreades
    • Phyllomedusa palliata
    • Phyllomedusa perinesos
    • Phyllomedusa psilopygion
    • Phyllomedusa rohdei
    • Phyllomedusa sauvagii, Waxy Monkey Leaf Frog
    • Phyllomedusa tarsius, Tarsier Leaf Frog
    • Phyllomedusa tetraploidea
    • Phyllomedusa tomopterna, Barred Leaf Frog
    • Phyllomedusa trinitatis
    • Phyllomedusa vaillantii
    • Phyllomedusa venusta

Reproduction: In this genus of treefrogs, eggs are deposited on a leaf surface, interspersed with hydrating jelly capsules. During the mating process, the frogs fold the leaf around theeir batch of eggs using their limbs, with a jelly plug at the bottom of the folded leaf to prevent eggs from falling out. At hatching, the jelly plug is liquified, and the tadpoles drop through the previously plugged hole. These nests are made aboe water, so when this occurs the tadpoles drop into a suitable habitat, where the begin their lives as filter feeders.

[edit] See also

• Dermaseptins from frog species Phyllomedusa oreades and P. distincta. Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity without cytotoxicity to mammalian cells.[1]

[edit] External links

• Phyllomedusa Gallery with some infos
• Use of the Phyllomedusa bicolor venom as a vaccine by the Matses Indians, with pharmacological info