Rana (genus)
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Many, see text |
Rana is a genus of frogs. Species include such archetypal pond frogs as the Common Frog of Europe, and the New World true frogs. Members of this genus are found through much of Eurasia, North America, Central America, and the northern half of South America.
These true frogs are usually largish species characterized by their slim waists and wrinkled skin; many have thin ridges running along their backs but they generally lack "warts" like in typical toads. They are excellent jumpers due to their long slender legs. The typical webbing found on their hind feet allows for easy movement through water. Coloration is mostly greens and browns above, with darker and yellowish spots.
Many frogs in this genus breed in early spring, although subtropical and tropical species may breed throughout the year. Males of most of the species are known to call, but a few species are thought to be voiceless. Females lay eggs in rafts or large globular clusters and can produce up to 20,000 at one time.
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[edit] Systematics
There are now about 92 species placed in this genus (see list below); many other species formerly placed in Rana are now placed in other genera, such as Pelophylax. Rana is now restricted to to the New World ranids and the Eurasian species of the Rana temporaria group.[1][2] New species are still being described in some numbers.
[edit] Recognized Species
[edit] Footnotes
[edit] References
- Dubois, A. & A. Ohler, A. (1995) Frogs of the subgenus Pelophylax (Amphibia, Anura, genus Rana): a catalogue of available and valid scientific names, with comments on the name-bearing types, complete synonymies. proposed common names, and maps showing all type localities. In: Ogielska, M. (ed.): II International Symposium on Ecology and Genetics of European water frogs, 18-25 September 1994, Wroclaw, Poland. Zoologica Poloniae 39(3-4): 139-204
- Frost, Darrel R. (2006): Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 4, 2006-AUG-17.
- Hillis, D.M. & Wilcox, T.P. (2005): Phylogeny of the New World true frogs (Rana). Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 34(2): 299–314. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2004.10.007 PDF fulltext.
- Hillis, D. M. (2007) Constraints in naming parts of the Tree of Life. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 42: 331–338.
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