Rhacophoridae

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Moss Frogs
Owston's Green Tree Frog (Rhacophorus owstoni)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Rhacophoridae Hoffman, 1932
Sub-families
Buergeriinae Rhacophorinae

Rhacophoridae is a family of frog species, also known as Moss Frogs, which occur in tropical regions of Asia and Africa. They are found in Japan, and in Madagascar and in the Congo River Basin and they represent the largest frog group. These frogs have also been spotted throughout the South-Eastern United States. Most of the species are arboreal and this may include reproducing in trees. Mating frogs, while in amplexus, hold onto a branch, and beat their legs to form a foam. The eggs are laid in the foam, and seminal fluid covers them. In some species, this is done in a large group. The foam is laid above a water source, so the tadpoles fall into the water once they hatch.

The species within this family vary in size, from 1.5 to 12 centimetres. As they are mostly arboreal, they have toe discs, and those of the genus Chiromantis have two opposable fingers on each hand. This family also contains the flying frog, for example: Wallace's flying frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus). These frogs have extensive webbing between their hands and feet, allowing them to glide through the air. ^[1]

[edit] References

• Cogger, H.G.; R.G. Zweifel, and D. Kirschner (2004). Encyclopedia of Reptiles & Amphibians Second Edition. Fog City Press. ISBN 1-877019-69-0. 

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