Rhinodermatidae

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Darwin's Frogs
Darwin's Frog (Rhinoderma darwinii)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Rhinodermatidae Genus: Rhinoderma
Distribution of Rhinodermatidae (in black)
Species
R. darwinii R. rufum

Darwin's frogs or Rhinodermatidae are a family of small frogs found on the south-west coast of South America. There is only one genus (Rhinoderma), with just two species, of which the Chile Darwin's Frog (R. rufum) is highly endangered or may already be extinct. The better known Darwin's Frog (R. darwinii) is vulnerable.

Both species are notable for their unusual breeding, with the tadpoles being raised inside the mouth of the male. The eggs are laid on the ground. The male frog will transport the tadpoles into its enlarged vocal sac. In the Chile Darwin's Frog, the tadpoles are transported to a water source and released for the duration of their development. In Darwin's Frog, they will reside in the vocal sac until metamorphosis. They may carry between 5 and 15 offspring. Darwin's frogs are separated into a separate family based purely upon this behavioural adaptation, which is unique among frogs.

Darwin's frogs are small, reaching a size of 30 millimetres in length. They are predominantly green frogs, with patches of brown, and have a long, narrow nose. They are primarily terrestrial.

[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. 
• ADW: Rhinodermatidae: Information. Retrieved on 2006-05-08.

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