Glyphoglossus molossus | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Microhylidae |
Genus: | Glyphoglossus |
Species: | G. molossus |
Binomial name | |
Glyphoglossus molossus Günther, 1868 | |
Glyphoglossus molossus is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. [2] Its common names include blunt-headed burrowing frog and balloon frog. [1]
Glyphoglossus molossus is found in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical seasonal forests, moist savanna, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, temporary ponds, and heavily degraded former forest. [1]
This section may be too technical for most readers to understand.(August 2022) |
These large, burrowing frogs follow the general theme of microhylids that deposit aquatic eggs over and over. There is explosive breeding activity in ephemeral water sources such as ponds and ditches. The frogs perform multiple symplectic dips to oviposit the surface films of pigmented eggs. A portion of a clutch is released with each dip, with a dip lasting for about 6 seconds. 200–300 eggs are released per dip. The ova have a dark black animal pole and a yellow vegetal pole. [3] Tadpoles feed by filtering suspended material in the water column. [4]
Glyphoglossus molossus is threatened by over-harvesting (see below) and habitat loss. [1]
In certain areas, this frog is collected in large numbers as food during the breeding season. [4]
The balloon frog is very popular as a food item in Thailand, where it has been traditionally considered a delicacy in Thai cuisine, the frog's texture and taste reputedly being so exquisite that it can be eaten whole. [5] Natural populations of this amphibian, however, have been severely depleted in most areas of the country owing to overcatching. Currently, projects are undertaken to breed and release these frogs into their natural habitat. The first place where breeding was undertaken at Phayao Inland Fisheries Research and Development Center in 2009. [6] Later breeding was undertaken at Lamphun Inland Fisheries and Development Center in 2011. [7]
The Microhylidae, commonly known as narrow-mouthed frogs, are a geographically widespread family of frogs. The 683 species are in 57 genera and 11 subfamilies.
The Scaphiopodidae are a family of American spadefoot toads, which are native to North America. The family is small, comprising only eleven different species.
The banded bullfrog is a species of frog in the narrow-mouthed frog family Microhylidae. Native to Southeast Asia, it is also known as the Asian painted frog, digging frog, Malaysian bullfrog, common Asian frog, and painted balloon frog. In the pet trade, it is sometimes called the chubby frog. Adults measure 5.4 to 7.5 cm and have a dark brown back with stripes that vary from copper-brown to salmon pink.
Synapturanus is a genus of microhylid frogs. They are found in northern South America. Common name disc frogs has been coined for the genus. Because of their fossorial life style, their natural history is poorly known.
The plains spadefoot toad is a species of American spadefoot toad which ranges from southwestern Canada, throughout the Great Plains of the western United States, and into northern Mexico. Like other species of spadefoot toads, they get their name from a spade-like projection on their hind legs which allows them to dig into sandy soils. Their name, in part, comes from their keratinized metatarsals, which are wide instead of "sickle shaped". The species name translates as buzzing leaf shaped. This refers to the species' distinguishing features; its buzzing mating call, and its leaf-shaped digging metatarsals. It was first described by Cope in 1863.
Scaphiopus holbrookii, commonly known as the eastern spadefoot, is a species of American spadefoot toad endemic to the eastern United States. It is not considered a true toad, with Bufonidae being the family of "true toads".
Scaphiophryne gottlebei, commonly known as the Malagasy rainbow frog, ornate hopper, rainbow burrowing frog, red rain frog or Gottlebe's narrow-mouthed frog, is one of the most highly decorated frogs from Madagascar. The primary threats to this endangered species are habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
The desert spadefoot toad is a species of frog in the family Limnodynastidae. It is endemic to Australia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, intermittent freshwater marshes, hot deserts, and temperate desert.
Hamptophryne alios is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is known from three localities in the southwestern Amazon Basin of Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. This species used to constitute the monotypic genus Altigius, but molecular phylogenetic analyses have shown it to be close relative of the then-monotypic Hamptophryne, and the two genera have been merged.
Glyphoglossus brooksii is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to Borneo and found in Kalimantan (Indonesia) and Sarawak (Malaysia). Its common names are Brooks' squat frog and Brooks' burrowing frog. It is named after Mr. Cecil J. Brooks who collected the holotype "in a hole whilst prospecting" in Bidi, Sarawak.
Glyphoglossus guttulatus, also known as Burmese squat frog, blotched burrowing frog, orange burrowing frog, or striped spadefoot frog, is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is found in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It is uncertain whether it is present in the Peninsular Malaysia.
Glyphoglossus smithi, also known as Smith's squat frog or Smith's burrowing frog, is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. However, it is likely to occur more widely than currently known and be present in Brunei and Indonesia. The specific name smithi honours Dr Harrison Willard Smith, an American scientist who collected the holotype from the Limbang River district.
Chiasmocleis ventrimaculata, also known as the dotted humming frog, is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, swamps, and intermittent freshwater marshes.
Glyphoglossus is a genus of frogs in the family Microhylidae. The genus occurs in Southeastern Asia. Common name balloon frogs has been coined for it, whereas the common name squat frogs refers to the Calluella species that are now included in this genus. They are fossorial frogs that spend only limited time on the soil surface and are typically known from only few specimens.
Uperodon nagaoi, also known as the Nagao's pug-snout frog or Nagao's globular frog, is a species of frogs in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka and is known from the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Western Provinces. The specific name nagaoi honours Eijiro Nagao, president of Marusan Securities who, through the Nagao Environmental Foundation, has supported research on Sri Lankan amphibians.
Scaphiophryne marmorata is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is commonly known as the green burrowing frog and the marbled rain frog. It is endemic to Madagascar. It is classified as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN as it is threatened by habitat loss.
The Great Basin spadefoot is an amphibian in the family Scaphiopodidae. It is 3.8 to 6.3 centimetres long and is usually colored gray, olive or brown. Great Basin spadefoot toads have adapted to life in dry habitats. They use the hard, keratinized spade on each foot to dig a burrow, where they spend long periods during cold and dry weather. They are opportunistic hunters and will eat anything they can subdue. While their tadpoles have numerous predators, adults are able to produce skin secretions that deter enemies.
Gracixalus lumarius, also known as the thorny tree frog or thorny bushfrog, is a species of rhacophorid frog. It is endemic to Vietnam and first known from Mount Ngoc Linh in Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Kon Tum Province. It has been observed between 1700 and 2160 meters above sea level.
Limnonectes larvaepartus is a species of fanged frog in the family Dicroglossidae endemic to northern and western Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is unique in that it has internal fertilization and gives live birth to tadpoles. Other frog species that have live birth produce froglets.
Kalophrynus yongi is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae, also known as the Cameron Highland sticky frog. It is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia and is only known from its type locality near the top of Gunung Brinchang, in the Cameron Highlands, Pahang state. The specific name yongi honours Dr. Yong Hoi-Sen, a zoologist from the University of Malaya.