The following is a list of amphibians found in the state of Arizona. The Arizona tree frog is the state amphibian. [1] The state is home to three salamander species.
Arizona is home to a wide variety of biotic systems as it is diverse topographically, geologically, and climatically. The area's sporadic mountains create "sky islands", wherein varying altitudes create drastically different environments inhabited by specific species. [2] For example, the eastern barking frog is only found at altitudes of 1,280–1,890 m on Arizonan mountains. Although the state is mostly arid, river systems such as the Colorado River provide riparian habitats. [3]
Bufonidae is a family of toads, often called the "true toads". Although a widely varied family, Bufonidae includes the stereotypical toad: dry warty skin and shortened forelimbs and hindlimbs. Bufonids also carry potent skin toxins, sometimes concentrated in the parotoid gland. [4]
Species | Common name | Distribution | Status [a] | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anaxyrus cognatus | Great Plains toad | Found in playa wetlands in Arizona [5] | ||
Anaxyrus debilis | Green toad | Found in southeastern Arizona [7] | ||
Anaxyrus microscaphus | Arizona toad | Found in the Virgin River basin of northwestern Arizona [9] | ||
Anaxyrus punctatus | Red-spotted toad | Abundant in central Arizona [11] | ||
Anaxyrus woodhousii | Woodhouse's toad | Found throughout the state [13] | ||
Hylidae is a family of frogs which are commonly found in the New World. They may be better known as tree frogs. [15]
Species | Common name | Distribution | Status | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dryophytes arenicolor | Canyon tree frog | Inhaits arid environments and streambanks; often found in pools in canyons [16] | ||
Dryophytes wrightorum | Wright's mountain tree frog | Found in the Petran Montane Conifer Forest Biome along the Mogollon Rim [18] | ||
Species | Common name | Distribution | Status | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Craugastor augusti | Eastern barking frog | Found in the Santa Rita, Pajarito, Huachuca, and Quinlan Mountains in southeast Arizona at elevations of 1,280–1,890 m; report of specimen found in Sierra Ancha mountains of central Arizona [19] | ||
Microhylidae is a family of frogs. They can often be identified by their tear-dropped shape, hence the common name "narrow-mouthed frogs". [21]
Species | Common name | Distribution | Status | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gastrophryne olivacea | Great Plains narrowmouth frog | Inhabit south-central Arizona [22] | ||
Ranidae, true frogs, are the largest family of frogs. Members of this family, called Ranids, typically have robust hindlimbs, toe webbing, and an aquatic tadpole stage. [24]
Species | Common name | Distribution | Status | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lithobates berlandieri | Rio Grande leopard frog | Inhabit the Gila River drainage and associated croplands from Phoenix to the Colorado River confluence [25] | ||
Lithobates blairi | Plains leopard frog | An isolated population cluster in southeastern Arizona [27] | ||
Lithobates catesbeianus | Bullfrog | Common in Arizona [29] | ||
Scaphiopodidae are a family of frogs. Commonly called spadefoot frogs, they are often inconspicuously coloured. Members of this family are predominantly fossorial, living underground until rain arrives. To aid in digging, they have keratinized protrusions on their feet. [31]
Species | Common name | Distribution | Status | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spea bombifrons | Plains spadefoot toad | Found in eastern Arizona [32] | ||
Scaphiopus couchii | Couch's spadefoot toad | Central and southeastern portions of the state [34] | ||
Species | Common name | Distribution | Status | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ambystoma mavortium | Barred tiger salamander | Introduced to southern Arizona [36] | ||
Ambystoma rosaceum | Tarahumara salamander | Present in Arizona [38] | ||
Ambystoma tigrinum | Eastern tiger salamander | Distinct subspecies Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi, known as the Sonora tiger Salamander found on southern border [40] | ||
^ a: Conservation status at a world level of the species according to the IUCN Red List: Conservation status - IUCN Red List of Threatened Species:
The red-spotted toad, formerly Bufo punctatus, is a toad in the family Bufonidae found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
The Texas toad is a species of medium-sized toad that occurs in the southern United States and northern Mexico. It breeds in temporary water pools after heavy rains.
The Great Plains toad is a relatively large species of true toad native to central North America.
The spotted chorus frog or Clark's tree frog is a small, nocturnal chorus frog native to the grasslands and prairies of the central United States and Tamaulipas, Mexico.
The multi-coloured tree frog or multi-coloured frog is a species of frog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae. It is endemic to West Papua, Indonesia. It has been observed about 950 meters above sea level. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, swamps, and freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Leptopelis broadleyi is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae of uncertain status. The Amphibian Species of the World, the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, and the African Amphibians do not recognize it, but instead consider it synonym with Leptopelis argenteus. However, the AmphibiaWeb recognizes it as a valid species.
Aubria subsigillata, commonly known as the brown ball frog or the West African brown frog, is a species of frog belonging to the family Pyxicephalidae. It has a discontinuous distribution from southern Guinea through Liberia and Ivory Coast, and from Nigeria to southern Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea to Gabon. However, the species delimitation differs between sources, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has adopted a narrower view where this species only occurs in Cameroon and southward.
Platymantis indeprensus is a species of frogs in the family Ceratobatrachidae.
Platymantis pseudodorsalis is a species of frog in the family Ceratobatrachidae. It is endemic to Mount Banahaw, Philippines. Scientists have only seen it on one mountain between 1350 and 1500 meters above sea level.
Philautus namdaphaensis, the Tirap bubble-nest frog, Namdapha bush frog, or Namdapha shrub frog is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in India and possibly Myanmar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The mottled tree frog is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Philippines.It lives in mountain forests near Mount Hilonghilong. People have seen it between 1600 and 1900 meters above sea level.
Platymantis paengi, the Panay limestone frog, is a species of frog in the family Ceratobatrachidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. It is only known from Mount Lihidan, a limestone karst mountain of Pandan, Antique Province, Panay Island. This frog has been observed between 180 and 300 meters above sea level.
Platymantis quezoni is a species of frog in the family Ceratobatrachidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its type locality is in the Quezon Protected Landscape, where it is found in limestone karst habitats. It may also be found in limestone karst habitats in Bondoc Peninsula.