Heleophrynidae (see family information on Tree of Life site)
6 species in 2 genera
This small family of slender agile frogs is restricted to the southern tip of Africa, where its members are found along higher elevation stream regions. Two genera, Heleophryne and the new genus Hadromophryne comprise this group. Adults have large eyes, vertical pupils, and triangular toe discs. Dorsal patterns consist of large spots on a lighter brown or green background. Due to their cold habitat, tadpoles are slow to develop. Major morphological characters uniting these species include the absence of larval jaw sheaths and the presence of many rows of denticles, as well as the presence in adults of triangular toe discs. Males are known to produce extra mucous and loosen their skin as they become more aquatic during breeding season.
Heleophryne regis
Photo by Miguel Vences and Frank Glaw
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Genus Hadromophryne (1 species)
Hadromophryne natalensis AmphibiaWeb account photos no sound/video
Genus Heleophryne (5 species)
Heleophryne hewitti no AmphibiaWeb account no photos no sound/video Heleophryne orientalis no AmphibiaWeb account photos no sound/video Heleophryne purcelli no AmphibiaWeb account no photos no sound/video Heleophryne regis no AmphibiaWeb account photos no sound/video Heleophryne rosei AmphibiaWeb account no photos no sound/video
Citation: AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. 2012. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: http://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed: 2012).
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