Heleophrynidae (see family information on Tree of Life site)
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 species account photos no range maps no sounds
Genus Heleophryne (5 species)
Heleophryne hewitti no species account no photos no range maps no sounds Heleophryne orientalis no species account photos no range maps no sounds Heleophryne purcelli no species account no photos no range maps no sounds Heleophryne regis no species account photos no range maps no sounds Heleophryne rosei species account no photos no range maps no sounds
Citation: AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. 2009. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: http://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed: 2009).
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