Odontobatrachidae |  |
5 species in 1 genus
Commonly Called Torrent-frogs
Odontobatrachus natator
Photo by Theodore Papenfuss
(Click for family gallery)These uniquely West African species were previously in the Petropedetidae (Petropedetes) until Barej et al. (2014) described their distinct molecular and morphological characteristics. Much natural history and biology is unknown about this group.
Written by AmphibiaWebNotable Family Characteristics
- Tusk-like odontoids (fanglike structures) on the lower mandible as well as curved and pointed pre- and maxillary teeth
- Indistinct tympanum, granular skin with ridges, extensive webbing,
- Males with femoral glands, large pair of external vocal sacs, nuptial pads
- Associated with streams or rapids
- Distribution limited to West Africa, including Upper Guinean forests in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and western Ivory Coast
Cartography Credit: Zoe Yoo, UC Berkeley
Range maps sources: AmphibiaWeb, UC Berkeley, and IUCN RedListRelevant Reference
Barej, M. F., A. Schmitz, R. Günther, S. P. Loader, K. Mahlow, and M.-O. Rödel. 2014. The first endemic West African vertebrate family – a new anuran family highlighting the uniqueness of the Upper Guinean biodiversity hotspot. Frontiers in Zoology 11(8): 1–27.
Genus Odontobatrachus (5 species)
Odontobatrachus arndti account no photos no sound/video Odontobatrachus fouta no account no photos no sound/video Odontobatrachus natator account photos no sound/video Odontobatrachus smithi no account no photos no sound/video Odontobatrachus ziama no account no photos no sound/video
Citation: AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: https://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed:
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