Ghost frog

Ghost frogs
Eastern ghost frog (Heleophryne orientalis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Amphibia
Order:
Anura
Suborder:
Neobatrachia
Family:
Heleophrynidae

Noble, 1931
Genus:
Heleophryne

Sclater, 1898
Species

Hadromophryne natalensis
Heleophryne depressa
Heleophryne hewitti
Heleophryne orientalis
Heleophryne purcelli
Heleophryne regis
Heleophryne rosei

Distribution of Heleophrynidae (in black)

The ghost frog is the common name for a family of frogs of the family Heleophrynidae. The family has two genera, Heleophryne and Hadromophryne. There are seven species. Ghost frogs live in swift-moving mountain streams in South Africa. The common name of "ghost frogs" may be because they live in Skeleton Gorge.

Biology

Ghost frogs are medium sized frogs, reaching a length of 6 centimetres (2.4 in). They have flat bodies. This lets them climb inside rocky crevices. They have very large toe discs in comparison to their size. This helps to hold onto rocks. The mouthparts of the tadpoles are a sucking disc. This lets them hold onto the surface they live on and remain still while they are feeding.

Taxonomy

The ghost frogs are closely related to the Sooglossidae family, which inhabit the Seychelles. They may also be closely related to the Australian Myobatrachids.

Family Heleophrynidae

References

  1. 1 2 Zweifel, Richard G. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 104–105. ISBN 0-12-178560-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)