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KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Small size (less than 2 inches), outermost hind toe widest, Male has tail-like copulatory organ, vertical pupils, rough skin.
Ascaphus truei (Tailed Frog) |
The tailed frog family is considered by most herpetologists
to be more primitive than other frogs. Members of this family have
2 pairs of unattached ribs and 9 presacral vertebrae. The means of
internal fertilization is unique among frogs. The male's tail is
actually an extension of the vent and is used during copulation to pass
sperm directly into the female. Amplexus is pelvic. The pupils
of the eye are vertical. There is only one species of this family
in North America, Ascaphus. Some taxonomists consider them
related to three species of the genus Leiopelma found in New Zealand
but this relationship does not appear to be warranted (R.C. Stebbins Per.
Comm. July 8, 1999)
OTHER FAMILY PAGES:
|
(Mole Salamanders) |
(Tailed Frog) |
(Spadefoot Toads) |
|
(True Toads) |
(Tree Frogs) |
(True Frogs) |
USDA,
Forest Service
Federal
Building
324
25th Street
Ogden,
Utah 84401