Added 22 September 2003. Last updated 23 February 2006: added link to Family Leiopelmatidae.

A rough guide to

ANURAN FAMILIES

The classification, or taxonomy, of the frogs and toads is quite complicated and often disputed, even among scientists themselves. While most can agree on the species, how they fit together to form families is not always clear.

The following is a rough guide to the different families. It does not claim to be completely authoritative or completely accurate, but it follows the rough scheme in Bartlett, who in turn followed Duellman and Frost (1985 & 1986), and has been brought up to date using the taxonomic model at LivingUnderworld. Any mistakes are however my own! Its main goal is to give you an idea of the characteristics of some of the better-known frogs and toads and how they fit in with one another.

It should be noted that at a higher level, both frogs and toads (Anura) and newts and salamanders (Caudata or Urodela), together with the caecilians (Gymnophiona) are placed together in the Lissamphibia, to distinguish them from the ancient (and extinct) forms Labyrinthodontia and Lepospondyli.

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

Family Allophrynidae Family Artholeptidae, Sub-Saharan Frogs Family Ascaphidae, Tailed Frogs

Family Bombinatoridae, Fire-Bellied Toads Family Brachycephalidae, Bronze Frogs Family Bufonidae, True Toads

Family Centrolenidae, Ghost/Glass Frogs Family Dendrobatidae, Poison Dart Frogs Family Discoglossidae, Painted Frogs

Family Heleophrynidae, S African Ghost Frogs Family Hemisotidae, Shovel-Snouted Frogs Family Hylidae, Tree Frogs

Family Hyperoliidae, Reed and Bush Frogs Family Leiopelmatidae, New Zealand Frogs Family Leptodactylidae, Leptodactylid Frogs

Family Mantellidae, Mantellas Family Megophryidae, Asian Toads Family Microhylidae, Narrow-Mouthed Frogs

Family Myobatrachidae, Antipodean Frogs Family Nasikabatrachidae, Indian Burrowing Frog Family Pelobatidae, European Spadefoot Toads

Family Pelodytidae, Parsley Frogs Family Pipidae, Clawed Frogs Family Pseudidae, Pseudid Frogs

Family Ranidae, True/Pool Frogs Family Rhacophoridae, Foam-Nest Frogs Family Rhinodermatidae, Mouth-Brooding Frogs

Family Rhinophrynidae, Burrowing Toad Family Scaphiopodidae, Spadefoot Toads Family Sooglossidae, Seychelles Frogs

ORDER ANURA

Suborder Archeobatrachia [literally, "old" or "ancient" frogs]

Superfamily Discoglossoidea

Family Ascaphidae - Tailed Frogs: 2 species 1-2 species of the North American genus Ascaphus, or "tailed frog", so-called because of its. Lacks tympanic membrame but retains primitive tail-wagging muscles even though tadpole phase is omitted.

Family Bombinatoridae - Fire-Bellied Toads 2 genera, Bombina, the Fire-Bellied Toads, and Barbourula, a similarly aquatic genus of 2 species from the Philippines.

Family Discoglossidae - Painted Frogs 2 genera and 10 species. Tongue cannot be extended, unlike in most other anurans. Includes Discoglossus, Painted Frogs and Alytes, the Midwife Toads.

Family Leiopelmatidae - New Zealand Frogs 3-4 species of the genus Leiopelma. In common with Ascaphus (which was once considered part of this family), lacks tympanic membrame but retains primitive tail-wagging muscles even though tadpole phase is omitted. The only native frogs to New Zealand.

Superfamily Pelobatoidea

Family Megophryidae: 136 species Considered a subfamily of the Pelobatidae by some. Includes the genus Megophrys (22 species) of which the Asian horned frog, M. montana, is perhaps the only well-known representative, plus 9-10 other genera from SE Asia and the Indo-Australian archipelago.

Family Pelobatidae - European Spadefoot Toads: 4 species The genus Pelobates.

Family Pelodytidae - Parsley Frogs: 3 species Single genus Pelodytes with species, including the European Parsley Frog, Pelodytes punctatus, in widely separated ranges.

Family Scaphiopodidae - American Spadefoot Toads: 7 species Formerly considered a part of the Pelobatidae. Includes Scaphiophus (North American Spadefoot Toads: 6 species) and monotypic Spea. These species from North America are usually from very arid environments and in the wild often burrow down into the soil and protect themselves in a cocoon of several layers of shed skin. However, they have been kept successfully in the terrarium without resorting to these conditions.

Superfamily Pipoidea

Family Pipidae - Clawed Frogs: 30 species Very aquatic group that lack tongues.

Subfamily Dactylethrinae/Xenopodinae
LivingUnderworld.org shows this subfamily divided into two Tribes: the Hymenochirini (Hymenochirus, the Dwarf Clawed Frogs, and Pseudohymenochirus) and the Xenopodini (Xenopus , the Clawed Frogs, and Silurana). Hymenochirus (Dwarf African Clawed Frogs) contains 2-4 species (authorities differ), of which H. curtipes and H. boettgeri are sometimes seen in the pet trade. Xenopus (African Clawed Frogs) has 7 species, of which two (X. laevis, the African Clawed Frog, and X. tropicalis) are most commonly seen, especially X. laevis.

Subfamily Pipinae
Contains single genus of Pipa, which also has an interesting mode of reproduction. All seven species in this genus are totally aquatic and found in the north of South America.

Family Rhinophrynidae - Burrowing Toad: 1 species The Mexican Burrowing Toad, Rhinophrynus dorsalis, from southern US as far south as Costa Rica.

Suborder Neobatrachia [literally, "new frogs"]

Superfamily Bufonoidea

Family Brachycephalidae - Bronze Frogs: up to 6 species "Gold frogs": very small frogs found on the coast of S Brazil. 1-2 genera are recognised, usually Brachycephalus but also more recently Psyllophryne.

Family Bufonidae - True Toads: 330+ species Worldwide distribution with the exception of Australia (except for the imported and pestilential Cane Toad, B. marinus), Madagascar and most oceanic islands [Coborn]. Although Bufo species have the typical dry warty skin of the typical toads, not all species in this family resemble the "average toad" so closely: the Atelops "toads", better known as Harlequin Frogs, are quite delicate. There are 25 genera in the Bufonidae.

Family Heleophrynidae - South African Ghost Frogs: 8 species 1 genus, confined to southern Africa.

Family Leptodactylidae - Leptodactylid Frogs: over 1,100 species Includes the horned frogs and the large genus Eleutherodactylus which contains over 400 species. 4 subfamilies:

Subfamily Ceratophryinae
Horned frogs and relatives. 2 genera, Ceratophrys (horned frogs, 6 species) and Lepidobatrachus (includes Budgett's frog, a creature with similar appetites to Ceratophrys).

Subfamily Hylodinae
3 genera: Crossodactylus, Hylodes and Megaelosia.

Subfamily Leptodactylinae
These frogs lay their eggs in foam nests. 11 genera.

Subfamily Telmatobiinae
Distinguished mainly by the enormous genus Eleutherodactylus, with over 400 species. Most however are not seen within the pet trade. LivingUnderworld notes a number of "tribes" within this subfamily.

Family Myobatrachidae - Antipodean Frogs: 122 species All species confined to Australia and New Guinea. Contains a wide variety of shapes and lifestyles.

Subfamily Limnodynastinae
11 genera

Subfamily Myobatrachinae
12 genera

Family Nasikabatrachidae First named in 2003. Single species found in W India.

Family Rhinodermatidae - Mouth-Brooding Frogs: 2 species As their name suggests, both species in this family incubate their eggs inside their mouths. Both are found at the tip of South America.

Family Sooglossidae - Seychelles Frogs: 4 species Contains two genera, all native to the Seychelles and all protected.

Superfamily Hyloidea

Family Allophrynidae: 1 species Single species Allophryne ruthveni.

Family Centrolenidae - Glass/Ghost Frogs: 60 species Two genera: found in Central and South America. Centrolene is a monotypic genus: Centrolenella contains the remaining species, which are collectively sometimes referred to as "glass" or "ghost frogs" owing to their translucent skin through which internal organs can sometimes be seen. Most of this family are otherwise similar in appearance to treefrogs.

Family Hylidae - Tree Frogs: 640+ species Mostly but not all arboreal frogs. 4 subfamilies:

Subfamily Hemiphractinae
7 genera of frogs distinguished by unusual breeding behaviour. Includes the marsupial frogs, Gastrotheca.

Subfamily Hylinae
Large subfamily with 23 genera, although classification is an ongoing process. These are the "typical" treefrogs, and includes the Cricket Frogs, Acris (2 species), Tree Frogs, Hyla (250 species), Osteopilus (3 species: includes the Cuban Tree Frog, O. septentrionalis), Chorus Frogs, Pseudacris (about 12 species) and Smiliscus (6 species found in N, C and S America). Distribution is across both Old and New World, with the exception of Australia (the Australian treefrogs are actually now considered members of the Pelodryadinae, see below).

Subfamily Pelodryadinae
3 genera, all from the Australo-Papuan region, including the popular Litoria (over 100 species, including the deservedly popular White's Tree Frog, L. caerulea) which is distributed across the entire region, and Nyctimistes (25 species). The species in this subfamily were formerly assigned to the Hylinae (Tree Frogs).

Subfamily Phyllomedusinae
3 genera found from Mexico as far south as Argentina. Includes Agalychnis (8 species, including the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, A. callidryas), Pachymedusa (1 species) and Phyllomedusa (33 species). Most of these frogs are beautiful and interesting but rather delicate captives.

Family Pseudidae - Pseudid Frogs: 8 species Two genera found in S America east of the Andes. The genus Pseudis is noted for its tadpoles being many times the length of the adults, reaching up to 10"/25cm. The other genus is Lysapsus.

Superfamily Ranoidea

Family Arthroleptidae - Sub-Saharan Frogs: 70+ species

Subfamily Arthroleptinae
"Squeakers", 8 genera and 70 species found in sub-Saharan Africa. This includes the so-called "Hairy Frog", Trichobatrachus robustus. Some authorities consider this subfamily a full family, the Arthroleptidae, and assign to it the subfamilies Arthroleptinae and Astylosterninae.

Subfamily Astylosterninae
5 genera found in sub-Saharan Africa: frogs with vertical pupils.

Family Dendrobatidae - Poison Dart Frogs: 215 species A family of small but beautiful tropical frogs which are highly desirable to many keepers. The skin toxins vary from mildly to highly dangerous, although it seems that after about 18 months in captivity their power declines greatly. This is attributed to the absence of the local ants in captivity which in the wild would make up a considerable part of their diet. Although traditionally made up of four genera (Colostethus, Dendrobates, Epipedobates, Phyllobates), up to ten are accepted by some authorities (the lesser-known consisting of Allobates, Aromobates, Cryptophyllobates, Mannophryne, Minyobates and Nephelobates).

Family Hemisotidae - Shovel-Nosed Frogs: 9 species Single genus of 9 species from sub-Saharan Africa: sometimes considered part of the Family Ranidae or a subfamily.

Family Hyperoliidae - Reed and Bush Frogs: 300 species Restricted to the African continent and Madagascar and the Seychelles. Of these, usually only the Hyperolius (Reed Frog) species are seen in the pet trade. The family also includes Kassina (3 species) and Leptopelis (sometimes known as Bush Frogs).

Subfamily Hyperoliinae
12 genera: Hyperolius is a very large genus. The others are Acanthixalus, Afrixalus, Alexteroon, Arlequinus, Callixalus, Chlorolius, Chrysobatrachus, Cryptothylax, Heterixalus, Kassinula and Nesionixalus.

Subfamily Kassininae
5 genera: Kassina, Opisthothylax (monotypic), Paracassina, Phlyctimantis and Semnodactylus.

Subfamily Leptopelinae
Contains the single large genus Leptopelis.

Subfamily Tachycneminae
One monotypic genus from the Seychelles.

Family Mantellidae - Mantellas: 145 species 5 genera. This includes the fabulously beautiful and delicate Mantellas (genus Mantella), reminiscent in appearance of some poison dart frogs. All are native to the rainforests of Madagascar. Despite the apparent similarity to poison dart frogs, mantellas need to be kept somewhat cooler. Apart from Mantella, the subfamily includes the genera Aglyptodactylus, Boophis, Laliostoma and Mantidactylus.

Family Microhylidae - Narrow-Mouthed Frogs: 300+ species Almost worldwide distribution, including Australia. The typical species is rather round and tends to burrow, although there are some arboreal species from Madagascar. The family includes the blood-red Discophus species, better known as Tomato Frogs, the Narrow-Mouthed Frogs, Gastrophryne sp. Apart from a few species such as the Tomato Frog, there is little information commonly available on these anurans.

Subfamily Asterophryinae
Found in the Australo-Papuan region. 8 genera: Asterophrys, Barygenys, Callulops, Hylophorbus, Mantophryne, Pherohapsis (monotypic), Xenobatrachus and Xenorhina.

Subfamily Breviciptinae
5 genera: Balebreviceps, Breviceps, Callulina (monotypic), Probreviceps and Spelaeophryne.

Subfamily Cophylinae
7 genera: Anodonthyla, Cophyla, Madecassophryne, Platypelis, Plethodontohyla and Stumpffia.

Subfamily Dyscophinae
2 genera, Calluella and Discophus - the latter includes the popular Tomato Frogs.

Subfamily Genophryninae
Found in the Australo-Papuan region: two genera, Cophixalus and Sphenophryne, occur in Australia, the other five being restricted to New Guinea.

Subfamily Melanobatrachinae
3 genera: Hoplophryne, Melanobatrachus and Parhoplophryne, of which the latter two are monotypic.

Subfamily Microhylinae
Large grouping of about 30 genera, although some of these are monotypic. Includes Kaloula, which is sometimes available, and the North American Gastrophryne (Narrow-Mouthed Toads).

Subfamily Otophryne
Single genus of 3 species.

Subfamily Phrynomerinae
Contains the single genus Phrynomantis (5 species).

Subfamily Scaphiophryninae
Contains two genera, Paradoxophyla (monotypic) and Scaphiophryne.

Family Ranidae - Pool/True Frogs: 700+ species These "typical frogs" are found in temperate zones as well as tropical and subtropical areas, being absent only from southern South America and most of Australia. The genus Rana alone contains about 270 species and includes such notables as R. catesbiana (American Bullfrog), R. pipiens (Leopard Frog - actually a complex of species), R. temporaria (European Common Frog), R. esculenta (Edible Frog), R. ribiens (Marsh Frog) and R. lessonae (Pool Frog).

Family Rhacophoridae - Foam-Nesting Tree Frogs: 200+ species A family of frogs from Africa and SE Asia that resemble Eurasian and North American treefrogs. Most if not all produce their young in foam nests on treetrunks. The group includes the so-called "Flying Frogs", which can actually glide thanks to heavy webbing around their feet. There are 2-3 subfamilies.

Subfamily Buergeria
1 genus, Buergeria (4 species). Not all authorities consider this a subfamily.

Subfamily Philautinae
1 large genus, Philautus.

Subfamily Rhacophorinae
7 genera: Chirixalus, Chiromantis, Micrixalus, Nyctixalus, Polypedates, Rhacophorus (Flying Frogs) and Theloderma. Polypedates and Rhacophorus are both fairly large in terms of numbers.

Bibliography

Frogs and Toads of the World, Chris Mattison, Blandford Press. Very useful and informative introduction to the Order Anura, although some of the taxonomy may now be slightly out of date.

Keeping and Breeding Amphibians, Chris Mattison, Blandford Press.

The Proper Care of Amphibians, John Coborn, TFH, 1992. Although I have been often critical of Coborn's books in the past - some, notably on lizards, have contained erroneous information - this is not a bad one. It is very useful for an oversight of all the amphibian families and contains some information on many species which are rarely seen in captivity.

Frogs, Toads and Treefrogs, RD and Patricia P Bartlett, Barron's Educational Series, 1996. This is a good book for details on the captive husbandry of the most common anurans you are likely to see offered in the pet trade.

Links

Jessica Miller's LivingUnderworld has a wealth of information on many amphibian species. The site also shows an up-to-date version of the most recent taxonomic models.

Back to Anurans | Back to Amphibians | Back to Herpetology | Back to HomePage

	ALPHABETICAL INDEX
Family Allophrynidae	Family Artholeptidae, Sub-Saharan Frogs	Family Ascaphidae, Tailed Frogs
Family Bombinatoridae, Fire-Bellied Toads	Family Brachycephalidae, Bronze Frogs	Family Bufonidae, True Toads
Family Centrolenidae, Ghost/Glass Frogs	Family Dendrobatidae, Poison Dart Frogs	Family Discoglossidae, Painted Frogs
Family Heleophrynidae, S African Ghost Frogs	Family Hemisotidae, Shovel-Snouted Frogs	Family Hylidae, Tree Frogs
Family Hyperoliidae, Reed and Bush Frogs	Family Leiopelmatidae, New Zealand Frogs	Family Leptodactylidae, Leptodactylid Frogs
Family Mantellidae, Mantellas	Family Megophryidae, Asian Toads	Family Microhylidae, Narrow-Mouthed Frogs
Family Myobatrachidae, Antipodean Frogs	Family Nasikabatrachidae, Indian Burrowing Frog	Family Pelobatidae, European Spadefoot Toads
Family Pelodytidae, Parsley Frogs	Family Pipidae, Clawed Frogs	Family Pseudidae, Pseudid Frogs
Family Ranidae, True/Pool Frogs	Family Rhacophoridae, Foam-Nest Frogs	Family Rhinodermatidae, Mouth-Brooding Frogs
Family Rhinophrynidae, Burrowing Toad	Family Scaphiopodidae, Spadefoot Toads	Family Sooglossidae, Seychelles Frogs

ORDER ANURA
Suborder Archeobatrachia [literally, "old" or "ancient" frogs]
	Superfamily Discoglossoidea
		Family Ascaphidae - Tailed Frogs: 2 species	1-2 species of the North American genus Ascaphus, or "tailed frog", so-called because of its. Lacks tympanic membrame but retains primitive tail-wagging muscles even though tadpole phase is omitted.
		Family Bombinatoridae - Fire-Bellied Toads	2 genera, Bombina, the Fire-Bellied Toads, and Barbourula, a similarly aquatic genus of 2 species from the Philippines.
		Family Discoglossidae - Painted Frogs	2 genera and 10 species. Tongue cannot be extended, unlike in most other anurans. Includes Discoglossus, Painted Frogs and Alytes, the Midwife Toads.
		Family Leiopelmatidae - New Zealand Frogs	3-4 species of the genus Leiopelma. In common with Ascaphus (which was once considered part of this family), lacks tympanic membrame but retains primitive tail-wagging muscles even though tadpole phase is omitted. The only native frogs to New Zealand.
	Superfamily Pelobatoidea
		Family Megophryidae: 136 species	Considered a subfamily of the Pelobatidae by some. Includes the genus Megophrys (22 species) of which the Asian horned frog, M. montana, is perhaps the only well-known representative, plus 9-10 other genera from SE Asia and the Indo-Australian archipelago.
		Family Pelobatidae - European Spadefoot Toads: 4 species	The genus Pelobates.
		Family Pelodytidae - Parsley Frogs: 3 species	Single genus Pelodytes with species, including the European Parsley Frog, Pelodytes punctatus, in widely separated ranges.
		Family Scaphiopodidae - American Spadefoot Toads: 7 species	Formerly considered a part of the Pelobatidae. Includes Scaphiophus (North American Spadefoot Toads: 6 species) and monotypic Spea. These species from North America are usually from very arid environments and in the wild often burrow down into the soil and protect themselves in a cocoon of several layers of shed skin. However, they have been kept successfully in the terrarium without resorting to these conditions.
	Superfamily Pipoidea
		Family Pipidae - Clawed Frogs: 30 species	Very aquatic group that lack tongues.
		Subfamily Dactylethrinae/Xenopodinae	LivingUnderworld.org shows this subfamily divided into two Tribes: the Hymenochirini (Hymenochirus, the Dwarf Clawed Frogs, and Pseudohymenochirus) and the Xenopodini (Xenopus , the Clawed Frogs, and Silurana). Hymenochirus (Dwarf African Clawed Frogs) contains 2-4 species (authorities differ), of which H. curtipes and H. boettgeri are sometimes seen in the pet trade. Xenopus (African Clawed Frogs) has 7 species, of which two (X. laevis, the African Clawed Frog, and X. tropicalis) are most commonly seen, especially X. laevis.
		Subfamily Pipinae	Contains single genus of Pipa, which also has an interesting mode of reproduction. All seven species in this genus are totally aquatic and found in the north of South America.
		Family Rhinophrynidae - Burrowing Toad: 1 species	The Mexican Burrowing Toad, Rhinophrynus dorsalis, from southern US as far south as Costa Rica.
Suborder Neobatrachia [literally, "new frogs"]
	Superfamily Bufonoidea
		Family Brachycephalidae - Bronze Frogs: up to 6 species	"Gold frogs": very small frogs found on the coast of S Brazil. 1-2 genera are recognised, usually Brachycephalus but also more recently Psyllophryne.
		Family Bufonidae - True Toads: 330+ species	Worldwide distribution with the exception of Australia (except for the imported and pestilential Cane Toad, B. marinus), Madagascar and most oceanic islands [Coborn]. Although Bufo species have the typical dry warty skin of the typical toads, not all species in this family resemble the "average toad" so closely: the Atelops "toads", better known as Harlequin Frogs, are quite delicate. There are 25 genera in the Bufonidae.
		Family Heleophrynidae - South African Ghost Frogs: 8 species	1 genus, confined to southern Africa.
		Family Leptodactylidae - Leptodactylid Frogs: over 1,100 species	Includes the horned frogs and the large genus Eleutherodactylus which contains over 400 species. 4 subfamilies:
		Subfamily Ceratophryinae	Horned frogs and relatives. 2 genera, Ceratophrys (horned frogs, 6 species) and Lepidobatrachus (includes Budgett's frog, a creature with similar appetites to Ceratophrys).
		Subfamily Hylodinae	3 genera: Crossodactylus, Hylodes and Megaelosia.
		Subfamily Leptodactylinae	These frogs lay their eggs in foam nests. 11 genera.
		Subfamily Telmatobiinae	Distinguished mainly by the enormous genus Eleutherodactylus, with over 400 species. Most however are not seen within the pet trade. LivingUnderworld notes a number of "tribes" within this subfamily.
		Family Myobatrachidae - Antipodean Frogs: 122 species	All species confined to Australia and New Guinea. Contains a wide variety of shapes and lifestyles.
		Subfamily Limnodynastinae	11 genera
		Subfamily Myobatrachinae	12 genera
		Family Nasikabatrachidae	First named in 2003. Single species found in W India.
		Family Rhinodermatidae - Mouth-Brooding Frogs: 2 species	As their name suggests, both species in this family incubate their eggs inside their mouths. Both are found at the tip of South America.
		Family Sooglossidae - Seychelles Frogs: 4 species	Contains two genera, all native to the Seychelles and all protected.
	Superfamily Hyloidea
		Family Allophrynidae: 1 species	Single species Allophryne ruthveni.
		Family Centrolenidae - Glass/Ghost Frogs: 60 species	Two genera: found in Central and South America. Centrolene is a monotypic genus: Centrolenella contains the remaining species, which are collectively sometimes referred to as "glass" or "ghost frogs" owing to their translucent skin through which internal organs can sometimes be seen. Most of this family are otherwise similar in appearance to treefrogs.
		Family Hylidae - Tree Frogs: 640+ species	Mostly but not all arboreal frogs. 4 subfamilies:
		Subfamily Hemiphractinae	7 genera of frogs distinguished by unusual breeding behaviour. Includes the marsupial frogs, Gastrotheca.
		Subfamily Hylinae	Large subfamily with 23 genera, although classification is an ongoing process. These are the "typical" treefrogs, and includes the Cricket Frogs, Acris (2 species), Tree Frogs, Hyla (250 species), Osteopilus (3 species: includes the Cuban Tree Frog, O. septentrionalis), Chorus Frogs, Pseudacris (about 12 species) and Smiliscus (6 species found in N, C and S America). Distribution is across both Old and New World, with the exception of Australia (the Australian treefrogs are actually now considered members of the Pelodryadinae, see below).
		Subfamily Pelodryadinae	3 genera, all from the Australo-Papuan region, including the popular Litoria (over 100 species, including the deservedly popular White's Tree Frog, L. caerulea) which is distributed across the entire region, and Nyctimistes (25 species). The species in this subfamily were formerly assigned to the Hylinae (Tree Frogs).
		Subfamily Phyllomedusinae	3 genera found from Mexico as far south as Argentina. Includes Agalychnis (8 species, including the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, A. callidryas), Pachymedusa (1 species) and Phyllomedusa (33 species). Most of these frogs are beautiful and interesting but rather delicate captives.
		Family Pseudidae - Pseudid Frogs: 8 species	Two genera found in S America east of the Andes. The genus Pseudis is noted for its tadpoles being many times the length of the adults, reaching up to 10"/25cm. The other genus is Lysapsus.
	Superfamily Ranoidea
		Family Arthroleptidae - Sub-Saharan Frogs: 70+ species
		Subfamily Arthroleptinae	"Squeakers", 8 genera and 70 species found in sub-Saharan Africa. This includes the so-called "Hairy Frog", Trichobatrachus robustus. Some authorities consider this subfamily a full family, the Arthroleptidae, and assign to it the subfamilies Arthroleptinae and Astylosterninae.
		Subfamily Astylosterninae	5 genera found in sub-Saharan Africa: frogs with vertical pupils.
		Family Dendrobatidae - Poison Dart Frogs: 215 species	A family of small but beautiful tropical frogs which are highly desirable to many keepers. The skin toxins vary from mildly to highly dangerous, although it seems that after about 18 months in captivity their power declines greatly. This is attributed to the absence of the local ants in captivity which in the wild would make up a considerable part of their diet. Although traditionally made up of four genera (Colostethus, Dendrobates, Epipedobates, Phyllobates), up to ten are accepted by some authorities (the lesser-known consisting of Allobates, Aromobates, Cryptophyllobates, Mannophryne, Minyobates and Nephelobates).
		Family Hemisotidae - Shovel-Nosed Frogs: 9 species	Single genus of 9 species from sub-Saharan Africa: sometimes considered part of the Family Ranidae or a subfamily.
		Family Hyperoliidae - Reed and Bush Frogs: 300 species	Restricted to the African continent and Madagascar and the Seychelles. Of these, usually only the Hyperolius (Reed Frog) species are seen in the pet trade. The family also includes Kassina (3 species) and Leptopelis (sometimes known as Bush Frogs).
		Subfamily Hyperoliinae	12 genera: Hyperolius is a very large genus. The others are Acanthixalus, Afrixalus, Alexteroon, Arlequinus, Callixalus, Chlorolius, Chrysobatrachus, Cryptothylax, Heterixalus, Kassinula and Nesionixalus.
		Subfamily Kassininae	5 genera: Kassina, Opisthothylax (monotypic), Paracassina, Phlyctimantis and Semnodactylus.
		Subfamily Leptopelinae	Contains the single large genus Leptopelis.
		Subfamily Tachycneminae	One monotypic genus from the Seychelles.
		Family Mantellidae - Mantellas: 145 species	5 genera. This includes the fabulously beautiful and delicate Mantellas (genus Mantella), reminiscent in appearance of some poison dart frogs. All are native to the rainforests of Madagascar. Despite the apparent similarity to poison dart frogs, mantellas need to be kept somewhat cooler. Apart from Mantella, the subfamily includes the genera Aglyptodactylus, Boophis, Laliostoma and Mantidactylus.
		Family Microhylidae - Narrow-Mouthed Frogs: 300+ species	Almost worldwide distribution, including Australia. The typical species is rather round and tends to burrow, although there are some arboreal species from Madagascar. The family includes the blood-red Discophus species, better known as Tomato Frogs, the Narrow-Mouthed Frogs, Gastrophryne sp. Apart from a few species such as the Tomato Frog, there is little information commonly available on these anurans.
		Subfamily Asterophryinae	Found in the Australo-Papuan region. 8 genera: Asterophrys, Barygenys, Callulops, Hylophorbus, Mantophryne, Pherohapsis (monotypic), Xenobatrachus and Xenorhina.
		Subfamily Breviciptinae	5 genera: Balebreviceps, Breviceps, Callulina (monotypic), Probreviceps and Spelaeophryne.
		Subfamily Cophylinae	7 genera: Anodonthyla, Cophyla, Madecassophryne, Platypelis, Plethodontohyla and Stumpffia.
		Subfamily Dyscophinae	2 genera, Calluella and Discophus - the latter includes the popular Tomato Frogs.
		Subfamily Genophryninae	Found in the Australo-Papuan region: two genera, Cophixalus and Sphenophryne, occur in Australia, the other five being restricted to New Guinea.
		Subfamily Melanobatrachinae	3 genera: Hoplophryne, Melanobatrachus and Parhoplophryne, of which the latter two are monotypic.
		Subfamily Microhylinae	Large grouping of about 30 genera, although some of these are monotypic. Includes Kaloula, which is sometimes available, and the North American Gastrophryne (Narrow-Mouthed Toads).
		Subfamily Otophryne	Single genus of 3 species.
		Subfamily Phrynomerinae	Contains the single genus Phrynomantis (5 species).
		Subfamily Scaphiophryninae	Contains two genera, Paradoxophyla (monotypic) and Scaphiophryne.
		Family Ranidae - Pool/True Frogs: 700+ species	These "typical frogs" are found in temperate zones as well as tropical and subtropical areas, being absent only from southern South America and most of Australia. The genus Rana alone contains about 270 species and includes such notables as R. catesbiana (American Bullfrog), R. pipiens (Leopard Frog - actually a complex of species), R. temporaria (European Common Frog), R. esculenta (Edible Frog), R. ribiens (Marsh Frog) and R. lessonae (Pool Frog).
		Family Rhacophoridae - Foam-Nesting Tree Frogs: 200+ species	A family of frogs from Africa and SE Asia that resemble Eurasian and North American treefrogs. Most if not all produce their young in foam nests on treetrunks. The group includes the so-called "Flying Frogs", which can actually glide thanks to heavy webbing around their feet. There are 2-3 subfamilies.
		Subfamily Buergeria	1 genus, Buergeria (4 species). Not all authorities consider this a subfamily.
		Subfamily Philautinae	1 large genus, Philautus.
		Subfamily Rhacophorinae	7 genera: Chirixalus, Chiromantis, Micrixalus, Nyctixalus, Polypedates, Rhacophorus (Flying Frogs) and Theloderma. Polypedates and Rhacophorus are both fairly large in terms of numbers.