Cyclorana
Encyclopedia
Cyclorana is a subgenus of the frog
genus Litoria
in the family Hylidae (tree frogs), whose members are found in most of Australia
. It was formerly considered a separate genus, but reclassified following a major revision by Frost et al. in 2006. Although classified as tree frogs, this genus is entirely terrestrial and lacks toe
pads which their arboreal relatives use for climbing. They are classified as tree frogs because of their similarity with the other members of the genus Litoria
in terms of skeletal structure and physical resemblance of the tadpoles.
This subgenus inhabits some of the most arid zones of Australia. Some species burrow underground and remain dormant for more than 5 years in order to survive drought
conditions. They can store large amounts of water in their bladder, and form a "cocoon" around themselves to reduce loss of water. This is why they are often called "water holding frogs". These frogs only return to the surface to breed and eat, and normally only after heavy summer rains. Eggs are normally laid in temporary water and tadpoles develop quickly to metamorphose before the water completely evaporates.
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
genus Litoria
Litoria
Litoria is a genus of Hylidae tree frogs native to Australia, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Moluccan Islands, and Timor. They are sometimes collectively referred to as Australasian treefrogs...
in the family Hylidae (tree frogs), whose members are found in most of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It was formerly considered a separate genus, but reclassified following a major revision by Frost et al. in 2006. Although classified as tree frogs, this genus is entirely terrestrial and lacks toe
Toe
Toes are the digits of the foot of a tetrapod. Animal species such as cats that walk on their toes are described as being digitigrade. Humans, and other animals that walk on the soles of their feet, are described as being plantigrade; unguligrade animals are those that walk on hooves at the tips of...
pads which their arboreal relatives use for climbing. They are classified as tree frogs because of their similarity with the other members of the genus Litoria
Litoria
Litoria is a genus of Hylidae tree frogs native to Australia, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Moluccan Islands, and Timor. They are sometimes collectively referred to as Australasian treefrogs...
in terms of skeletal structure and physical resemblance of the tadpoles.
This subgenus inhabits some of the most arid zones of Australia. Some species burrow underground and remain dormant for more than 5 years in order to survive drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
conditions. They can store large amounts of water in their bladder, and form a "cocoon" around themselves to reduce loss of water. This is why they are often called "water holding frogs". These frogs only return to the surface to breed and eat, and normally only after heavy summer rains. Eggs are normally laid in temporary water and tadpoles develop quickly to metamorphose before the water completely evaporates.
Species
| Binomial Name and Author | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Cyclorana alboguttata | Striped Burrowi |
| Cyclorana australis | Giant Frog |
| Cyclorana brevipes | Short-footed Frog |
| Cyclorana cryptotis | Hidden-ear Frog |
| Cyclorana cultripes | Knife-footed Frog |
| Cyclorana longipes | Long-footed Frog |
| Cyclorana maculosa | Daly Waters Frog |
| Cyclorana maini | Main's Frog |
| Cyclorana manya | Small Frog |
| Cyclorana novaehollandiae | New Holland Frog |
| Cyclorana platycephala Cyclorana platycephala Litoria platycephala , the Water-holding Frog, is a frog common to most Australian states. It differs from most other members of the Hylidae family as a ground dweller and the ability to estivate.- Description :... |
Water-holding Frog, |
| Cyclorana vagitus Cyclorana vagitus Cyclorana vagitus, the Wailing Frog, is a tree frog occupying the arid and monsoonal Kimberley region. A member of the predominantly Australian Cyclorana genus, it is a ground dweller, which evades dry periods by burrowing and hibernating - emerging to breed during floods.- Description :The back... |
Wailing Frog |
| Cyclorana verrucosa | Rough Frog |