Hylidae

Hylidae is a wide-ranging family of frogs commonly referred to as "tree frogs and their allies". However, the hylids include a diversity of frog species, many of which do not live in trees, but are terrestrial or semiaquatic.

Taxonomy and systematics

The earliest known fossils that can be assigned to this family are from the Cretaceous of India and the state of Wyoming in the United States.

The common name of "tree frog" is a popular name for several species of the family Hylidae. However, the name "treefrog" is not unique to this family, also being used for many species in the family Rhacophoridae, Phyllomedusidae and Pelodryadinae.

The following genera are recognised in the family Hylidae:

Tribe Cophomantini Aplastodiscus – canebrake treefrogs Boana – gladiator treefrogs Bokermannohyla Hyloscirtus Myersiohyla Nesorohyla "Hyla" nicefori
Tribe Dendropsophini Dendropsophus Xenohyla
Tribe Hylini Acris – cricket frogs Atlantihyla Bromeliohyla Charadrahyla Dryophytes – Ameroasian treefrogs Duellmanohyla – brook frogs Ecnomiohyla Exerodonta Hyla – common tree frogs Isthmohyla Megastomatohyla Plectrohyla – spike-thumb frogs Pseudacris – chorus frogs Ptychohyla – stream frogs Quilticohyla Rheohyla – small-eared treefrog Sarcohyla Smilisca – burrowing frogs Tlalocohyla Triprion – shovel-headed tree frogs
Tribe Lophiohylini Aparasphenodon – casque-headed frogs Argenteohyla – Argentinian frogs Corythomantis – casque-headed tree frog Dryaderces Itapotihyla Nyctimantis – brown-eyed tree frogs Osteocephalus – slender-legged tree frogs Osteopilus Phyllodytes – heart-tongued frogs Phytotriades – Trinidad golden treefrogs Tepuihyla – Amazon tree frogs Trachycephalus – casque-headed tree frog
Tribe Pseudini Lysapsus – harlequin frogs Pseudis – swimming frogs Scarthyla – Madre de Dios tree frogs
Tribe Scinaxini Julianus Ololygon (synonymous with Scinax) Scinax – snouted tree frogs
Tribe Sphaenorhynchini Sphaenorhynchus – lime tree frogs
Incertae sedis "Hyla" imitator – mimic tree frog

The subfamilies Pelodryadinae and Phyllomedusinae are sometimes classified as subfamilies of Hylidae, but due to their deep divergence and unique evolutionary history are increasingly considered separate (with Pelodryadidae being the sister group to Phyllomedusidae and colonizing Australia during the Eocene via the Antarctic land bridge, which at the time was not yet frozen over).

Description

Most hylids show adaptations suitable for an arboreal lifestyle, including forward-facing eyes providing binocular vision, and adhesive pads on the fingers and toes. In the nonarboreal species, these features may be greatly reduced, or absent.

Distribution and habitat

The European tree frog (Hyla arborea) is common in the middle and south of Europe, and its range extends into Asia and North Africa.

North America has many species of the family Hylidae, including the gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor) and the American green tree frog (H. cinerea). The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is also widespread in the eastern United States and is commonly heard on spring and summer evenings.

Behaviour and ecology

Species of the genus Cyclorana are burrowing frogs that spend much of their lives underground.

Breeding

Hylids lay their eggs in a range of different locations, depending on species. Many use ponds, or puddles that collect in the holes of their trees, while others use bromeliads or other water-holding plants. Other species lay their eggs on the leaves of vegetation hanging over water, allowing the tadpoles to drop into the pond when they hatch.

A few species use fast-flowing streams, attaching the eggs firmly to the substrate. The tadpoles of these species have suckers enabling them to hold on to rocks after they hatch. Another unusual adaptation is found in some South American hylids, which brood the eggs on the back of the female. The tadpoles of most hylid species have laterally placed eyes and broad tails with narrow, filamentous tips.

Feeding

Hylids mostly feed on insects and other invertebrates, but some larger species can feed on small vertebrates.

Gallery

Dryophytes versicolor, North American gray tree frog
Hyla japonica, Japanese tree frog
Smilisca phaeota, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Reynolds, Francis J., ed. (1921). "Collier's Encyclopedia". Collier's New Encyclopedia. New York: P.F. Collier & Son Company.

External links

Data related toHylidaeat Wikispecies