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Pelobatidae:
The genus Pelobates occurs in western Eurasia and northwestern Africa, Spea and Scaphiopus, occur through North America (Southern Canada south to Southern Mexico). Members of this family are collectively known as the “spade foot toads” due to the presence of a keratinized “spade” on the hind limbs which aid in burrowing. Pelobatids inhabit arid habitats and are known as “explosive” breeders due to their seeming to explode out of the ground after the first heavy rain in order to mate. They produce tadpoles that develop rapidly in temporary ponds, even in desert regions. They have short legs and stocky bodies with vertical pupils. Morphological characters for this group are: 1) sacroccygial (sacrum and urostyle) joint fused; 2) frontoparietal exostosed (with bony growths) (mainly in Pelobates and Scaphiopus); 3) metatarsal spade supported by well ossified hallux; 4) palatines absent; 5) pectoral girdle arciferal with distinct sternum and omosternum; 6) astragalus and calcaneum only fused at ends.
Genus :
Pelobates (4 species)
Scaphiopus (3 species)
Spea (4 species) |
