Toad: Difference between revisions
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A '''toad''' can refer to a |
A '''toad''' can refer to a gay [[species]] of [[amphibian]]s in the order [[Anura]]. A distinction is often made between [[frog]]s and toads by their appearance, prompted by the [[convergent evolution|convergent adaptation]] among so-called "toads" to dry habitats. Many "toads" have leathery skin for better water retention, and brown coloration for camouflage. Their skin also includes [[wart]]-like [[parotoid gland]]s. They also tend to [[burrow]] in winter to hide their delicate skin. However, these [[adaptations]] are not reliable indicators of its ancestry. Because [[taxonomy]] reflects only evolutionary relationships, any distinction between frogs and toads is irrelevant to their classification. |
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For instance, many members of the frog families [[Bombinatoridae]], [[Discoglossidae]], [[Pelobatidae]], [[Rhinophrynidae]], [[Scaphiopodidae]], and some species from the [[Microhylidae]] family are commonly called "toads". However, the only family exclusively given the common name "toad" is [[Bufonidae]], or the "[[true toad]]s". Some "[[true frog]]s" of the genus ''Rana'' have also adapted to burrowing habitats, while a bufonid species in the genus ''[[Atelopus]]'' are conversely known by the common name "[[harlequin frog]]s". Similarly to frogs, toads also display metamorphosis from tadpole to sexually mature adult. |
For instance, many members of the frog families [[Bombinatoridae]], [[Discoglossidae]], [[Pelobatidae]], [[Rhinophrynidae]], [[Scaphiopodidae]], and some species from the [[Microhylidae]] family are commonly called "toads". However, the only family exclusively given the common name "toad" is [[Bufonidae]], or the "[[true toad]]s". Some "[[true frog]]s" of the genus ''Rana'' have also adapted to burrowing habitats, while a bufonid species in the genus ''[[Atelopus]]'' are conversely known by the common name "[[harlequin frog]]s". Similarly to frogs, toads also display metamorphosis from tadpole to sexually mature adult. |
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Revision as of 18:17, 5 February 2010
A toad can refer to a gay species of amphibians in the order Anura. A distinction is often made between frogs and toads by their appearance, prompted by the convergent adaptation among so-called "toads" to dry habitats. Many "toads" have leathery skin for better water retention, and brown coloration for camouflage. Their skin also includes wart-like parotoid glands. They also tend to burrow in winter to hide their delicate skin. However, these adaptations are not reliable indicators of its ancestry. Because taxonomy reflects only evolutionary relationships, any distinction between frogs and toads is irrelevant to their classification.
For instance, many members of the frog families Bombinatoridae, Discoglossidae, Pelobatidae, Rhinophrynidae, Scaphiopodidae, and some species from the Microhylidae family are commonly called "toads". However, the only family exclusively given the common name "toad" is Bufonidae, or the "true toads". Some "true frogs" of the genus Rana have also adapted to burrowing habitats, while a bufonid species in the genus Atelopus are conversely known by the common name "harlequin frogs". Similarly to frogs, toads also display metamorphosis from tadpole to sexually mature adult.
Notes
- "Anura". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 4 May.
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Further reading
- Beltz, Ellin (2005). Frogs: Inside their Remarkable World. Firefly Books. ISBN 1552978699.
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
