Hylidae is a wide-ranging

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

frog A frog is any member of a diverse and largely Carnivore, carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians composing the order (biology), order Anura (ανοὐρά, literally ''without tail'' in Ancient Greek). The oldest fossil "proto-f ...

s commonly referred to as "

tree frog A tree frog (or treefrog) is any species of frog that spends a major portion of its lifespan in trees, known as an arboreal state. Several lineages of frogs among the Neobatrachia have given rise to treefrogs, although they are not closely rela ...

s and their allies". However, the hylids include a diversity of frog species, many of which do not live in trees, but are

terrestrial Terrestrial refers to things related to land or the planet Earth. Terrestrial may also refer to: * Terrestrial animal, an animal that lives on land opposed to living in water, or sometimes an animal that lives on or near the ground, as opposed to ...

or semiaquatic.

Taxonomy and systematics

The earliest known fossils that can be assigned to this family are from the

Cretaceous The Cretaceous ( ) is a geological period that lasted from about 145 to 66 million years ago (Mya). It is the third and final period of the Mesozoic Era, as well as the longest. At around 79 million years, it is the longest geological period of th ...

of India and the state of

Wyoming Wyoming () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the south ...

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 The Rhacophoridae are a family of frogs that occur in tropical sub-Saharan Africa, South India and Sri Lanka, Japan, northeastern India to eastern China and Taiwan, south through the Philippines and Greater Sundas, and Sulawesi. They are commonly ...

. The following genera are recognised in the family Hylidae: * Subfamily

Hylinae Hylinae is a large subfamily of "tree frogs", family Hylidae. Classification The contents of this subfamily vary substantially according to the source. The Amphibian Species of the World follows the revision by Duellman and colleagues from 201 ...

** Tribe Cophomantini *** '' Aplastodiscus'' – canebrake treefrogs *** ''

Boana ''Boana'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. They are commonly known as gladiator frogs, gladiator treefrogs or Wagler Neotropical treefrogs. These frogs are distributed in the tropical Central and South America from Nicaragua to Argen ...

'' – gladiator treefrogs *** ''

Bokermannohyla ''Bokermannohyla'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. It was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae. Twenty-three species previously placed in the genus ''Hyla'' were moved to this genus named in honor of Werner Carlo ...

'' *** ''

Hyloscirtus ''Hyloscirtus'' is a genus of Neotropical frogs in the family Hylidae. This genus was resurrected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae, with the distinguishing features being 56 transformations in nuclear and mitochondrial protein ...

'' *** ''

Myersiohyla ''Myersiohyla'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. It was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae and initially included four species that were previously placed in the genus '' Hyla''. The genus is found in the tepui re ...

'' *** ''

Nesorohyla ''Nesorohyla'' is a monotypic genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. The sole species is ''Nesorohyla kanaima'', also known as the Kanaima treefrog. It is endemic to Guyana. and possibly Brazil and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical ...

'' *** '' "Hyla" nicefori'' ** Tribe Dendropsophini ***''

Dendropsophus ''Dendropsophus'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. They are distributed in Central and South America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina and Uruguay. They are sometimes known under the common name Fitzinger neotropical treefrogs ...

'' *** '' Julianus'' *** ''

Lysapsus ''Lysapsus'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae found in South America east of the Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland alo ...

'' – harlequin frogs *** '' Ololygon'' (synonymous with ''Scinax'') *** ''

Pseudis ''Pseudis'' is a genus of South American frogs (swimming frogs) in the family Hylidae. They are often common and frequently heard, but easily overlooked because of their camouflage and lifestyle, living in lakes, ponds, marshes and similar waters ...

'' – swimming frogs *** ''

Scarthyla ''Scarthyla'' is a genus of tree frogs, the family 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 ...

'' – Madre de Dios tree frogs *** ''

Scinax ''Scinax'' is a genus of frogs (snouted treefrogs) in the family Hylidae found in eastern and southern Mexico to Argentina and Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Lucia Saint Lucia ( acf, Sent Lisi, french: Sainte-Lucie) is an islan ...

'' – snouted tree frogs *** ''

Sphaenorhynchus ''Sphaenorhynchus'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. They are also known as lime treefrogs or hatchet-faced treefrogs. They are found in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins of South America, the Guianas, Trinidad, and southern and ea ...

'' – lime tree frogs *** '' Xenohyla ** Tribe Hylini *** '' Acris'' – cricket frogs *** '' Atlantihyla'' *** ''

Bromeliohyla ''Bromeliohyla'', sometimes known as the bromeliad treefrogs, is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae. The original two species in this genus were previously placed in th ...

'' *** ''

Charadrahyla ''Charadrahyla'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to tropical southern Mexico. The generic name was derived from Greek ''charadra'' ("ravine") and ''Hyla'', in reference to the habits of these frogs. Accordingly, common na ...

'' *** ''

Dryophytes ''Dryophytes'' is a genus of Ameroasian tree frogs in the family Hylidae. They are found mostly in North America, but the genus also includes three species found in eastern Asia. Description ''Dryophytes'' consists of small tree-dwelling frog ...

'' – Ameroasian treefrogs *** ''

Duellmanohyla ''Duellmanohyla'' is a genus of frogs (mountain brook frogs) in the family Hylidae found in Oaxaca, Mexico, as well as Central America. These are small stream-breeding frogs have bright red, bronze or yellow irises. Their dorsa are uniform pale ...

'' – brook frogs *** ''

Ecnomiohyla ''Ecnomiohyla'', commonly known as fringe-limbed treefrogs or marvelous frogs, is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of Hylidae. The ten original species in this genus (''E. rabborum ...

'' *** ''

Exerodonta ''Exerodonta'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. This genus was resurrected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylida Eleven species previously placed in the genus ''Hyla ''Hyla'' is a genus of frogs in the tree frog family H ...

'' *** ''

Hyla ''Hyla'' is a genus of frogs in the tree frog family Hylidae. As traditionally defined, it was a wastebasket genus with more than 300 species found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and across the Americas. After a major revision of the family most of th ...

'' – common tree frogs *** ''

Isthmohyla ''Isthmohyla'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae. The 15 species in this genus were previously placed in the genus '' Hyla''. They are endemic to Central America in ...

'' *** ''

Megastomatohyla ''Megastomatohyla'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. They are endemic to the cloud forests of central Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico. All are rare species with restricted distributions. The generic name is derived from Greek ''mega'' (="l ...

'' *** '' Plectrohyla'' – spike-thumb frogs *** ''

Pseudacris ''Pseudacris'' (commonly known as the chorus frogs) is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae found in North America ranging from the Pacific coastline to the Atlantic. The name of the genus comes from the Greek ''pseudes'' (false) and ''akri ...

'' – chorus frogs *** '' Ptychohyla'' – stream frogs *** '' Quilticohyla'' *** '' Rheohyla'' – small-eared treefrog *** '' Sarcohyla'' *** '' Smilisca'' – burrowing frogs *** ''

Tlalocohyla ''Tlalocohyla'' is a genus of frogs in the family 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 i ...

'' *** '' Triprion'' – shovel-headed tree frogs ** Tribe Lophiohylini *** '' Aparasphenodon'' – casque-headed frogs *** '' Argenteohyla'' – Argentinian frogs *** '' Corythomantis'' – casque-headed tree frog *** '' Dryaderces'' *** ''

Itapotihyla ''Itapotihyla'' is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species ''Itapotihyla langsdorffii'', commonly known as the ocellated treefrog. It is found in the Atlantic Forest biome of Brazil, with ...

'' *** '' Nyctimantis'' – brown-eyed tree frogs *** '' Osteocephalus'' – slender-legged tree frogs *** '' Osteopilus'' *** '' Phyllodytes'' – heart-tongued frogs *** '' Phytotriades'' – Trinidad golden treefrogs *** ''

Tepuihyla ''Tepuihyla'', commonly known as Amazon tree frogs or Tepui tree frogs, is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae found in mountains of eastern and south-eastern Venezuela and Guyana, and likely in adjacent Brazil. A tepui is a table-top mountai ...

'' – Amazon tree frogs *** '' Trachycephalus'' – casque-headed tree frog **

Incertae sedis ' () or ''problematica'' is a term used for a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertainty ...

*** '' "Hyla" imitator'' – mimic tree frog * Subfamily

Pelodryadinae Pelodryadinae, also known as Australian treefrogs (although not all members are arboreal), is a subfamily of frogs found in the region of Australia and New Guinea, and have also been introduced to New Caledonia, Guam, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. ...

(Australian tree frogs) ** ''

Litoria ''Litoria'' is a genus of hylid tree frogs, sometimes collectively referred to as Australasian treefrogs, that are native to Australia, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the Moluccan Islan ...

'' ** ''

Nyctimystes ''Nyctimystes'' is a genus of tree frogs in the subfamily Pelodryadinae of the family Hylidae. They are principally Papuan species, but also inhabit islands in the Moluccas. All species in this genus have one distinct feature that separates them ...

'' ** ''

Ranoidea The Ranoidea are a superfamily of frogs in the order Anura. Members of this superfamily are characterised by having the pectoral girdle fused into a single complex unit, having no ribs, and using an axillary grip during amplexus. The larvae ha ...

'' **

*** "''Litoria''" ''castanea'' *** "''Litoria''" ''jeudii'' *** "''Litoria''" ''louisiadensis'' *** "''Litoria''" ''obtusirostris'' *** "''Litoria''" ''vagabunda'' * Subfamily

Phyllomedusinae Phyllomedusinae is a subfamily of hylid tree frogs found in the Neotropics commonly called leaf frogs. Formerly, they were often considered as their own family, Phyllomedusidae. The subfamily is considered to be the sister group to the Austr ...

(leaf frogs) ** ''

Agalychnis ''Agalychnis'' is a genus of tree frog A tree frog (or treefrog) is any species of frog that spends a major portion of its lifespan in trees, known as an arboreal state. Several lineages of frogs among the Neobatrachia have given rise to tre ...

'' ** ''

Callimedusa ''Callimedusa'' is a genus of frogs belonging to the subfamily Phyllomedusinae Phyllomedusinae is a subfamily of hylid tree frogs found in the Neotropics commonly called leaf frogs. Formerly, they were often considered as their own family, ...

'' ** ''

Cruziohyla ''Cruziohyla'' is a genus of frogs in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae. They occur from Nicaragua and Honduras in Central America south to the Amazon Basin in South America. This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae an ...

'' ** ''

Hylomantis ''Hylomantis'' is a genus of tree frogs, the rough leaf frogs, native to the Atlantic forest in eastern Brazil. There are two recognized species; several others formerly placed in this genus now are placed in ''Agalychnis ''Agalychnis'' is a g ...

'' – rough leaf frogs ** ''

Phasmahyla ''Phasmahyla'' is a genus of tree frog A tree frog (or treefrog) is any species of frog that spends a major portion of its lifespan in trees, known as an arboreal state. Several lineages of frogs among the Neobatrachia have given rise to tre ...

'' – shining leaf frogs ** '' Phrynomedusa'' – colored leaf frogs ** ''

Phyllomedusa ''Phyllomedusa'' is a genus of tree frogs in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae found in tropical and subtropical South America (south to northern Argentina) and Panama. It has 16 recognised species. Taxonomy The following species are recognised i ...

'' ** ''

Pithecopus ''Pithecopus'' is a genus of frogs in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae. Species of the genus ''Pithecopus'' are found in tropical South America east of the Andes, from southern Venezuela to northern Argentina. Resurrected from the synonymy of ''Phy ...

'' The subfamilies

and

are sometimes classified as distinct families of their own due to their deep divergence and unique evolutionary history (with Pelodryadinae being the sister group to Phyllomedusinae and colonizing

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

during the

Eocene The Eocene ( ) Epoch is a geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago (mya). It is the second epoch of the Paleogene Period (geology), Period in the modern Cenozoic Era (geology), Era. The name ''Eocene' ...

via

Antarctica Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean, it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest contine ...

, which at the time was not yet frozen over), but are presently retained in the Hylidae.

Description

Most hylids show adaptations suitable for an arboreal lifestyle, including forward-facing eyes providing

binocular vision In biology, binocular vision is a type of vision in which an animal has two eyes capable of facing the same direction to perceive a single three-dimensional image of its surroundings. Binocular vision does not typically refer to vision where an ...

, 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 The European tree frog (''Hyla arborea'') is a small tree frog. As traditionally defined, it was found throughout much of Europe, Asia and northern Africa,Frost, Darrel R. ''Amphibian Species of the World''. Allen Press, Inc., 1985, p. 126. but b ...

(''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 The gray treefrog (''Dryophytes versicolor'') is a species of small arboreal holarctic tree frog native to much of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It is sometimes referred to as the eastern gray treefrog, northern gray tree ...

(''Hyla versicolor'') and the

American green tree frog The American green tree frog (''Dryophytes cinereus'' or ''Hyla cinerea'') is a common arboreal species of New World tree frog belonging to the family Hylidae. This nocturnal insectivore is moderately sized and has a bright green to reddish-brow ...

(''H. cinerea''). The

spring peeper The spring peeper (''Pseudacris crucifer'') is a small chorus frog widespread throughout the eastern United States and Canada. They prefer permanent ponds due to their advantage in avoiding predation; however, they are very adaptable with respect ...

(''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 ''Ranoidea'' is a genus of frogs in the subfamily Pelodryadinae. They are found in Australia, New Guinea, and two nearby groups of islands: the Maluku Islands, and the Louisiade Archipelago. The circumscription of this taxon is still controvers ...

'' are

burrow An Eastern chipmunk at the entrance of its burrow A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to construct a space suitable for habitation or temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of sh ...

ing frogs that spend much of their lives underground.

Breeding

Hylids lay their

eggs Humans and human ancestors have scavenged and eaten animal eggs for millions of years. Humans in Southeast Asia had domesticated chickens and harvested their eggs for food by 1,500 BCE. The most widely consumed eggs are those of fowl, especial ...

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

tadpole A tadpole is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-like features that may not be found i ...

s 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

Image:Hyla gray treefrog.jpg, '' Dryophytes versicolor'', North American gray tree frog Image:Hylidae 001.jpg, ''Hyla japonica'', Japanese tree frog Image:Masked tree frog swimming.JPG, '' Smilisca phaeota'',

Osa Peninsula The Osa Peninsula ( es, Península de Osa) is a peninsula located in southwestern Costa Rica, in the Puntarenas Province, with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Golfo Dulce to the east. The peninsula was formed geologically by a faulting sy ...

Costa Rica Costa Rica (, ; ; literally "Rich Coast"), officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( es, República de Costa Rica), is a country in the Central American region of North America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the no ...

References

*''This article incorporates text from the ''Collier's New Encyclopedia'' (1921).''

External links

Amnh.org: Amphibian Species of the World
{{Authority control Amphibian families Extant Thanetian first appearances Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque

Taxonomy and systematics

Description

Distribution and habitat

Behaviour and ecology

Breeding

Feeding

Gallery

References

Further reading

External links