Leiopelma: Difference between revisions
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'''Leiopelmatidae''', or ''New Zealand primitive frogs'' |
'''Leiopelmatidae''', or '''New Zealand primitive frogs''', belong to [[suborder]] [[archaeobatrachia]]. Their belonging to this suborder suggests they are an ancient [[family]]. Only four species are known, or believed to belong to the family. Furthermore, as the common name suggests, they are only found in [[New Zealand]]. |
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Their defining characteristics are the extra [[vertebrae]] (bringing |
Their defining characteristics are the extra [[vertebrae]] (bringing the total to nine) and muscles allowing the capacity for tail wagging. The family [[Ascaphidae]], of the same suborder, share these "unique" characteristics, and hence the two have often been described as related, or even part of the same family. |
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Physically, and again similar to ascaphidae, they are extremely small (5 centimetres). Preferring damp conditions, eggs are laid, fertilised, and after hatching the [[larvae]] nest in the male's back. Lifespan may be extremely high (>30 years) for such small organisms (Bell ''et al.'' 2004)^. |
Physically, and again similar to ascaphidae, they are extremely small (5 centimetres). Preferring damp conditions, eggs are laid, fertilised, and after hatching the [[larvae]] nest in the male's back, all without the need for standing or flowing water. Lifespan may be extremely high (>30 years) for such small organisms (Bell ''et al.'' 2004)^. |
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3 species: |
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* ''[[Leiopelma auroraensis]]'' |
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* ''[[Leiopelma markhami]]'' |
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* ''[[Leiopelma waitomoensis]]'' |
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==Species== |
==Species== |
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Revision as of 09:03, 8 May 2006
| Leiopelmatidae | |
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| Family: | Leiopelmatidae
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| Genus: | Leiopelma
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See text | |
Leiopelmatidae, or New Zealand primitive frogs, belong to suborder archaeobatrachia. Their belonging to this suborder suggests they are an ancient family. Only four species are known, or believed to belong to the family. Furthermore, as the common name suggests, they are only found in New Zealand.
Their defining characteristics are the extra vertebrae (bringing the total to nine) and muscles allowing the capacity for tail wagging. The family Ascaphidae, of the same suborder, share these "unique" characteristics, and hence the two have often been described as related, or even part of the same family.
Physically, and again similar to ascaphidae, they are extremely small (5 centimetres). Preferring damp conditions, eggs are laid, fertilised, and after hatching the larvae nest in the male's back, all without the need for standing or flowing water. Lifespan may be extremely high (>30 years) for such small organisms (Bell et al. 2004)^.
3 species:
are known by subfossil remains. They became extinct during the past 1000 years.
Species
- Genus Leiopelma
References
- Bell, Ben D. et al. (2004): "The fate of a population of the endemic frog Leiopelma pakeka (Anura: Leiopelmatidae) translocated to restored habitat on Maud Island, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Zoology vol.31 pp.123-131.
- Roelants, Kim (2005). "Archaeobatrachian paraphyly and pangaean diversification of crown-group frogs". Systematic Biology. 54: 111–126.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - San Mauro, Diego (2005). "Initial diversification of living amphibians predated the breakup of Pangaea". American Naturalist. 165: 590–599.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)