Intro to Amphibians Materials produced by: Kevin Zippel Amphibian Ark In the end we will conserve only what we value. We will value only that which we understand. We will understand only what we are taught or allowed to experience. - Senegalese conservationist Baba Dioum AMPHIBIANS 101 • from the Greek • creature with a “dual life” – within a lifetime – day to day Breakdown by numbers: • 3 orders • 45 families • 446 genera • 5504 species (Apr 2004) • from www.AmphibiaWeb.org: – “The current number of amphibian species: – 6254 (Dec 29, 2007)” – 6179 (Apr 9, 2007) – 6017 (Apr 17, 2006) FROGS AND TOADS Anura (Salientia) • tailless amphibians, aka anurans • all toads are frogs, not all frogs are toads • on all continents but Antarctica • 33 families, 352 genera, 4837 species (88%) • long legs, no tail, fused/reduced vertebrae • distinct larvae • diversity of reproductive modes • 1 to 40 cm (0.4” to 16”) “RANIDAE” • Rana catesbeiana - bullfrog “RANIDAE” • Conraua goliath - Goliath frog NEWTS AND SALAMANDERS Caudata (Urodela) • tailed amphibians, aka caudates (urodeles) • primarily northern hemisphere • 10 families, 61 genera, 502 species (9%) • 3 cm – 2 m (1”+ - 5’+) • built as generalists, lizard-like • almost every habitat (ex. extreme desert) • most with internal fertilization (spermatophore) and direct development PLETHODONTIDAE: Plethodontinae • Aneides aeneus - green salamander