Synopsis "Field Guide to the Frogs & Other Amphibians of Africa (in English)"
815 species of amphibian have been described on the African continent – 788 frogs, 23 caecilians and four salamanders. Field Guide to the Frogs & other Amphibians of Africa is the first guide ever to cover all these species. It features a brief introduction with tips for handling and identifying amphibians and a useful illustrated guide to each family group serves as a first step towards species ID. Species accounts describe physical features, distribution, habitat, biology, advertisement calls and conservation status, and are supported by colour photographs and up-to-date distribution maps. This guide will prove invaluable to nature lovers, tour guides, students and scientists.Table of ContentsIntroduction 6Breeding and development 7Amphibians as prey and predators 7Distribution and habitat 7Finding and handling amphibians 8Arrangement of the book 10How to identify an amphibian 14Glossary 15Photographic guide to groups 18Caecilians 28African Caecilians(Boulengerula, Herpele) 28Buried-eyed Caecilians(Crotaphatrema, Scolecomorphus) 30Tropical African Caecilians(Schistometopum, Geotrypetes) 32Indo-African Caecilians(Sylvacaecilia, Idiocranium) 34Newts and salamanders 36Frogs 38Midwife Toads (Alytes) 38Painted Frogs (Discoglossus) 38Dwarf Clawed Frogs(Hymenochirus, Pseudhymenochirus) 40Clawed Frogs (Xenopus) 42Ghost Frogs(Hadromophryne, Heleophryne) 52Common Toads (Barbarophryne,Bufo, Bufotes, Sclerophrys) 56Van Dijk’s Toads (Vandijkophrynus) 76Pygmy Toads (Poyntonophrynus) 78Red Toads (Schismaderma) 82Alpine Toads (Altiphrynoides) 82Mountain Toadlets (Capensibufo) 84Forest Toads (Mertensophryne) 86Metallic Toads (Churamiti) 90Tree Toads (Nectophryne) 92Dwarf Toads (Didynamipus) 94Forest Tree Toads (Wolterstorffina) 94Parker’s Tree Toads (Laurentophryne) 96Torrent Toads (Werneria) 98Nimba Toads (Nimbaphrynoides) 102Viviparous Toads (Nectophrynoides) 102Rubber Frogs (Phrynomantis) 108Three-fingered Frogs (Hoplophryne) 110Black-banded Frogs (Parhoplophryne) 112Piglet Frogs (Hemisus) 112Rain Frogs (Breviceps, Balebreviceps) 116Forest Frogs (Probreviceps) 124Cave Frogs (Spelaeophryne) 126Warty Frogs (Callulina) 126Spiny Frogs (Acanthixalus) 130Wot-Wots (Phlyctimantis) 132Running Frogs(Kassina, Semnodactylus) 136Clicking Frogs (Kassinula) 146Mountain Kassinas (Paracassina) 146Green-eyed Frogs (Cryptothylax) 148Copper Frogs (Chrysobatrachus) 148Painted Frogs (Callixalus) 150Blue-Eyed Frogs (Morerella) 150Orange Frogs (Opisthothylax) 152Spiny Reed Frogs (Afrixalus) 152Harlequin Frogs (Arlequinus) 166Egg-guarding Frogs (Alexteroon) 168Reed Frogs (Hyperolius) 170Foam-nest Frogs (Chiromantis) 210Northern Tree Frogs (Hyla) 212Tree Frogs (Leptopelis) 212Night Frogs (Astylosternus) 230Cat-eyed Frogs (Nyctibates) 236Gabon Forest Frogs (Scotobleps) 238Hairy Frogs (Trichobatrachus) 238Long-fingered Frogs (Cardioglossa) 240Egg Frogs (Leptodactylodon) 246Squeakers (Arthroleptis) 254Puddle Frogs (Phrynobatrachus) 270Toothed Frogs (Odontobatrachus) 314Bale Mountain Frogs (Ericabatrachus) 316Torrent Frogs(Arthroleptides, Petropedetes) 316Ornate Frogs (Hildebrandtia) 322Lanza’s Frogs (Lanzarana) 324Grass Frogs (Ptychadena) 324Giant Frogs (Conraua) 346Tiger Frogs (Hoplobatrachus) 350Fishing Frogs (Aubria) 352River Frogs (Amietia) 352Stream Frogs (Strongylopus) 358Chirping Frogs (Anhydrophryne) 362Moss Frogs (Arthroleptella) 364Dainty Frogs (Cacosternum) 368Micro Frogs (Microbatrachella) 374Kloof Frogs (Natalobatrachus) 374Mongrel Frogs (Nothophryne) 374Marsh Frogs (Poyntonia) 376Bullfrogs (Pyxicephalus) 376Sand Frogs (Tomopterna) 378Spadefoot Toads (Pelobates) 384Green Frogs (Pelophylax) 384White-lipped Frogs (Amnirana) 386Taxonomy 396Further reading 398Index to scientific names 399Index to common names 403Political map of Africa 408
