Phyllomedusa

Phyllomedusa
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Waxy monkey leaf frog (Phyllomedusa sauvagii)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Lissamphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Hylidae
Subfamily:	Phyllomedusinae
Genus:	Phyllomedusa Wagler, 1830
Species
See text

Phyllomedusa is a genus of tree frog from Central and South America. It ranges from Costa Rica southward to Argentina. It has around 30 species.

Secretion

Some Phyllomedusa species produce a waxy secretion that reduces the evaporative water loss of their bodies. If they begin to dry out, they move their limbs over their backs, where the secretory glands are, and spread the lipid secretion over their entire skin.

Some indigenous groups from South America use the secretions of Phyllomedusa bicolor, the giant leaf frog, in shamanic hunting practices. The substance is said to intoxicate the hunters who ingest it, causing them to temporarily improve their sensorial capacities.

File:Phyllomedusa stride 30fps.gif

Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis walking up a near-vertical surface

Reproduction

In this genus of tree frogs, eggs are deposited on a leaf surface, interspersed with hydrating jelly capsules. During the mating process, the frogs fold the leaf around their batch of eggs using their limbs, with a jelly plug at the bottom of the folded leaf to prevent the eggs from falling out. At hatching, the jelly plug is liquified, and the tadpoles drop through the previously plugged hole. These nests are made above water, so the tadpoles drop into a suitable habitat, where they begin their lives as filter feeders.

Scientific classification

• Family Hylidae
  • Genus Phyllomedusa
    • Phyllomedusa araguari
    • Phyllomedusa atelopoides
    • Phyllomedusa ayeaye
    • Phyllomedusa azurea, southern orange-legged leaf frog
    • Phyllomedusa bahiana
    • Phyllomedusa baltea
    • Phyllomedusa bicolor, giant leaf frog
    • Phyllomedusa boliviana
    • Phyllomedusa burmeisteri, Burmeister's leaf frog
    • Phyllomedusa camba
    • Phyllomedusa centralis
    • Phyllomedusa coelestis
    • Phyllomedusa distincta
    • Phyllomedusa duellmani
    • Phyllomedusa ecuatoriana
    • Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis, northern orange-legged leaf frog
    • Phyllomedusa iheringii
    • Phyllomedusa itacolomi
    • Phyllomedusa neildi
    • Phyllomedusa nordestina
    • Phyllomedusa oreades
    • Phyllomedusa palliata
    • Phyllomedusa perinesos
    • Phyllomedusa rohdei
    • Phyllomedusa sauvagii, waxy monkey leaf frog
    • Phyllomedusa tarsius, tarsier leaf frog
    • Phyllomedusa tetraploidea
    • Phyllomedusa tomopterna, barred leaf frog
    • Phyllomedusa trinitatis
    • Phyllomedusa vaillantii
    • Phyllomedusa venusta

Captivity

Two species, the waxy monkey tree frog (Phyllomedusa sauvagii) and the tiger-legged monkey frog (Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis) are known to be kept in captivity.

External links

• Phyllomedusa Gallery with some infos
• Use of the Phyllomedusa bicolor venom as a vaccine by the Matses Indians, with pharmacological info