Ceratophrys

Jewelry Horned Frog ( Ceratophrys ornata )

The horn frogs or Ornate Horned Frogs ( Ceratophrys ) are a genus of frogs and toads ( Anura ), which are native with eight species in South America. The German name is based on a horn-like tip over each eye, particularly marked in Painted Horned Frog ( Ceratophrys cornuta ) and the sign frog ( Ceratophrys aurita ).

Features

Its round body shape and her huge mouth, the ( " Wide-mouthed frogs " ) has introduced them in English the name wide-mouthed frogs, horn frogs act like a ball with its mouth. The coloration consists of irregular patches, which blur the contours of the animal ( Somatolyse ). Some species have a bone plate in the dorsal skin, which is integral with Ceratophrys aurita in several parts, with Ceratophrys ornata. The males are depending on the type 10 to 13 cm, females 15 to 20 cm tall.

The describer, Prince Maximilian of Wied - Neuwied, gave the genus the German name " Horny Toad " because they carry a " conical erect tip " on each eyelid.

Way of life

Horn Frogs are highseat that dig in moss, leaves or loose soil and motionless waiting for prey, which they reached by a jump. Food animals are, in varying degrees depending on the size of the frog ratio, insects, spiders, small rodents, lizards, young birds and other amphibians ( including smaller conspecifics ). For terrariums friends they are known for their simple prey scheme: try to eat everything that moves and fits in their big mouths.

Taxonomy

Previously, the horn frogs were counted to the family of Südfrösche ( Leptodactylidae broader sense ). After its dissolution, they are now the namesake of the Ceratophryidae family and subfamily contained therein Ceratophryinae. The 2008 Madagascar proven fossil taxon Beelzebufo is, in spite of the geographical location, considered sister taxon of the Horn frogs.

As a type species of the genus " the common Horn Toad " Ceratophrys varius was described from the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro by Maximilian zu Wied - Neuwied 1824. It turned out later that the same kind of a year had been previously described by Raddi as Bufo auritus. This was later elected because of the rule of priority, the name Ceratophrys aurita for the type species of the genus Ceratophrys. Also, the Painted Horned Frog ( Ceratophrys cornuta ) in 1758, already described by Carl Linnaeus as Rana cornuta now belongs to the genus Ceratophrys.

  • Ceratophrys aurita ( Raddi, 1823) - Shield Frog
  • Ceratophrys calcarata Boulenger, 1890
  • Ceratophrys cornuta (Linnaeus, 1758) - Surinam Horned Frog or Painted
  • Ceratophrys cranwelli Barrio, 1980 - Chaco Horned Frog
  • Ceratophrys joazeirensis Mercadal, 1986
  • Ceratophrys ornata (Bell, 1843) - Argentine Horned Frog or jewelry
  • Ceratophrys stolzmanni Steindachner, 1882
  • Ceratophrys testudo Andersson, 1945
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