Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, José Luis Cartes, Rebecca Zarza and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
CERATOPHRYIDAE - HORNED TOADS
Five species recorded in Paraguay classified into three different genera. Though toad-like, and despite the common name, the Ceratophryids are actually frogs and the family was, until recently, treated as a subfamily of a larger Leptodactylidae. Ceratophryids large, terrestrial and semi-aquatic frogs. They have a large head, a huge mouth and adults are frequently cannibalistic. They exhibit 8 free procoelous, holochordal presacral vertebrae. Ribs are absent. The urostyle is free with two condyles and the pectoral girdle arciferal. Sternum cartilaginous with a cartilaginous omosternum present. The clavicle does not overlie the scapular. Palatines are present. Teeth present on the maxilla and premaxilla, those on the former being long, pointed and non-pedicellate - Ceratophryids are aggressive and capable of giving a nasty bite. Astralagus and calcaneum are fused only at the ends. No intercalary phalanges. The sartorius is a separate and distinct muscle. Eggs and larvae aquatic. 2n=26, some species are polyploid. Sperm with two unequal tail filaments.
REFERENCES
Cei JM 1980 - Amphibians of Argentina - Monitore Zoologico Italiano Monografia 2.
Fouquette MJ (undated) - Synopsis of Recent Amphibians to Genus - Arizona University.
