Southern Frogs of Zihuatanejo

FAMILY LEPTODACTYLIDAE

• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

• Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

• Amphibians (Class Amphibia)

• Frogs and Toads (Order Anura)

• Southern Frogs (Family Leptodactylidae)

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Family Leptodactylidae is a family of frogs within the order Anura, found primarily in Central and South America, with some species extending into the Caribbean and southern North America. Members of this family are highly diverse in size, appearance, and habitat preferences, occupying environments ranging from tropical rainforests and wetlands to grasslands and semi-arid regions. They are generally characterized by robust bodies, well-developed hind limbs, and adaptations for terrestrial or semi-aquatic lifestyles. A notable feature of many leptodactylid frogs is their reproductive diversity; several species construct foam nests in which eggs develop, providing protection from predators and desiccation.

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​The Sabinal Frog (Leptodactylus melanonotus) is the the only species of Southern Frog (family Leptodactylidae) documented in the Zihuatanejo area.