|
Amphibians reach their greatest diversity in the tropics, particularly in the
moist and hot environment of tropical rainforest and freshwater swamp forest.
Southeast Asia is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots for amphibians, where
a remarkable evolutionary explosion has resulted in incredible diversity of
form, colour and lifestyle: over 700 species occur in the region. Frogs
are to be found
in the shallowest
puddles, hiding under leaf litter, making their foam nests in streamside
vegetation or calling incessantly from treeholes.
Frogs reach their greatest evolutionary expression in the diverse family of
Asian Tree Frogs (Rhacophoridae), which includes
the spectacular 'Flying Frogs', many of which have evolved extensive webbing
between their toes which allows them to glide from tree to tree. Equally
remarkable are the tiny Narrow-mouthed Frogs
or Chorus Frogs (Microhylidae) : these are often heard but rarely seen, as they
measure just 2 cm long. Their jumping ability is quite remarkable as they can
easily leap more than a metre or so i.e. more than 50 times body length !
Over 50 of Southeast Asia's frogs are presented here ... and another 50 from
Papua New Guinea are listed on a separate page.
|
