Glass frog
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The Centrolenidae, is a family of order Anura consisting of members commonly known as glass frogs. The group is characterized by the presence of some degree of translucency in the skin of the abdomen, which is caused by lack of pigment, through which bones, muscles, and the internal viscera can be seen. Most glass frogs are primarily green in colour. Glass frogs are native to the rainforests of Central America and the northernmost countries of South America, extending to parts of Brazil and Paraguay.
Centrolenids are a mostly arboreal family of frogs consisting of just three genera, listed below. The eggs are usually deposited on large tree leaves hanging over the running water of streams, creeks, and small rivers, and the method of egg-laying on the leaf is species-specific. The males will call from above the water. The eggs are much less vulnerable to predators than those laid within water, however there is a large risk of parasitism caused by a fly laying its larvae into the egg, so they are protected by one of the parents – usually the father. After they hatch, the tadpoles fall into the waters below. Some of the larger species will lay their eggs on rocks within streams.
The tadpoles are elongate, with powerful tails and low fins, suited for fast flowing water.
Scientific classification
- Centrolene Jiménez de la Espada, 1872.
- Cochranella Taylor, 1951.
- Hyalinobatrachium Ruiz-Carranza et Lynch, 1991.
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