Phylum Chordata Rank Genus | Scientific name Phyllodytes Higher classification Lophyohylinae Order Frog | |
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Lower classifications Yellow heart‑tongued frog, Phytotriades, Bahia heart‑tongued frog, Phyllodytes edelmoi, Alagoas heart‑tongued frog | ||
Phyllodytes is a genus of frogs (heart-tongued frogs) in the Hylidae family. It is endemic to eastern Brazil.
Contents
Taxonomy
Based on genetic evidence, genus Phytotriades was erected in 2009 to remedy polyphyly of Phyllodytes as then defined. It remains to be elucidated which Phyllodytes species, apart from Phytotriades (=Phyllodytes) auratus, the type species of the genus Phytotriades, might belong to Phytotriades instead of Phyllodytes. With Phytotriades auratus from Trinidad and Venezuela placed in its own genus, the remaining Phyllodytes species are all endemic to Brazil.
Description
These are small arboreal frogs which live and breed exclusively on epiphytic bromeliad plants. They have large odontoids ("fangs") on the dentaries. Male Phyllodytes do vocalize, in contrast to Phytotriades.
Species
This genus includes 11 species:
AmphibiaWeb continues to include Phytotriades auratus in this genus.