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| − | {{Taxobox_begin | color = pink | name = Frogs}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_image | image = [[Image:Pobblebonk.jpg|250px]] | caption = [[Pobblebonk]], Australia}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_begin_placement | color = pink}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_regnum_entry | taxon = [[Animal|Animalia]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_phylum_entry | taxon = [[Chordate|Chordata]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_classis_entry | taxon = [[Amphibia]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_ordo_entry | taxon = [[Anura]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_end_placement}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_section_subdivision | color = pink | plural_taxon = Suborders}}
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| − | [[Archaeobatrachia]]<br />
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| − | [[Mesobatrachia]]<br />
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| − | [[Neobatrachia]]<br />
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| − | [[Anura (family list)| Full list of families]]
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| − | {{Taxobox_end}}
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| − | '''Frog''' is the common name for [[amphibian]]s in the order, Anura. There is often a distinction made between frogs and [[toad]]s, based on appearance, however there is no scientific distinction. The only family exclusively given the common name "toad" is [[Bufonidae]], but many species from various other families are also called "toads". "[[True frog]]s" are of the family Ranidae.
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| − | ==Characteristics==
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| − | {{main|Frog zoology}}
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| − | Due to the large diversity of frogs (over 4000 species), many characteristics are not shared throughout all of the species. However, there are some characteristics which distinguish them from other amphibians. Frogs are generally well suited to jumping, and have long hind legs, with elongated ankle bones. They have a short vertebral column, with no more than ten free vertebrae, followed by a fused tail bone, usually resulting in a frog with no tail.
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| − | Frogs range in size from 10mm (''[[Psyllophryne didactyla]]'' of [[Brazil]] and ''[[Eleutherodactylus iberia]]'' of [[Cuba]]) to 300mm ([[Goliath frog]], ''Conraua goliath'', of [[Cameroon]]).
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| − | The skin is unkeratinized and hangs loosely on the body because of the lack of [[loose connective tissue]], and can be smooth, warty or have skin folds. Frogs have three eyelid membranes: one transparent to protect the eyes underwater, and two which are translucent to opaque. They have a [[tympanum]] on each side of their head, which is involved in hearing, and is covered by skin in some species.
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| − | [[Image:Rana_skeleton.png|thumb|Skeleton of ''Rana'']]
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| − | ===Call===
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| − | The males of most species of frogs will call for a variety of reasons. It will call by passing air through the [[larynx]], in the throat. In most calling frogs, the sound is amplified by the vocal sac(s). The vocal sac, is a membrane of skin under the throat, which distends during the amplification of the call. Each call is unique to a species.
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| − | The main reason for calling, is for the male to attract a mate. Males will either call in a group, called a chorus, or individually. A male frog will emit a different call when mounted by another male. Both of these calls are emitted with the mouth of the frog closed.
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| − | A distress call is emitted by some frogs when they are in a position of danger. This is done with the mouth open, and usually results in a higher pitched call. The effectiveness of the call is unknown, however it is suspected the call intrigues the predator, until another animal is attracted, distracting them enough for its escape.
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| − | Many species of frog have deep calls, or croaks. Frog noise tends to be spelt (for English speakers) as "crrrrk" in [[Britain]] and "ribbit" in the [[USA]]. This difference is due to the different species within each region(e.g. [[Common frog]] (''Rana temporaria'') in Britain and [[Leopard frog]] (''Rana pipiens'') in the USA). The croak of the [[bullfrog| American bullfrog]] (''Rana catesbiana'') is sometimes spelt "jug o' rum".
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| − | ===Poison===
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| − | Some species of frog secrete [[toxin]]s from their skin. These toxins deter predatory animals from eating them, and some are extremely poisonous to humans. Generally the frog obtains the poison from the insects or animals they eat. The Australian [[corroboree frog]]s ''pseudophryne corroboree'' and ''pseudophryne pengilleyi'' have been discovered to be able to manufacture a unique [[alkaloid]] which is not derived from their diet (Daly). Some natives of the [[Amazon_Rainforest|Amazon]] area extract poison from the [[poison dart frog]] and put it on their [[dart]]s when hunting. It was previously a misconception that the poison was placed on arrows rather than darts. The name of the frog was changed from [[poison arrow frog]] to poison dart frog in the early 1980's. Poisonous frogs tend to advertise their toxicity with bright colours.
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| − | ==Distribution and status==
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| − | Frogs are found nearly worldwide, but they do not occur in [[Antarctica]] and are not present on many oceanic islands.
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| − | In many parts of the world, the [[Decline in frog populations|frog populations have declined]] drastically since the 1950s. Many environmental scientists feel that amphibians, and frogs in particular, may be excellent biological indicators of ecosystem function because of their location on the food web, their permeable skins and their typically bi-phasic life (in both water and on land). Although habitat loss is certainly one of the most important features of most declines; pollutants, climate change, introduction of non-indigenous predators/competitors, and infectious diseases (see [[Chytrid fungus]]) have also been implicated.
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| − | [[Image:Dscn1922-frog.jpg|thumb|right|Frog skeleton]]
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| − | ==Life cycle==
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| − | The life cycle of frogs contains many stages. Typically, the male frogs of a species will assemble at a still water source. They will then call, collectively becoming a chorus of frogs. The call is unique to the species, and will attract females of that species.
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| − | The male and female frog, will then undergo [[amplexus]]. This involves the male mounting the female. The female then releases her eggs, which the male frog covers with a sperm solution before the eggs make contact with the water. Once the eggs come in contact with the water, they will swell, and form a protective coating. The eggs are typically brown or black, with a clear, gelatine like, covering.
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| − | The eggs will hatch after a short time, releasing [[tadpoles]]. The tadpoles are entirely aquatic, and undergo the most develpoment in the life cycle. They will undergo [[metamorphisis]], in which they will develop legs, and lungs, to become a froglet, resembling an adult but retaining a vestigial tail. Finally the froglet develops into an adult frog. Typically, tadpoles are [[herbivore]]s, feeding mostly on [[alga]]e, whereas juvenile and adult frogs are rather voracious [[carnivore]]s.
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| − | Most temperate species of frog reproduce in the period between late autumn to early spring. In the [[UK]] most common frog populations produce frogspawn in February although there is wide variation in timing. Water temperatures at this time of year are relatively low and typically between four and 10 degrees celsius. Reproducing in these conditions helps the developing tadpoles because dissolved oxygen concentrations in the water are highest at cold temperatures. More importantly, reproducing early in the season ensures that appropriate food is available to the developing frogs at the right time.
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| − | <gallery>
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| − | Image:Frogspawn closeup.JPG|Frogspawn
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| − | Image:Tadpoles 10 days.JPG|10 days: Tadpoles
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| − | Image:Frog-Zhe.jpg|8–12 weeks: Froglet
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| − | Image:Green-leopard-frog-in-swamp.jpg|12–16 weeks: Adult frog
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| − | </gallery>
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| − | ==Diet and Predators==
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| − | All adult frogs are [[carnivore]]s, and usually eat invertebrates such as: [[insect]]s, [[worm]]s and [[spider]]s. However, a few of the larger species may eat larger prey, such as small [[mammal]]s, [[fish]] and smaller frogs. Some frogs use their sticky tongues effectively in catching fast-moving prey, while others capture their prey, and force it into their mouth with their hands.
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| − | Most tadpoles are [[herbivore]]s, eating moss, or filtering small plant particles through their [[gill]]s. During the process of metamorphisis, their intestine will shorten to accomodate a carnivorous diet. Some species of frogs are carniverous at the tadpole stage, and will usually eat small larvae and small fish.
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| − | Many animals eat frogs. These include [[birds]], large fish, [[snake]]s [[otter]]s, [[fox]]es, [[badger]]s, [[coati]]s etc. Tadpoles and eggs are predated by fish, and birds such as [[king fishers]].
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| − | ==Taxonomy==
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| − | A problem commonly associated with Anurans, is the distinction between frogs and toads. This distinction has no scientific basis, and only refers to the common name of a species. Most frogs in the Ranidae family (true frogs) and Hylidae family (tree frogs) are considered frogs, whereas all those within the Bufonidae family (true toads) are considered toads. However, many families, and even genera, have a mixture of frogs and toads, so there is no taxonomic basis.
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| − | The distinction between frogs and toads usually given to the Anurans is; frogs are smooth and moist skinned, while toads have dry, warty skin.
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| − | ==Frogs in popular culture==
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| − | Frogs feature prominently in [[folklore]] and [[fairy tale|fairy tales]] in many cultures, such as the story of ''[[The Frog Prince]]''. Similarly, numerous [[fantasy]] settings (such as the [[Final Fantasy]] [[videogames]]) include [[spells (paranormal)|magic spells]] that turn people into frogs, such as the [[Frog (Chrono Trigger)| frog]] character in the [[videogame]] [[Chrono Trigger]].
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| − | *In the 1992 animated movie [[Freddie as FRO7]], Frederick, an enchanted frog prince with magical powers, becomes a modern-day secret agent.
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| − | *The [[Crazy Frog]] is a [[cartoon]] creature resembling a frog, the character of the most downloaded ringtone in the [[United Kingdom | UK]].
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| − | *Probably the most famous frog in the entertainment world is the [[Muppet]] character [[Kermit the Frog]].
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| − | *Until recently, the American TV network The WB ([[Warner Brothers]]) used [[Michigan J. Frog]], a frog in a tuxedo as their logo. Michigan J. Frog was the singing, dancing star of the [[1955]] Warner cartoon, "[[One Froggy Evening]]".
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| − | *''[[Frogger]]'' is an early electronic [[arcade game]] which features a frog that must cross a busy road and river.
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| − | *Frogs fall from the sky in various urban myths and notably in the movie [[Magnolia (film)|Magnolia]]. This may derive from incidents when frogs are picked up by a [[tornado]], or when a sudden migration of frogs happens overnight.
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| − | *The behavior of frogs illustrating nonaction is a myth. ("Take a pot of hot water and a frog. Throw the frog into the pot. What do you think will happen? The obvious, of course: the frog will jump out. Who likes hanging around in a pot of hot water? Now ... [t]ake a pot of cold water, put the frog in it, and place the pot on the stove. Turn on the heat. This time something different will occur. The frog, because of the incremental change in temperature, will not notice that it is slowly being boiled." from "Life and Death in the Executive Fast Lane" by Manfred Kets de Vries) Professor Doug Melton, Harvard University Biology Department, says, "If you put a frog in boiling water, it won't jump out. It will die. If you put it in cold water, it will jump before it gets hot -- they don't sit still for you." [http://www.fastcompany.com/online/01/frog.html] A frog put anywhere that doesn't kill it will jump, "they don't sit still for you."
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| − | *[[Paul McCartney]]'s "[[Rupert Bear| Rupert]] and the Frog Song" was released in [[1984]] and reached no.3 in the British Charts.
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | {{commons|Frog}}
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| − | {{cookbook}}
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| − | * [http://www-itg.lbl.gov/ITG.hm.pg.docs/Whole.Frog/Whole.Frog.html The Whole Frog Project] - Virtual frog dissection and anatomy
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| − | * ''[http://raysweb.net/specialplaces/pages/frogsdecline.html Disappearance of toads, frogs has some scientists worried]'' - ''San Francisco Chronicle'', April 20, 1992
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| − | *[http://www.thelilypad.org/ The Lily Pad] - Frog information, care, and culture
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| − | * [http://www.racingfrogs.org Racing Frogs Game] - Create, Train, Motivate and Feed your own little froggy friend
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| − | * [http://www.frogsonice.com/froggy/ The Froggy Page] - Frog fun
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| − | * [http://www.dartden.com Dart Den] - Dart frog resource and forums
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| − | * [http://www.xenbase.org/ Xenbase] - A ''Xenopus laevis'' and ''tropicalis'' Web Resource
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| − | * [http://markus.nolf.org/blog.php?p=160 Time-lapse video showing the egg's development until hatching]
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| − | * [http://www.movie-monsters.co.uk/frogs.html Frogs (1977) - when frogs go bad]
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| − | ==Giggin' Frogs==
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| − | According to the Hillbilly Dictionary, this is a way to keep the frog (bullfrog) population under control. People do this by gigging them with a frog gigger. A frog gigger is just a long stick with a pitch fork at one end. For some people this event usually involves alcohol. During seasons with heightened frog populations people wait until nightfall, then sharpen their giggers with sandpapper and go out to breeding grounds with a flashlight. Once they are there they shine the light on the frogs to freeze them, and then gig them. The goal for many is to find the "giant bullfrog."
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| − | {{Link FA|eo}}
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| − | [[Category:Frogs]]
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| − | [[ar:ضفدع]]
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| − | [[ast:Xaronca]]
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| − | [[ca:Granota]]
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| − | [[cs:Žáby]]
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| − | [[da:Frø (padde)]]
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| − | [[de:Froschlurche]]
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| − | [[es:Rana]]
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| − | [[eo:Rano]]
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| − | [[fr:Grenouille]]
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| − | [[he:צפרדע]]
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| − | [[li:Kwakkers]]
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| − | [[nl:Kikker]]
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| − | [[no:Frosk]]
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| − | [[ja:カエル]]
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| − | [[pl:żaba]]
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| − | [[pt:Rã]]
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| − | [[simple:frog]]
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| − | [[sv:Grodor]]
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