Hemiphractidae
Hemiphractidae
Hemiphractidae includes the marsupial frogs and triangular-headed frogs , usually grouped under the name egg-brooding frogs . There are 31 species in Peru , 2 in the Madre de Dios department and 7 in the Manu area of which we include 4 species in this guide . They are diverse in terms of shape and appearance and their colouration ranges from browns and greens to greys and yellows . They are as equally varied in size ranging from small to medium and some larger species . They usually have distinctive skull structures , especially in the case of Hemiphractus .
The members of the family are found throughout Central and South America . Gastrotheca and Hemiphractus species are tipically arboreal . The family exhibits an unusual form of parental care where eggs are carried on the backs of females or in open or closed pouches . The female releases an egg and the male uses his hind legs to position it on her back where it is held in place by a glutinous substance . In most species , the eggs develop directly into froglets avoiding an aquatic phase , and females will still carry the froglets in their backs . However , some species have a tadpole stage in their development .
Gastrotheca nebulanastes