Phyllomedusa

Phyllomedusa is a genus of tree frogs in the family Phyllomedusidae.  These frogs live in tropical and subtropical South America and Panama. There are 16 species in this genus.

Secretion
Some Phyllomedusa frogs make a waxy substance that stops water from leaving their bodies through their skins. If the frogs begin to dry out, they spread the waxy substance over their skin.

Reproduction
These frogs put their eggs on leaves above water.  They put jelly next to the eggs.  Then the frogs fold the leaves around the eggs with their legs.  The jelly acts as a plug so the eggs do not fall out.  When the tadpoles hatch, the jelly turns to liquid and the tadpoles fall through into the water below.

Scientific classification

Most of these species are in Phyllomedusa, but some scientists say some of these frogs should be in Pithecopus instead.

 Phyllomedusa azurea (in Pithecopus)
 Phyllomedusa bahiana
 Phyllomedusa bicolor, giant leaf frog
 Phyllomedusa boliviana
 Phyllomedusa burmeisteri, Burmeister's leaf frog
 Phyllomedusa camba, black-eyed monkey frog
 Phyllomedusa chaparroi
 Phyllomedusa coelestis
 Phyllomedusa distincta
 Phyllomedusa iheringii
 Phyllomedusa neildi
 Phyllomedusa sauvagii, painted-belly leaf frog
 Phyllomedusa tarsius, tarsier leaf frog
 Phyllomedusa tetraploidea
 Phyllomedusa trinitatis
 Phyllomedusa vaillantii, white-lined leaf frog
 Phyllomedusa venusta, lovely leaf frog

Scientists used to put some other frogs in Phyllomedusa, but now they put them in other phyllomedusid genera: Callimedusa and Pithecopus.

References

Further reading

Other websites
Phyllomedusa Gallery with some infos
Use of the Phyllomedusa bicolor venom as a vaccine by the Matses Indians, with pharmacological info

Category:Frogs of South America