Ceuthomantidae

Ceuthomantidae A monotypic family of South American frogs described by Heinicke et al. (2009) from the Guiana Highlands in northeastern South America. They occur at elevations of 490-1540 m on slopes and summits of this mountain system. [IMG_1] Morphology and diagnostic traits: T-shaped terminal phalanges; paired lipid-containing protrusions of unknown function located on the nape and on the dorsal sacral region. They resemble typical dorsal glands but are not glands or their derivatives. Skull weakly calcified; vomerine teeth absent. Head narrow. Terminal phalanges with disc-shaped pads. Ecology: secretive arboreal lifestyle. During the day they can be observed on rocky slopes; at night they may burrow up to 1 m into the ground. Reproduction: direct development; eggs large and unpigmented, typically terrestrial in type, though these data are not confirmed for some species of the genus. Embryos possess an egg tooth. Nuptial coloration absent. [IMG_2] [IMG_3] Ceuthomantis smaragdinus Sources: 1. https://amphibiaweb.org 2. https://research.amnh.org/