FAMILY ASCAPHIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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The Family Ascaphidae refers to a small group of primitive frogs that belong to the order Anura. These frogs are commonly known as tailed frogs, owing to their distinct, elongated tails. They are found in North America, primarily in the western parts of the United States and Canada.
Tailed frogs are unique among other amphibians due to their specialized adaptations. Their tails serve as an attachment organ, enabling them to cling to rocks in strong currents, particularly in streams and rivers where they reside. This feature, absent in most other frog species, aids them in amphibious locomotion.
Members of the family Ascaphidae have a flattened appearance with slim and slender bodies. They possess relatively small eyes and long legs, which enable them to swim and leap efficiently. Their skin is typically smooth and often appears rough due to tiny tubercles scattered across their dorsal surfaces.
These frogs are predominantly nocturnal, emerging from their hiding spots at dusk to forage for small invertebrates, including insects, larvae, and worms. They have a unique feeding mechanism, using their projectile-like tongue to capture prey with astonishing speed and accuracy.
The mating behavior of tailed frogs is quite fascinating. Males possess an enlarged cloaca that protrudes from their body, resembling a tail, hence the name "tailed frogs." During mating, males emit a soft, high-pitched call to attract females, and following successful courtship, the female lays eggs on the underside of rocks in fast-flowing water. The eggs are guarded by the male until they hatch into tadpoles, which then undergo metamorphosis in the water.
The family Ascaphidae is currently represented by two species: the Coastal Tailed Frog (Ascaphus truei) and the Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog
Common Misspellings for FAMILY ASCAPHIDAE
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Etymology of FAMILY ASCAPHIDAE
The etymology of the word "Family Ascaphidae" can be broken down as follows:
1. Family: The term "family" comes from the Latin word "familia", which refers to a group of people living together and connected by blood ties or marriage. In biology, the term is used to classify a higher taxonomic rank in the classification of organisms. It signifies a group of related genera or species that share common characteristics.
2. Ascaphidae: "Ascaphidae" is the scientific name given to a family of frogs commonly known as tailed frogs. The word "Ascaphidae" is derived from two Greek words: "as-", meaning "without" or "lacking", and "scaph-" meaning "to dig", "to burrow", or "dug up".
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