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Explanation
Of Common
Technical Terms
Used In Frog Descriptions.
Courtesy of the
Tablelands Frog Club
by Wayne Martin
Like most fields of
scientific endeavour, herpetology (the study of frogs and reptiles) involves a
certain amount of jargon. In this section I will attempt to explain the terms
he uses. I will provide other definitions as required in forthcoming
newsletters. Over time you will be able to build up a dictionary of common
terms.
tympanum:
The frogs eardrum, located on the side of the head, behind the eye.
supratympanic
fold:
A fold of skin laying along the upper edge of the tympanum, and running down
to the neck.
dorsal:
The upper surface of the frog, its back.
lateral:
The sides of the frog.
ventral:
The lower surface of the frog, its belly.
nuptial
pads:
A roughened pad on the thumb and first finger of male frogs which
develops during the breeding season.
amplexus:
The breeding position. This may be axillary (the male grips the females
armpits) or inguinal (the male grips the females groin).
lentic
tadpole:
A tadpole adapted to living in still pools. Have an oval body, mouth at
the front of the head, and deep fins.
lotic
tadpole:
A tadpole adapted to living in fastflowing streams. Have a flattened
body, a sucker-like mouth on the underside of the head, and narrow fins.
dextral:
located on the right side of the body.
spiracle:
A small tube opening on the side of the tadpoles body.
sinistral:
located on the left side of the body.
papillae:
Small fleshy bumps around the tadpoles mouth.
oral
disc: The slightly funnel
shaped area around the tadpoles mouth.
caudal:
Relating to the tail. Caudal stripes means stripes on the tail.
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