Pipidae


The Pipidae are a family of primitive, tongueless frogs. The 41 species in the family Pipidae are found in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa.

Description

Pipid frogs are highly aquatic and have numerous morphological modifications befitting their habitat. For example, the feet are completely webbed, the body is flattened, and a lateral line system is present in adults. In addition, pipids possess highly modified ears for producing and receiving sound under water. They lack a tongue or vocal cords, instead having bony rods in the larynx that help produce sound. They range from in body length.

Extant genera

Family Pipidae
The fossil record for pipids and close relatives is relatively good, with several extinct species known. Six of these are placed in the extant genus Xenopus, the remainder in extinct genera. These fossils are known from Africa, South America, and the Middle East back to the Lower Cretaceous.

Fossil Pipidae

;South America
MaAgeTaxon
bold is n. sp.		FormationBasinCountryRefs
84:Category:Campanian Stage|Campaniancf. Xenopus sp.:Category:Los Alamitos Formation|Los Alamitos:Category:Neuquén Basin|Neuquén:Category:Fossils of Argentina|Argentina
61.9:Category:Peligran|Peligran?Pipidae indet.Hansen Mb, Salamanca:Category:Golfo San Jorge Basin|Golfo San Jorge:Category:Fossils of Argentina|Argentina
54.69:Category:Riochican|RiochicanLlankibatrachus truebaeHuitreraNeuquén:Category:Fossils of Argentina|Argentina
53:Category:Itaboraian|ItaboraianXenopus romeriItaboraíItaboraí:Category:Fossils of Brazil|Brazil
52.44:Category:Casamayoran|CasamayoranShelania pascualiLaguna del Hunco:Category:Cañadón Asfalto Basin|Cañadón Asfalto:Category:Fossils of Argentina|Argentina
45:Category:Mustersan|Mustersan?Pipidae indet.PozoUcayali:Category:Fossils of Peru|Peru
11.8:Category:Mayoan|Mayoan-:Category:Huayquerian|Huayqueriancf. Pipa sp.UrumacoFalcón Basin:Category:Fossils of Venezuela|Venezuela