Hemiphractidae
Hemiphractidae includes the marsupial frogs and triangular-headed frogs, usually
grouped under the name egg-brooding frogs. There are 31 species in Peru, 2 in the
Madre de Dios department and 7 in the Manu area of which we include 4 species in
this guide. They are diverse in terms of shape and appearance and their colouration
ranges from browns and greens to greys and yellows. They are as equally varied in size
ranging from small to medium and some larger species. They usually have distinctive
skull structures, especially in the case of Hemiphractus.
Hemiphractidae
The members of the family are found throughout Central and South America. Gastrotheca
and Hemiphractus species are tipically arboreal. The family exhibits an unusual form
of parental care where eggs are carried on the backs of females or in open or closed
pouches. The female releases an egg and the male uses his hind legs to position it on her
back where it is held in place by a glutinous substance. In most species, the eggs develop
directly into froglets avoiding an aquatic phase, and females will still carry the froglets in
their backs. However, some species have a tadpole stage in their development.
Gastrotheca nebulanastes