Pleurodema


Pleurodema is a genus of frogs in the family Leptodactylidae. The genus is endemic to South America. Species in the genus Pleurodema are sometimes known under the common name four-eyed frogs, although this common name can also refer to a particular species, Pleurodema bibroni. The common name is a reference to two inguinal poison glands that resemble eyes. When threatened, the frog lowers its head and raises its rear. When the frog adopts this posture, the poison glands are also raised toward the predator. The predator may also confuse the frog's raised posterior for the head of a larger animal.

Species

The genus contains the following 15 species:Pleurodema alium Maciel & Nunes, 2010Pleurodema bibroni Tschudi, 1838Pleurodema borellii Pleurodema brachyops Pleurodema bufoninum Bell, 1843Pleurodema cinereum Cope, 1878Pleurodema cordobae Valetti, Salas & Martino, 2009Pleurodema diplolister Pleurodema guayapae Barrio, 1964Pleurodema kriegi Pleurodema marmoratum Pleurodema nebulosum Pleurodema somuncurense Pleurodema thaul Pleurodema tucumanum H. Parker, 1927