Suborder: Archaeobatrachia
Genera: 3 – Latonia, Alytes, and Discoglossus
Species: 11
Alytidae is a family of frogs that contain Midwife toads and Painted frogs. The genera Latonia and Discoglossus are referred to as the Painted Frogs while the genus Alytes is referred to as the Midwife toad. The family is mostly found in Europe but there are a few species in Northern African and historically in the middle east.
The genus Alytes or the Midwife Toads are known for the fact that the males carry a string of fertilized eggs on their back or legs.
The genus Discoglossus used to be it’s own family until merging in with the Midwife Toads.
The Hula painted frog (Latonia nigriventer) is the only living species of the genus Latonia. It was thought to be extinct until it was discovered in Israel in 2011. It’s only found in Lake Hula, which is how it gets its name, and is listed as critically endangered.
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