Glyphoglossus molossus

Glyphoglossus molossus is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae.[2] Its common names include blunt-headed burrowing frog and balloon frog.[1]

Glyphoglossus molossus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Microhylidae
Genus: Glyphoglossus
Species:
G. molossus
Binomial name
Glyphoglossus molossus
Günther, 1868

Distribution and Habitat

It is found in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, temporary ponds, and heavily degraded former forest.[1]

Breeding biology

These large, burrowing frogs follow the general theme of microhylids that deposit aquatic eggs. There is explosive breeding activity in ephemeral water sources such as ponds and ditches. The frogs perform multiple amplectic dips to oviposit surface films of pigmented eggs. A portion of a clutch is released with each dip, with a dip lasting for about 6 seconds. 200-300 eggs are released per dip. The ova have a dark black animal pole and yellow vegetal pole.[3] Tadpoles feed by filtering suspended material in the water column.[4]

Status

Glyphoglossus molossus is threatened by overcatching and habitat loss.[1]

As food

In certain areas this frog is collected in large numbers as food during the breeding season.[4]

The balloon frog is very popular as a food item in Thailand, where it has been traditionally considered a delicacy in Thai cuisine, the frog's texture and taste reputedly being so exquisite that it can be eaten whole.[5] It is usually eaten barbecued and often wrongly labeled in English as "bubble frog" or "bullfrog".[6] Natural populations of this amphibian, however, have been severely depleted in most areas of the country owing to overcatching. Currently projects are undertaken to breed and release these frogs into their natural habitat. The first place where breeding was undertaken at Phayao Inland Fisheries Research and Development Center in 2009.[7] Later breeding was undertaken at Lamphun Inland Fisheries and Development Center in 2011.[8]

See also

References
  1. van Dijk, Peter Paul; Chan-ard, Tanya (2004). "Glyphoglossus molossus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T57820A11688475. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T57820A11688475.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Glyphoglossus Günther, 1869". Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  3. Zootaxa. 2014 Jun 4;(3811):381-6. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3811.3.9. The breeding behavior of Glyphoglossus molossus and the tadpoles of Glyphoglossus molossus and Calluella guttulata (Microhylidae). authors Altig & Rowley retrieved 20 Jan 2015
  4. Australian Museum
  5. Siam Fishing - Recipe/Cooking
  6. Local Food : Bubble Frog BBQ : Eung yang
  7. Soonthornvipat, Sirichat; Soonthornvipat, Phongphan (2011). "Breeding and Nursing of Truncate-Snouted Spadefoot Frog, Glyphoglossus molossus (Gunther, 1869)" (PDF). Inland Fisheries Research and Development Bureau, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand. Technical Paper No. 1/2011.
  8. Nakvijit, Panomtien (2011). "Breeding of the Blunt-headed Burrowing Frog, (Glyphoglossus molossus Gunther, 1869)" (PDF). Inland Fisheries Research and Development Bureau, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand. Technical Paper No. 36/2011.


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