| Pelodytidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pelodytes punctatus | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Superfamily: | Pelobatoidea |
| Family: | Pelodytidae Bonaparte, 1850 |
| Type genus | |
| Pelodytes Bonaparte, 1838 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Pelodytidae, also known as theparsley frogs, or rarely,mud divers, is afamily offrogs. It contains a single extant genus,Pelodytes,[2][3][4][5] and three genera only known from fossils.[1][4] The extant species are found in southwestern Europe and theCaucasus.[2][3][5]
Most recent studies suggests that Pelodytidae belongs to aclade containing three other families:Pelobatidae,Scaphiopodidae, andMegophryidae.[4][5] Itssister taxon is the clade Pelobatidae+Megophryidae,[2][5] although older studies have suggested also other relationships.[2]
Modern pelodytids are moderately small frogs measuring 30–55 mm (1.2–2.2 in) insnout–vent length. The eyes have rounded but vertically orientedpupils. The finger and the toe tips are blunt to pointed. Thetadpoles havekeratinized mouthparts. The family is also characterized by a number of anatomical and sceletal features,[5] including the fusion of the tibiale and fibulare that have been used to include the fossil taxaMiopelodytes andTephrodytes in this family.[4]