Order Anura

The order Anura is comprised of the frogs and toads. The most readily distinguishable characteristic of this order is the absence of a tail in the adult form. In fact the name Anura is translated as "without a tail." Even species that appear to have a tail don't really have one. For example, Idaho has a species named the Tailed Frog. However, this is not a true tail; rather it is the everted cloaca. The caudal vertebrae of anurans are fused into a rod called the urostyle (Pough, 1998). Adult anurans lack an outwardly apparent neck. And finally, their hind limbs are longer than their front limbs, being modified for hopping, jumping or swimming.

The larvae of anurans are called tadpoles. Tadpoles in general, lack true teeth, are usually herbivorous, and develop hind limbs before front limbs (which is the opposite of Urodela larvae). Anuran larvae also lack external gills, having opercular chambers that allow water to flow over internal gills, before exiting through a spiracle.

Frogs & toads