''Breviceps'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of frogs in the family Brevicipitidae.

Species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

in the genus ''Breviceps'' are commonly known as rain frogs or short-headed frogs. They occur in arid to semiarid climates of Eastern and Southern Africa.

Taxonomy

The genus ''Breviceps'' consists of 21 species, of which most occur in southern Africa. There are five species found in the Western Cape, '' B. gibbosus'', '' B. fuscus'' (black rain frog), '' B. rosei'' (Rose's rain frog), '' B. montanus'' (mountain rain frog) and '' B. acutirostris'' (strawberry rain frog). Two species are found in arid areas and other species are found in the eastern and northern parts of southern Africa.

Description

Species of the genus ''Breviceps'' are sexually dimorphic: males are much smaller than females. This prevents normal amplexus; instead, males and females produce an adhesive secretion from the skin that allows them to "stick" together during mating.

Ecology and behaviour

Species of the genus ''Breviceps'' spend most of the year underground; even when on the surface, they are inconspicuous because of their slow movements and cryptic colouration. They walk rather than hop. They are able to burrow rapidly, backwards, into the soil by using the enlarged, spade-like metatarsal tubercles on their feet. These frogs emerge after rain to feed on small arthropods such as ants, termites, beetles, moths, woodlice, amphipods, juvenile millipedes, and caterpillars hence the name rain frogs. Reproduction also occurs during the rainy season. Choruses start immediately after heavy rains, although this may be delayed in colder areas. Eggs are laid in chambers below the surface of the soil, rocks, or fallen logs. After hatching, the movements of the tadpoles make the remains of the egg mass into a froth. The female remains close to the egg chamber until the tadpoles are fully developed.

References

{{Authority control Brevicipitidae Amphibians of Africa Amphibian genera Taxa named by Blasius Merrem