Physalaemus

Physalaemus
Physalaemus cuvieri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Leptodactylidae
Subfamily: Leiuperinae
Genus: Physalaemus
Fitzinger, 1826
Type species
Physalaemus cuvieri
Fitzinger, 1826
Diversity
About 48 species (see text)
Synonyms
  • Paludicola Wagler, 1830
  • Liuperus Cope, 1861 "1860"
  • Gomphobates Reinhardt and Lütken, 1862 "1861"
  • Eupemphix Steindachner, 1863
  • Nattereria Steindachner, 1864

Physalaemus is a large genus of leptodactylid frogs. These frogs, sometimes known as dwarf frogs or foam frogs, are found in South America. It is very similar to Leptodactylus, a close relative, and indeed the recently described Leptodactylus lauramiriamae is in some aspects intermediate between them. They have been described by researchers as presenting one of the most puzzling taxonomic histories among Neotropical anurans because of the occurrence of highly polymorphic and cryptic species.