Fairy

Gilbert liked fairies and wrote several plays about them. Many Anurans readily hybridise. William S. The distinction is far from universally accepted, especially because there are few features that are as unique to any group as taxonomists would like. This work details the spell cast by the mischievous fairy Puck (at the behest of the fairy-king Oberon) on Oberon's wife Titania, who falls in love with the first mortal she casts eyes upon, the unfortunate Bottom, whom Puck has transmogrified into having a donkey's head. This classification is based on the perceived possession of derived features of the three groups and refers to a fairly deep phylogenetic split, with the newest group, the Neobatrachia, having some 5,000 species. William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream deals extensively with the subject of fairy-folk and their interaction with a group of amateur theatrical players. Frogs and toads are broadly classified into three suborders: Archaeobatrachia, Mesobatrachia and Neobatrachia - respectively, old, intermediate and new frogs.

Dwarves, giants, dragons, unicorns, and the like have at some point been made out to be faeries, if not faye themselves. While its skin is slightly warty, it prefers a watery habitat. However, the mercurial and inherently magical nature of fairies has led to their association and confusion with most other mythical creatures. An exception can be made for the Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina). Such beings are most often called "the shining ones.". The distinction between frogs and toads is usually based on the ability to retain moisture; frogs are smooth and moist skinned, while toads have dry, warty skin. There is a central archetypal figure behind most of the stories described as a tall, delicate, radiant being of humanoid aspect. However, many families, and even genera, have a mixture of frogs and toads, so there is no taxonomic justification.

Consequently, faerie runs amok with creatures that are completely unrelated save that they are mythologic in origin. Most frogs in the Ranidae family (true frogs) and Hylidae family (tree frogs) are considered frogs, whereas all those within the Bufonidae family (true toads) are considered toads. This is partially due to the fact that, by being supernatural and chaotic entities, they are difficult to pin down as being anything in particular and partially due to the fact that humans have yet to answer completely what constitutes the racial ethos of humanity. This distinction has no scientific basis, and only refers to the common name of a species. The question of a faerie "nature" has been the topic of many a myth or scholarly paper for a very long time. A problem commonly associated with Anurans is the distinction between frogs and toads. There is, however, a slight distinction between the two words "fae" and "faerie." Properly, "fae" is a noun referring to a specific race of otherworldly beings exercising mystical abilities (either the elves [or equivalent thereof] in mythology or their insect-winged, floral descendents in English folklore), while "faerie" is an adjective meaning "of, like, or associated with fays, their otherworldly home, their activities, and their produced goods and effects." Thus, a leprechaun and a ring of mushrooms are both faerie things (a fairy leprechaun and a fairy ring.). The order Anura contains some 5250 species in 33 families, whereof the Leptodactylidae (1100 spp.), Hylidae (800 spp.) and Ranidae (750 spp.) are the most speciose.

If "fey" derives from "fata," which seems as like as "fairy" deriving from "fata," then the word history of the two words is itself fae.1. Although habitat loss is certainly one of the most important features of most declines; pollutants, climate change, introduction of non-indigenous predators/competitors, and infectious diseases (see Chytrid fungus) have also been implicated. However, it gained the meaning "touched by otherworldly or magical quality; clairvoyant, supernatural." In modern English, the word seems to be conjoining into "fae" as variant spelling. The decline in frog diversity may also be to do with particular species having specialised on particular kinds of prey, such as certain kinds of earthworms that are themselves indicator species due to their close dependence on soil chemistry. Another word, "fey," has historically meant "doomed to die," mostly in Scotland. Many environmental scientists feel that amphibians, and frogs in particular, may be excellent biological indicators of ecosystem function because of their location on the food web, their permeable skins and their typically bi-phasic life (in both water and on land). Since the subjects of the words are somewhat alien and ethereal, the terms are often used interchangeably and are more prone to spelling alterations than other words. In many parts of the world, the frog populations have declined drastically since the 1950s.

Modern English inherited the two terms "fae" and "fairy," along with all the associations attached to them. Frogs are found nearly worldwide, but they do not occur in Antarctica and are not present on many oceanic islands. Fata influenced modern Italian's fata and Spanish's hada, both of which mean fairy, and the Old French fée, which gained the meaning "enchanter." By adding the ending -rie, we get féerie, meaning a "state of fée" or "enchantment." This also befits the fae, who are known for casting illusions and altering emotions, particularly so as to make themselves alluring, frightening, or unseen. Darwin's Frog (Rhinoderma darwinii) from Chile puts the tadpoles in its vocal sac for development. The Latin root fata, meaning fate in the sense of one of the Parcae, is an indication that fays have abilities associated with knowledge (foresight) and manipulation (luck, blessing, cursing) of fate, both of which are qualities of faeries in myth. To do this, the Gastric-brooding Frog must stop secreting stomach acid and suppress peristalsis (contractions of the stomach). An interesting correlation is the word "fey," which may be derived ultimately from the same Latin root and is now returning to mean the same as "fae.". The female Gastric-brooding Frogs (genus: Rheobatrachus) from Australia swallows its tadpoles which develop in the stomach.

The words fae and faerie came to English from French and, ultimately, Latin or more further from Persia (the word Pari). The tadpoles will reside in the pouch until the end of metamorphosis. . The male Australian pouched frog (Assa darlingtoni) has pouches along its side. They are also regarded as aloof, ephemeral, mercurial, and whimsical, among other qualities that place them outside of a human scope and have a tendency to make them associated or confused with other mythological creatures. Many frogs protect their offspring inside their own body. They are generally humanoid in form, though of a higher, spiritual nature and so possessed of preternatural abilities, along with such mystical qualities as otherworldly beauty and grace, an ethereal glow, wings, or the like. the midwife toads, Alytes spp.).

A fairy is a spirit (supernatural being) found in the legends, folklore, and mythology of many cultures. Other frogs will carry the eggs and tadpoles on their hind legs or back (e.g. Fairy painting. The parent will then feed it through laying unfertilised eggs into the bromeliad, until the young have metamorphosed. After hatching, a parent (sex depending upon the species) will move them, on its back, to a water-holding bromeliad. The frog will urinate if they become too dry.

This protection involves guarding the eggs from predation, and keeping the eggs moist. Some species of poison dart frogs will lay eggs on the forest floor, and protect them until hatching. Although brood care is much less common, there is a great diversity of such behaviours. This reduces the number of predators, and therefore increases the number of surviving offspring.

They will lay the eggs en masse, and any predator within the region will die once they eat the egg or tadpole. Although the Cane Toad, and similar species, do not advertise their toxicity the offspring still survive in large numbers. Other poisonous species will not, such as the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus). Some tadpoles will advertise their toxicity, usually poison dart frogs, to warn potential prey.

Poisonous tadpoles and/or eggs is an adaptation also present in frogs. The tadpoles drop into the water upon hatching. One way in which some species avoid the predation and pathogens eggs are exposed to in ponds is to lay eggs on leaves above the pond, with a coating designed to retain moisture. However, there is a greater chance some will survive than a laying of smaller numbers.

A majority of the offspring will usually die due to predation, disease or competition with other tadpoles. The female will lay thousands of eggs in one laying. The most common adaptation is mass laying of eggs. Frogs have evolved many techniques to protect the survival of the next generation.

The egg and tadpole stage of a frog's life cycle is usually the most dangerous due to easy predation. More importantly, reproducing early in the season ensures that appropriate food is available to the developing frogs at the right time. Reproducing in these conditions helps the developing tadpoles because dissolved oxygen concentrations in the water are highest at cold temperatures. Water temperatures at this time of year are relatively low and typically between four and 10 degrees Celsius.

In the UK most common frog populations produce frogspawn in February although there is wide variation in timing. Most temperate species of frog reproduce in the period between late autumn to early spring. The eggs will hatch after a short time, releasing tadpoles. The eggs are typically brown or black, with a clear, gelatine-like, covering.

Once the eggs come in contact with the water, they will swell, and form a protective coating. The female then releases her eggs, which the male frog covers with a sperm solution before the eggs make contact with the water. This involves the male mounting the female and gripping her tightly. The male and female frog, will then undergo amplexus.

Some species have satellite males who do not call but intercept females approaching one of the calling males. The call is unique to the species, and will attract females of that species. They will then call, collectively becoming a chorus of frogs. The life cycle continues with male frogs of a species assembling at a still water source.

The French custom of eating frog legs is the source of the English use of the derogatory nickname "frogs" for French people. Frog legs are a delicacy in China, France, and in many parts of the American South, especially Louisiana. Frogs are also eaten by people. Frogs are themselves predated by birds, large fish, snakes, otters, foxes, badgers, coatis, and other animals.

Some frogs use their sticky tongues effectively in catching fast-moving prey, while others capture their prey, and force it into their mouth with their hands. A few of the larger species may eat larger prey, such as small mammals, fish and smaller frogs. All juvenile and adult frogs are carnivores, eating invertebrates such as insects, worms and spiders. Most species complete their development within about three months, while others, such as the midwife toad Alytes obstetricans and the Common Spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus), hibernate as tadpoles and complete their development the following spring.

The final stage of development from froglet to adult frog involves apoptosis (programmed cell death) of the tail. As tadpoles grow, they undergo metamorphosis, in which they develop legs and lungs, have their intestines shorten to accommodate a carnivorous diet, to become a froglet. Cannibalism has also been observed among tadpoles. Tadpoles are entirely aquatic, and are vulnerable to predation by fish, newts, predatory diving beetles, and birds such as kingfishers.

Some species are carnivorous at the tadpole stage, usually eating small larvae and fish. Tadpoles are typically herbivorous, feeding mostly on algae, including diatoms that are filtered from the water through the gills. Frogs start life as tadpoles. The life cycle of frogs contains two main stages, the adult and the tadpole.

Edible frogs rely on skin modifications rather than poisons for protection. There is also one nonpoisonous frog in South America which mimics a poisonous frog’s colors to protect itself. Poisonous frogs tend to advertise their toxicity with bright colours. The name of the frog was changed from Poison Arrow Frog to Poison Dart Frog in the early 1980's.

It was previously a misconception that the poison was placed on arrows rather than darts. Some natives of the Amazon area extract poison from the Poison Dart Frog and put it on their darts when hunting. The Australian Corroboree Frogs, Pseudophryne corroboree and Pseudophryne pengilleyi, have been discovered to be able to manufacture an alkaloid not derived from their diet ^[2]. Generally the frog obtains the poison from the insects and other animals it eats.

Many predators of frogs have adapted to tolerate high levels of these poisons, whereas others, including humans, may be severely affected and hence deterred by them. The chemical makeup of these toxins varies from irritants to hallucinogens, convulsants, nerve poisons, and vasoconstrictors (which act to narrow the blood vessels). Some frogs, such as the arrow-poison frog, are especially toxic. All frogs have poison glands in their skin.

Certain frogs change colour between night and day, which is caused by light and moisture stimulating the pigment cells and causing them to expand or contract. Arboreal frogs will usually have smooth skin to effectively disguise them as leaves. Features such as warts or skin folds are usually found on ground dwelling frogs, where a smooth skin would not disguise them effectively. For example, White's tree frog (Litoria caerulea) varies in shades of green and brown.

However, this is usually restricted to shades of one or two colours. Some frogs have the ability to change colour. Nocturnal frogs will usually find the ideal camouflaged position during the day to sleep. Most camouflaged frogs are nocturnal, which adds to their ability to hide.

Camouflage is a common defensive mechanism in frogs. They can also breathe with their mouths closed by taking air in through the nostrils (causing the throat to puff out), and then compressing the floor of the mouth, which forces the air into the lungs. Frogs can breathe by simply opening their mouth and letting air flow into their windpipe. Their lungs are similar to those of humans, but the chest muscles are not involved in respiration and there are no ribs or diaphragm to support breathing.

Adult frogs use their lungs when on land. When a frog is underwater, oxygen is transmitted through the skin directly into the bloodstream. There are a number of blood vessels near the skin. The skin of amphibians is moistened by secretions of mucus, and is used for respiration at times.

Just as frogs are able to absorb water through their skin, they are also able to breathe through their skin. The egg and tadpole development is very fast in comparison to most frogs, to prevent the pond drying before metamorphosis. Once it rains, they will emerge, find a temporary pond and breed. The Australia genus Cyclorana, and American genus Pternohyla will dig underground, form a water impervious cocoon and hibernate during dry periods.

For this reason, for frogs to survive in deserts or drought prone regions, where water may not be accessible for many years, other adaptations must suffice. These adaptations only reduce water loss enough for a predominately arboreal existence, and are not suitable for arid conditions. This position involves the frog lying with its toes and fingers tucked under its body and chin respectively, with no gap between the body and substrate. This includes nocturnal activity, and resting in a water conserving position.

Some species will use behavioural traits to reduce water loss. Some tree frogs reduce water loss with a water proof layer of skin. Many frogs, such as tree frogs, have behaviourally and physiologically adapted to conserving water. However, the permeability of frog's skin also results in some frogs losing large amounts of water.

Many frogs are able to absorb water directly through their skin, especially through the pelvic area. The croak of the American bullfrog (Rana catesbiana) is sometimes spelt "jug o' rum". This difference is due to the different species within each region (for example, Common frog (Rana temporaria) in Britain and Leopard frog (Rana pipiens) in the USA). Frog noise tends to be spelt (for English speakers) as "crrrrk" in Britain and "ribbit" in the USA.

Many species of frog have deep calls, or croaks. The effectiveness of the call is unknown, however it is suspected the call intrigues the predator, until another animal is attracted, distracting them enough for its escape. This is done with the mouth open, and usually results in a higher pitched call. A distress call is emitted by some frogs when they are in a position of danger.

All of these calls are emitted with the mouth of the frog closed. Many species also have a territorial call that is used to chase away other males. A male frog will emit a different call when mounted by another male. Polypedates leucomystax, produce a call reciprocal to the male's which acts as the catalyst for the enhancement of reproductive activity in the breeding colony (Roy, 1997).

Females of many frog species, e.g. Males will either call in a group, called a chorus, or individually. The main reason for calling is for the male to attract a mate. The flowing water overpowers any call, and they must communicate by other means.

Species of frog which have lost a vocal sack, and do not have a loud call, tend to inhabit areas close to flowing water. Their buccal cavity is enlarged and dome shaped, acting as a resonance chamber, and amplifies their call. Some frogs which lack vocal sacks, such as the frogs from the genera Heleioporus and Neobatrachus, can still have a loud call. Each call is unique to a species.

The vocal sac is a membrane of skin under the throat or on the corner of the mouth which distends during the amplification of the call. In most calling frogs, the sound is amplified by the vocal sac(s). It will call by passing air through the larynx, in the throat. The males of most species of frogs will call for a variety of reasons.

The hind legs of ground dwelling frogs are better suited to hopping. Ground dwelling frogs will usually have reduced toe pads (if any at all), and webbing. Ground dwelling frogs do not have much in the way of specific adaptations, except they lack the adaptations of aquatic and arboreal frogs. Therefore, many arboreal frogs have hips which allow both hopping and walking.

Transport through trees can be dangerous just through the process of hopping. This aids in creating the greatest surface area touching the substrate, by applying even pressure to the toes/fingers. Tree frogs also have a small structure called the intercalory structure in their toes and fingers. ^[1].

For this reason, wet frogs cannot grip to smooth surfaces. Capillarity then maintains the grip . On smooth surfaces, the gaps drain away excess moisture, to produce a thin layer of moisture. The pressure from the frog interlocks any irregularities on a surface, and therefore grips the surface.

The cells on the pads are interlocking, with gaps between each cell. The toe discs do not work by suction, but a more complicated system. Arboreal frogs have toe pads on the end of their toes to help grip. For example, the African dwarf frog (Hymenochirus sp.) is completely aquatic and its hands are fully webbed, whereas White's tree frog is arboreal, and is only half or one quarter webbed.

The degree to which a frog is aquatic, can usually be predicted from the amount their hands/feet are webbed. To do this, frogs have evolved a structure similar to most semi-aquatic animals - webbed feet and hands. An aquatic lifestyle for a frog requires a frog to move fast through the water. The three main habitats are terrestrial, aquatic and arboreal.

This is due to the large variety of habitats in which frogs inhabit. The feet/hands and legs of frogs, are one of the most varied structures within the order Anura. Hence, dead frogs are often used for dissections in high school and university anatomy classes, often after being injected with coloured plastics to enhance the contrast between different organs. The internal organs of frogs are relatively odourless.

They have a tympanum on each side of their head, which is involved in hearing, and is covered by skin in some species. Frogs have three eyelid membranes: one transparent to protect the eyes underwater, and two which are translucent to opaque. The skin lacks keratin and hangs loosely on the body because of the lack of loose connective tissue, and can be smooth, warty or have skin folds. Frogs range in size from 10mm (Psyllophryne didactyla of Brazil and Eleutherodactylus iberia of Cuba) to 300mm (Goliath frog, Conraua goliath, of Cameroon).

They have a short vertebral column, with no more than ten free vertebrae, followed by a fused tail bone, usually resulting in a frog without a tail. Frogs are generally well suited to jumping, and have long hind legs, with elongated ankle bones. However, there are some general characteristics that distinguish them from other amphibians. Because of the great diversity of frogs (approximately 5250 described species), many characteristics are not shared by all of the species.

. Their distribution ranges from tropic to subarctic regions, with most of the approximately 5250 described species found in tropical rainforest. Some frogs are poisonous and have warning colouration; others are well camouflaged. Most frogs have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in water.

"True frogs" are of the family Ranidae. The only family exclusively given the common name "toad" is Bufonidae, but many species from various other families are also called "toads". A distinction based on appearance is often made between frogs and toads, but this has no scientific basis. Adult frogs are characterised by long hindlegs, a short body, webbed digits, protruding eyes and the absence of a tail.

Frog is the common name for amphibians in the order Anura.