Fashion

At the same time there remains an equal or larger range designated (at least currently) 'out of fashion'. Many Anurans readily hybridise. Materially affluent societies can offer a variety of different fashions, in clothes or accessories, to choose from. The distinction is far from universally accepted, especially because there are few features that are as unique to any group as taxonomists would like. Note too though that fashion can change to enforce uniformity, as in the case where so-called Mao suits became the national uniform of Mainland China. 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. Others, especially young people, enjoy the diversity that changing fashion can apparently provide, seeing the constant change as a way to satisfy their desire to experience "new" and "interesting" things. Frogs and toads are broadly classified into three suborders: Archaeobatrachia, Mesobatrachia and Neobatrachia - respectively, old, intermediate and new frogs.

For some, modern fast-paced change in fashion embodies many of the negative aspects of capitalism: it results in waste and encourages people qua consumers to buy things unnecessarily. While its skin is slightly warty, it prefers a watery habitat. The change may proceed more rapidly than in most other fields of human activity (language, thought, etc). An exception can be made for the Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina). Fashion, by definition, changes constantly. 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. (Compare some of the work of Roland Barthes.). However, many families, and even genera, have a mixture of frogs and toads, so there is no taxonomic justification.

One can regard the system of sporting various fashions as a fashion language incorporating various fashion statements using a grammar of fashion. 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. The term "fashion victim" refers to someone who slavishly follows the current fashions (implementations of fashion).. This distinction has no scientific basis, and only refers to the common name of a species. If, for example, an older person dresses according to the fashion of young people, he or she may look ridiculous in the eyes of both young and older people. A problem commonly associated with Anurans is the distinction between frogs and toads. Fashions may vary significantly within a society according to age, social class, generation, occupation and geography as well as over time. 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.

When people who have cultural status start to wear new or different clothes a fashion trend may start; people who like or respect them may start to wear clothes of a similar style. 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. What a person chooses to wear can reflect that person's personality or likes. 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. Modern Westerners have a wide choice available in the selection of their clothes. 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). Fashion in clothes has allowed wearers to express emotion or solidarity with other people for millennia. In many parts of the world, the frog populations have declined drastically since the 1950s.

By 1800, all Western Europeans were dressing alike: local variation became first a sign of provincial culture, and then a badge of the conservative peasant (James Laver; Fernand Braudel). Frogs are found nearly worldwide, but they do not occur in Antarctica and are not present on many oceanic islands. The pace of change picked up in the 1780s with the publication of French engravings that showed the latest Paris styles. Darwin's Frog (Rhinoderma darwinii) from Chile puts the tadpoles in its vocal sac for development. Men's fashions derived from military models, and changes in a European male silhouette are galvanized in theatres of European war, where gentleman officers had opportunities to make notes of foreign styles: an example is the "Steinkirk" cravat (see Cravat). To do this, the Gastric-brooding Frog must stop secreting stomach acid and suppress peristalsis (contractions of the stomach). Fashions among upper-class Europeans began to move in synchronicity in the 18th century; though colors and patterns of textiles changed from year to year, (Thornton), the cut of a gentleman's coat and the length of his waistcoat, or the pattern to which a lady's dress was cut changed more slowly. The female Gastric-brooding Frogs (genus: Rheobatrachus) from Australia swallows its tadpoles which develop in the stomach.

But the local culture still set the bounds, as Albrecht Dürer recorded in his actual or composite contrast of Nuremberg and Venetian fashions at the close of the 15th century (illustration, right). The tadpoles will reside in the pouch until the end of metamorphosis. The European idea of fashion as a personal statement rather than a cultural expression begins in the 16th century: ten portraits of German or Italian gentlemen may show ten entirely different hats. The male Australian pouched frog (Assa darlingtoni) has pouches along its side. . Many frogs protect their offspring inside their own body. The remainder of this article deals with clothing fashions in the industrialized world. the midwife toads, Alytes spp.).

For a broad cross-cultural look at clothing and its place in society, refer to the entries for Clothing and Costume. Other frogs will carry the eggs and tadpoles on their hind legs or back (e.g. This linguistic switch is due to the so-called fashion plates which were produced during the Industrial Revolution, showing novel ways to use new textiles. The parent will then feed it through laying unfertilised eggs into the bromeliad, until the young have metamorphosed. Of these fields, costume especially has become so linked in the public eye with the term "fashion" that the more general term "costume" has been relegated by many to only mean fancy dress or masquerade wear, while the term "fashion" means clothing generally, and the study of it. After hatching, a parent (sex depending upon the species) will move them, on its back, to a water-holding bromeliad. The rises and falls of fashions have been especially documented and examined in the following fields:. The frog will urinate if they become too dry.

Fashions are social psychology phenomena common to many fields of human activity and thinking. This protection involves guarding the eggs from predation, and keeping the eggs moist. In this sense, fashions are a sort of communal art, through which a culture examines its notions of beauty and goodness. Some species of poison dart frogs will lay eggs on the forest floor, and protect them until hatching. The term is also frequently used in a positive sense, as a synonym for glamour and style. Although brood care is much less common, there is a great diversity of such behaviours. In this sense, fashions are essentially a relief from boredom, or a distraction from important matters, for the idle rich. This reduces the number of predators, and therefore increases the number of surviving offspring.

The term "fashion" is often used in a negative sense, as a synonym for fads and trends. They will lay the eggs en masse, and any predator within the region will die once they eat the egg or tadpole. The terms "fashionable" and "unfashionable" are employed to describe whether someone or something fits in with the currently popular mode of expression. Although the Cane Toad, and similar species, do not advertise their toxicity the offspring still survive in large numbers. Inherent in the term is the idea that the mode will change more quickly than the culture as a whole. Other poisonous species will not, such as the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus). The term fashion applies to a prevailing mode of expression. Some tadpoles will advertise their toxicity, usually poison dart frogs, to warn potential prey.

urban fashion. Poisonous tadpoles and/or eggs is an adaptation also present in frogs. BDSM fashion. The tadpoles drop into the water upon hatching. Industrial fashion. 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. Black metal fashion. However, there is a greater chance some will survive than a laying of smaller numbers.

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

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

Thornton, Peter. In the UK most common frog populations produce frogspawn in February although there is wide variation in timing. Technology, such as the choice of programming techniques. Most temperate species of frog reproduce in the period between late autumn to early spring. Philosophy and spirituality (One might argue that religion is prone to fashions, although official religions tend to change so slowly that the term cultural shift is perhaps more appropriate than "fashion"). The eggs will hatch after a short time, releasing tadpoles. Politics and media, especially the topics of conversation encouraged by the media. The eggs are typically brown or black, with a clear, gelatine-like, covering.

Etiquette. Once the eggs come in contact with the water, they will swell, and form a protective coating. Entertainment, games, hobbies, sports, and other pastimes. The female then releases her eggs, which the male frog covers with a sperm solution before the eggs make contact with the water. Economics and spending choices, as studied in behavioral finance. This involves the male mounting the female and gripping her tightly. Forms of address, slang, and other forms of speech. The male and female frog, will then undergo amplexus.

Dance and music. Some species have satellite males who do not call but intercept females approaching one of the calling males. Cuisine. The call is unique to the species, and will attract females of that species. Body type, clothing or costume, cosmetics, grooming, and personal adornment. They will then call, collectively becoming a chorus of frogs. Arts and crafts. The life cycle continues with male frogs of a species assembling at a still water source.

Architecture, interior design, and landscape design. 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.