The squat frogs, or burrowing frogs (genus Calluella) make up a group of eight species native to Southeast Asia (four from Borneo). Frost et al. (2006) and Das et al. 2014 place Calluella within the subfamily Microhylinae, although their classification is not without controversy (Pyron and Wiens 2011).All of the species are rarely seen, and thought to spend most of their life underground; little is known about their biology.
(Das et al. 2014; Frogs of Borneo 2015; Frost et al. 2006; Pyron and Wiens 2011)
Glyphoglossus is a genus of frogs in the family Microhylidae.[1][2] The genus occurs in Southeastern Asia.[1] Common name balloon frogs has been coined for it, whereas the common name squat frogs refers to the Calluella species that are now included in this genus.[1] They are fossorial frogs that spend only limited time on the soil surface and are typically known from only few specimens.[3]
Glyphoglossus, as currently delimited, includes species formerly included in a separate genus, Calluella. Molecular genetic data strongly suggest that Glyphoglossus is nested within Calluella.[1][3][4] Consequently, Calluella was brought into synonymy of Glyphoglossus.[4]
Diagnostic characteristics of Calluella are wide head and flattened body; reduced eyes; presence of maxillary and vomerine teeth; toes with reduced webbing; circular pupil; large, oval, and entire tongue; palate having paired dermal ridges; and a large compressed inner metatarsal tubercle under each foot. Species of this Genus are found in the range from Southern China to Indo-Malaya[5]
There are nine recognized species:[1][2]
Glyphoglossus is a genus of frogs in the family Microhylidae. The genus occurs in Southeastern Asia. Common name balloon frogs has been coined for it, whereas the common name squat frogs refers to the Calluella species that are now included in this genus. They are fossorial frogs that spend only limited time on the soil surface and are typically known from only few specimens.
