See text The European spadefoot toads are a family of frogs, the Pelobatidae, with only one extant genus Pelobates, containing six species.

The eggs are laid in temporary ponds that may quickly evaporate, so the tadpole stage is unusually brief, with rapid development to the adult form in as little as two weeks.

To further speed their growth, some of the tadpoles are cannibalistic, eating their brood-mates to increase their supply of protein.

[4] In the Jurassic Morrison Formation, pelobatids are represented by the ilium of an unnamed but indeterminate species.

[5] The Oligocene site of Enspel in Germany preserves evidence of pelobatid tadpoles feeding on pollen.