List of amphibians of Guatemala

There are 158 amphibian species recorded in Guatemala, which are grouped in three orders: caecilians (Gymnophiona), salamanders (Caudata) and frogs and toads (Anura).

In particular, their skulls have relatively few bones, with those that are present being fused to form a solid ram to aid in burrowing through the soil.

Most significantly, they lack lungs, conducting respiration through their skin, and the tissues lining their mouths.

Another distinctive feature is the presence of a vertical slit between the nostril and upper lip, known as the "naso-labial groove".

Due to their modest size and low metabolism, they are able to feed on prey such as collembola, which are usually too small for other terrestrial vertebrates.

The family includes terrestrial, burrowing, aquatic, and arboreal members, inhabiting a wide range of different habitats.

True toads are widespread and occur natively on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, inhabiting a variety of environments, from arid areas to rainforest.

Most hylids show adaptations suitable for an arboreal lifestyle, including forward-facing eyes providing binocular vision, and adhesive pads on the fingers and toes.

Other species lay their eggs on the leaves of vegetation overhanging water, allowing the tadpoles to drop into the pond when they hatch.

Another unusual adaptation is found in some South American hylids, which brood the eggs on the back of the female.

Hylids are distributed in the Americas, Eurasia, extreme north of Africa, Australia, New Guinea and Japan.

While the general background coloration of most glass frogs is primarily lime green, the abdominal skin of some members of this family is transparent.

The internal viscera, including the heart, liver, and gastrointestinal tract are visible through this translucent skin, hence the common name.

The ground dwellers are often found under leaf litter within forests, occasionally venturing out at night to hunt.

There are two main shapes for the microhylids, one with wide bodies and narrow mouths, and the other with normal frog proportions.

The species of the genus Breviceps are burrowing frogs found in the arid regions of Africa.

Frogs from Microhylidae occur throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the Americas, Africa, eastern India, Sri Lanka, south-east Asia, through New Guinea and Australia.

There are also arboreal species of true frogs, and the family includes some of the very few amphibians that can live in brackish water.