Tailed frog

A stream-dwelling frog of western North America in the genus Ascaphus. Males have a tail-like copulatory organ that enables internal fertilization.

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Internal fertilization: Fertilization in which sperm meets an egg inside the female reproductive tract. The male’s tail-like organ transfers sperm internally, unlike the external fertilization typical of frogs.
Ascaphus: A genus of North American frogs containing the tailed frog species. This genus is the taxonomic home of the frog distinguished by the male’s copulatory organ.
Riparian habitat: The land and vegetation bordering rivers, streams, and other water bodies. Adults occupy moist forest near the streams used for breeding and larval development.
Habitat fragmentation: The division of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Roads and altered forests can separate suitable stream and terrestrial habitats.
Amplexus: A mating embrace in which a male frog clasps a female and releases sperm as she lays eggs. Tailed frogs reproduce internally rather than relying on the usual external-fertilization sequence associated with amplexus.
Amphibia: The vertebrate class comprising frogs, salamanders, and caecilians. Tailed frogs are amphibians with aquatic larvae and adults adapted to moist environments.
Stream ecology: The study of organisms and processes in flowing freshwater ecosystems. Tailed frog life stages connect stream conditions with surrounding forest habitat.
Sediment pollution: Excess suspended or deposited sediment that degrades aquatic habitats. Fine sediment can bury stream substrates used by eggs and tadpoles.
Tadpole: The aquatic larval stage of frogs, typically bearing a tail and gills before metamorphosis. Tailed frog larvae cling to stream rocks with specialized oral discs.
Anura: The amphibian order of frogs and toads, whose adults lack external tails. Despite its name, the tailed frog remains an anuran; its male ‘tail’ is not a true tail.