Lechriodus

Taxobox
name = Cannibal frogs

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image_caption = Fletcher's Frog ("Lechriodus fletcheri")
image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
subclassis = Lissamphibia
ordo = Anura
subordo = Neobatrachia
familia = Myobatrachidae
subfamilia = Limnodynastinae
genus = "Lechriodus"
genus_authority = Boulenger, 1882
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = 4, see text

The "Lechriodus" is a genus of ground-dwelling from the family Myobatrachidae, native to eastern Australia and New Guinea. They are medium-sized frogs and the dorsal skin has a sandpaper-like texture. They are unique amongst myobatrachids genera in that there is more species that occur on New Guinea (3 spp.) than in Australia (1 sp.).

They inhabit rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests and are active after heavy rains in summer and rarely seen during drier conditions. Breeding takes place in temporary pools and small streams and the tadpoles as well as the frogs are noted for their cannibalistic behaviour, due to which they are commonly known as cannibal frogs.

Species