Brevicipitidae

The Brevicipitidae or rain frogs are a small family of frogs found in eastern and southern Africa. This group includes many species. These frogs were once part of the Microhylidae family, also called narrow-mouth frogs. But new studies show they are related to the Hemisotidae or shovelnose frogs and now have their own family.

Most adult rain frogs stay hidden in soil or leaf litter, so they are hard to see. Some may climb trees sometimes. Many rain frogs have females that are much larger than the males.

Frogs in the genera Breviceps and Probreviceps have a special way of having babies called direct development. Their young develop into tiny frogs from the eggs, instead of becoming swimming tadpole larvae first. The males use special glands to make a glue-like substance to stay attached during mating. These frogs lay small groups of eggs in hidden spots like burrows. In some species, either the male or female stays close to protect the eggs. Scientists are still learning more about how these frogs care for their young.

Genera

The Brevicipitidae family has five groups, called genera. They are:

• Balebreviceps Largen & Drewes, 1989 (1 species)
• Breviceps Merrem, 1820 (21 species)
• Callulina Nieden, 1911 (9 species)
• Probreviceps Parker, 1931 (6 species)
• Spelaeophryne Ahl, 1924 (1 species)