486 TEXTBOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



Fseudacris (6 species). Throughout the same regions as Acris. Various 

 subspecies of the swamp cricket frog (P. nigrita) are common in the 

 Southwest. The recently described P. streckeri Wright, ranging through- 

 out Texas, is a very colorful species, and its high-pitched staccato chirp is 

 one of the earliest to be heard at breeding pools in Texas. 



Hyla (12 species). Various species in all of the United States. They are 

 the most colorful of all the frogs. Common species in the Southwest in- 

 clude: H. arenicolor, H. cvnerea, H. crucifer, H. squirella, H. versicolor. 



Suiarder Diplasiocoela 



Family Ranidae (True Frogs) 



Baria (18 species). Various species occur in all parts of the United States. 

 Com m on species in the Southwest are: B. sphenocephala, B. pipiens, B. 

 catesbeiana, B. clamitans. 



Family Brevicipitidae (Narrow-mouthed Toads) 



Bypopachns cuneus (1 species). In southern Texas. 



Microhyla (3 species). Ranges from Virginia to Texas, northward to Mis- 

 souri and Indiana. 



Economic Importance 



The entire group of Amphibia are of considerable economic value 

 because they feed to such a large extent on insects, thus becoming 

 valuable aids to the farmer in controlling noxious insects. In the 

 flooded rice fields of Louisiana, bullfrogs grow fat eating insects, 

 crayfish, and other small animals. 



Frogs are used throughout the world as an article of food by 

 man as well as by other animals. In the eastern United States, 

 large quantities of the leopard frog and wood frog are consumed. 

 In the southern states, bullfrog legs have been a favorite food for 

 years. Within recent years businesses have developed which are de- 

 voted to supplying bullfrog legs, and the demands for these from 

 all parts of the country have been so great that it may become 

 necessary to afford some protection to prevent the rapid depletion 

 of these animals. Attempts have been made to operate frog farms 

 and raise a supply. Most of these attempts have been failures be- 

 cause of the high overhead cost. The axolotl is used in Mexico as 

 food; and water dogs, such as our Necturus, are reputed to have 

 a good flavor. 



Dried frogs and toads have been used in China both as a source 

 of food and for medicinal purposes. It is reported that toad skins 

 have been used in Japan and elsewhere for making a fine type of 



