The "flying" frog is a frog that has the ability to glide. That is, it can descend at an angle of less than 45° relative to the horizontal. Arboreal frogs (non-flying frogs) can also descend vertically, but only at angles greater than 45°, which is referred to as parachuting^[1]. Flying frogs have evolved independently among 3,400 species of frogs ^[2] from both New World (Hyla) and Old World (Rhacophoridae) families^[1] and their evolution is seen as an adaptation to their life in trees, high above the ground. Characteristics of the Old World species include "enlarged hands and feet, full webbing between all fingers and toes, lateral skin flaps on the arms and legs, and reduced weight per snout-vent length"^[2]. These morphological changes contribute to the flying frog's aerodynamic abilities. Alfred Russel Wallace made one of the earliest reports of the flying frog, from observations in the Indo-Malayan region ^[3]. The species he observed was later termed Wallace's Flying Frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus). This article is about the biological organisms known as trees. ... Carte dAmérique, Guillaume Delisle, c. ... Species 32; see text. ... The Old World consists of those parts of Earth known to Europeans, Asians, and Africans before the voyages of Christopher Columbus; it includes Europe, Asia, and Africa (collectively known as Africa-Eurasia), plus surrounding islands. ... subfamilies Buergeriinae Rhacophorinae Moss Frogs are the members of the Rhacophoridae family; these frogs are found in tropical areas of Asia and Africa. ... The Old World consists of those parts of Earth known to Europeans, Asians, and Africans before the voyages of Christopher Columbus; it includes Europe, Asia, and Africa (collectively known as Africa-Eurasia), plus surrounding islands. ... Alfred Russel Wallace, OM, FRS (January 8, 1823 – November 7, 1913) was a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist and biologist. ...

See Also

• Flying and gliding animals
• Malabar Flying Frog

A number of animals have evolved aerial locomotion, either by powered flight or by gliding. ... Binomial name Rhacophorus malabaricus Jerdon, 1870 The Malabar Flying Frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus) is a species of tree frog found in the Western Ghats of India. ...

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Emerson, S.B., Travis, J., & Koehl, M.A.R. (1990). "Functional complexes and additivity in performance: A test case with 'flying' frogs." Evolution, 44(8), 2153-2157.
2. ^ ^{a b} Emerson, S.B., & Koehl, M.A.R. (1990). "The interaction of behavioral and morphological change in the evolution of a novel locomotor type: 'Flying' frogs." Evolution, 44(8), 1931-1946.
3. ^ Oliver, J.A. (1951). "'Gliding' in amphibians and reptiles, with a remark on an arboreal adaptation in the lizard, anolis carolinensis carolinesis voigt." The American Naturalist, 85(822), 171-176.