hylids

Hylids, or tree frogs, are a diverse group of frogs in the family Hylidae within the order Anura. They are commonly known as tree frogs and their allies. The family comprises roughly 800–900 species in about 50 genera, with the greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Most hylids are arboreal, possessing adhesive toe pads that aid in climbing and stability on vegetation and other surfaces.

Physiology and ecology: Hylids are typically small to medium-sized, with slender bodies and long limbs. Toe pads and often prehensile digits facilitate an arboreal lifestyle. They occupy a range of habitats, including tropical forests, woodlands, and wetlands; many species are nocturnal and insectivorous. Reproduction varies; some lay eggs in standing water, others in tree holes or phytotelmata (water-filled leaf axils). The life cycle usually includes aquatic tadpoles, but several lineages exhibit direct development, skipping free-living tadpole stages.

Taxonomy and conservation: The circumscription of Hylidae has shifted with molecular studies, leading to changes in genus placement and in the status of related groups. Because of this, exact counts of species and genera differ among sources. Many hylid species are sensitive to habitat loss and chytrid fungus, making conservation concerns important in tropical regions. Notable genera include Hyla (historically), Phyllomedusa, Litoria, Dendropsophus, and Agalychnis, reflecting broad geographic distribution and ecological diversity.