Holman, J.A. 2004. Fossil frogs and toads of North America. - Bloomington, Indiana University Press

Abstract

It is a long time ago that I had to dissect a frog. I come from Europe but the poor frog that was lying on my table did not; it was the largest North American frog, the American bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. I guess that because of its large size these frogs often end on the dissection table for educational purposes, even on the other side of the Atlantic. I had to look for its intestines, urinary passages, cardiovascular system and nerves; the bones however, were given no attention. Later I became involved in (human) palaeontology, studying mammals, spending only little time at the bones of amphibians. So, I do not know anything about the skeleton of frogs. However, I hold a keen interest in living amphibians and reptiles and I usually plan my vacations at places where there are ample opportunities to see these animals in the wild. I also keep them at home and in my garden. Thus, this book brings two of my interests together; herpetology is my hobby, and studying fossil bones is my way of travelling through time. Read more...