Etymologies of Brazilian Amphibians

Herpetologia Brasileira - Suplemento 1
phryxa: G. phrix (φρίξ), ruffling, rippling. Cochranella phryxa Aguayo-Vedia &
Harvey, 2006. (“... The specific epithet phryxa is derived from the Greek
word phryx meaning ripple or fold. The new name is a noun in apposition
alluding to the numerous folds on the body of Cochranella phryxa ...”). In
the synonymy of Cochranella resplendens (Lynch & Duellman, 1973).
Phyllobates: G. phyllon (φύλλον), leaf + G. bates (βατες), walker, who walks
(from βαίνω, move by taking step). Phyllobates Bibron, 1840. (?). In the
synonymy of Allobates, Zimmermann & Zimmermann, 1988 (part.).
Phyllobius: G. phyllon (φύλλον), leaf + G. bios (βίος), existence or condition of
being alive; life. Phyllobius Fitzinger, 1843. (?). In the synonymy of Boana
Gray, 1825.
phyllodes: G. phyllon (φύλλον), leaf + G. -oeides (-οειδές), similar to. Hylodes
phyllodes Heyer & Cocroft, 1986. (“... in allusion to the difficulty of visually
distinguishing the frogs from leaves on or near the ground along streams
during the day ...”).
Phyllodromus: G. phyllon (φύλλον), leaf + G. dromos (δρόμος), action of running.
Phyllodromus Jiménez de la Espada, 1875. (?). In the synonymy of
Hyloxalus Jiménez de la Espada, 1870.
Phyllodytes: G. phyllon (φύλλον), leaf + G. dýtis (δύτης), diver. Phyllodytes
Wagler, 1830. (?).
Phyllomedusa: G. phyllon (φύλλον), leaf + G. medeon (μεδέων), medeousa
(μεδέουσα), ruling, holding. Phyllomedusa Wagler, 1830. (“... Φύλλον frons,
& μεδω impero ...”) 14 . The same root in Phyllomedusidae Günther, 1858.
Phyllonastes: G. phyllon (φύλλον), leaf + G. nastes (νάστης), inhabitant. (“...
From the Greek phyllon, leaf, and nastes, dweller, in reference to the leaf
14 This is the etymology given by Wagler (1830) when describing the genus Phyllomedusa; differs from later interpretations,
that point to the combination phyllou (φυλλου), leaf + medusa (μέδουσα), apparently in reference to
coelenterated jellyfish, alluding to the masses of gelatinous eggs deposited on the leaves of trees (i. a., Duellman,
1970).
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