Which frog species lack copulatory pads

While common, copulatory pads are not universal among frogs. They are typically absent in species whose mating strategies do not rely on a prolonged, forceful grip (amplexus).

Examples of frog species that lack nuptial pads include:

• Poison Dart Frogs (Family: Dendrobatidae): Many of these species engage in complex courtship displays and do not have the typical vigorous amplexus seen in other frogs.
• African Dwarf Frogs (Genus: Hymenochirus): These fully aquatic frogs have a more passive mating behavior and lack pads.
• Tailed Frog (Ascaphus truei): This unique frog uses a tail-like copulatory organ for internal fertilization, a different reproductive strategy that eliminates the need for the external grip provided by nuptial pads.
• Species with Explosive Breeding: Some species that breed in massive, chaotic gatherings may have reduced or absent pads, as amplexus is brief and less competitive.