axillary amplexus

Axillary amplexus is a specific type of mating embrace observed in some amphibians, particularly frogs. In this position, the male frog clasps the female around her armpits. This is characteristic of more advanced frogs, known as neobatrachians. This positioning allows the cloacae of both the male and female to be closer, which is believed to lead to more efficient fertilization of the eggs as they are laid. This contrasts with the mating embrace found in more primitive frogs, where the male grasps the female around the waist. The term "amplexus" itself comes from the Latin word for embrace.12