The amphituber family is a family of frog-like amphibians in all of the Pikmin games. Nearly every member has the ability to crush Pikmin, either by floating upwards and slamming down, or by just jumping. Also similar to frogs, tadpole variants exist, although the only one seen in-game is the Wolpole. Members belong to the amphicaris and volcanus amphicaris genus.

Members

ice

Main article: Chillyhop.

Scientific name: Amphicaris frigidae

i guess freezer and frog REALLY do rhyme at the start

help im being set on fire

Main article: Fiery Young Yellow Wollywog.

Scientific name: Volcanus amphicaris frodendum

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

big yellow frog

Main article: Masterhop.

Scientific name: Amphicaris frondiferorum (advanced age)

BIG BOING

tadpole

 

Main article: Wolpole.

Scientific name: Amphicaris frondiferorum (larva)

water

frog

Main article: Wollyhop.

Scientific name: Amphicaris albino

croak

yellow frog

Main article: Yellow Wollyhop.

Scientific name: Amphicaris frondiferorum

boing boing

bebi frog

Main article: Young Yellow Wollywog.

Scientific name: Amphicaris frondendum

awwwwww

In Pikmin Adventure

The following enemies exist in Pikmin Adventure, and are said in-game to belong to the amphituber family. They are, however, not canon.

lick

Main article: Large-Mouth Wollywog.

spikeball tounge

translickcent

Main article: Translucent Wollywog.

reflection fast

Naming

Amphituber is a portmanteau of "amphibian", the real world class that frogs are a part of, and "tuber", due to their potato-shaped body. Originally, members of this family used the name "Wollywog" or some variation. That word is a play on the pollywog, which means tadpole. Because "wog" is an offensive word in the United Kingdom, Wollywogs were renamed to Wollyhops, and the Wogpole to Wolpole, in the European versions of New Play Control! Pikmin, New Play Control! Pikmin 2, and Pikmin 3. Starting with the Nintendo Switch HD rereleases of Pikmin and Pikmin 2, all were renamed to the European variants in all English regions. "Hop" references these enemies's dangerous jumps.

Amphicaris is the genus for most members of this family, and likely comes from "amphibian". Volcanus amphicaris is another genus shared by some members, with Volcanus coming from volcano. This distinguishes the fire-based members from the rest.

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
  Japanese イモガエル科?
Imo Gaeru Ka
Potato frog family
  Chinese
(traditional)
薯薯蛙科
  Dutch Amfipiepers From "amfibie" (amphibian) and "piepers" (potatoes)
  French amphibercules From "amphibien" (amphibian) and "tubercule" (tuber)
  German Amphituben
  Italian Anfituberi
  Korean 덩이줄기개구리 과
  Portuguese Anfiberulídeos From "anfíbio" (amphibian)
  Portuguese (NoA) Anfiberulídeos
  Spanish Anfibérculos From "anfibio" (amphibian) and "tubérculo" (tuber)

Trivia

 
Animation alternating between the two Wollyhops.
  • In Pikmin, the Wollyhop and the Yellow Wollyhop share almost exactly the same bottom. Besides a small bit of the belly, front legs and "chin", as well as the Wollyhop's "tail", the geometry of the bottom half of the model is exactly the same.

See also