This individual was calling from a low bush in the clearing at Chinajá.
None was found in the pond in the forest at Toocog. Stuart (1935:38) and
Duellman (1960:63) noted that _Hyla staufferi_ breeds early in the rainy
season. Nevertheless, I think early breeding habits do not account for
the near absence of this species in our collections from southern El
Petén. In early July, 1960, a few individuals were heard at a pond on
the savanna at La Libertad. In mid-July of the same year they were
calling sporadically from temporary ponds in the lower Motagua Valley.
Possibly the individual collected at Chinajá was accidentally
transported there in cargo from Toocog, from which camp at the edge of
the savanna planes fly to Chinajá weekly. My observations on this
species throughout its range in México and Central America indicate that
it inhabits savannas and semi-arid forests and usually is absent from
heavy rainforest. Stuart (1948:34) obtained this species at Cubilquitz
in the lowlands of Alta Verapaz.
=Phyllomedusa callidryas taylori= Funkhouser
Toocog, 25.
Between June 30 and July 2 this species was abundant at a pond in the
forest at Toocog. Calling males were as high as five meters in bushes
and trees around the pond. At dusk males were observed descending a
vine-covered tree at the edge of the pond; this strongly suggests that
the frogs retreat to this tree and others like it for diurnal seclusion.
Clasping pairs were found on branches and leaves above the water. The
eggs are deposited in clumps usually on vertical leaves, but sometimes
on horizontal leaves or on branches, vines, and aerial roots above the
water. Twenty-six clutches of eggs contained from 14 to 44 (average 29)
eggs. In a clutch in which the eggs are in yolk plug stage the average
diameter of the embryos is 2.3 mm. and that of the vitelline membranes,
3.4 mm. Most of the eggs are in the external part of the gelatinous
mass; the jelly is clear. The yolk is pale green, and the animal pole is
brown. As development ensues, the yolk becomes yellow and the embryo
first dark brown and then pale grayish tan. Upon hatching the tadpoles
wriggle free of the jelly and drop into the water. One clutch of 19 eggs
was observed to hatch in three minutes. Apparently, on dropping into the
water the hatchling tadpoles go to the bottom of the pond, for one or
two minutes pass from the time they enter the water until they reappear
near the surface. The average total length of seven hatchling tadpoles
is 7.4 mm. There is a moderate amount of yolk, but this does not form a
large ventral bulge. Large tadpoles congregate in the sunny parts of the
pond, where they were observed just beneath the surface. Many had their
mouths at the surface. Except for constant fluttering of the tip of the
tail, they lie quietly with the axis of the body at an angle of about 45
degrees with the surface of the water.
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