Descriptions of Two Species of Frogs, Genus Ptychohyla: Studies of American Hylid Frogs, VDuellman, William Edward
Science
Descriptions of Two Species of Frogs, Genus Ptychohyla: Studies of American Hylid Frogs, V
Duellman, William Edward
Frogs
_Comparisons._--_Ptychohyla chamulae_ resembles _P.
schmidtorum_ in color pattern and body proportions, but the
ground color of _schmidtorum_ is chocolate brown and not
green as in _chamulae_. Also, in _schmidtorum_ the webbing
and posterior surfaces of the thighs are pale cream-color in
preserved specimens as contrasted with tan in _chamulae_. In
living _schmidtorum_ the iris is bright red, not reddish
bronze as in _chamulae_. The ventrolateral glands in
_schmidtorum_ more closely approximate one another
midventrally than in _chamulae_. It is conceivable that
these populations are subspecifically related; _schmidtorum_
occurs in the same kind of habitat as does _chamulae_, but
is known only from the Pacific slopes of southeastern
Chiapas and southwestern Guatemala, whereas _chamulae_ is
known only from the Atlantic slopes of the Mesa Central in
north-central Chiapas. Both of these species differ from
_Ptychohyla ignicolor_ in having a relatively larger
tympanum, more webbing on the foot, different arrangement of
anal tubercles, and different coloration.
_Description of Tadpole._--Six tadpoles having fully
developed mouth parts have body lengths of 5.5 to 11.9 mm.
and total lengths of 17.3 to 44.0 mm. The following
description is based on a tadpole (KU 58199) having small
hind limbs, a body length of 10.5 mm., and a total length of
39.0 mm. Body ovoid, only slightly flattened dorsally and
ventrally (Fig. 1); body only slightly deeper than wide;
eyes directed dorsolaterally and slightly protuberant;
nostrils small. Tail long and slender; greatest depth of
tail-musculature two-thirds greatest depth of tail-fin;
tail-musculature extending nearly to tip of tail-fin.
Mouth directed anteroventrally; thin fleshy lips greatly
expanded and forming large suckerlike disc; width of mouth
greater than width of snout and nearly as wide as body.
Outer edge of lips having small papillae; inner surface of
mouth smooth; scattered large papillae, seemingly in rows,
around teeth and beak (Fig. 2). Tooth rows 3/3; the upper
rows subequal in length; upper rows one and three
interrupted medially; lower rows one and two about equal in
length to upper rows; third lower row short. Upper beak
heavy and horn-covered.
[Illustration: FIG. 1. Tadpole of _Ptychohyla chamulae_
(KU 58199). × 2.5.]
[Illustration: FIG. 2. Mouthparts of tadpole of _Ptychohyla chamulae_
(KU 58199). × 16.]
Color (in alcohol) dark brown over entire body and
tail-musculature; a white area near base of tail, and a dark
streak on anterior one-fourth of tail; tail-fin transparent
having brown blotches.
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