Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus SmiliscaDuellman, William Edward
Science
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca
Duellman, William Edward
Amphibians -- Central America; Frogs; Smilisca
All living adults are easily recognized by the presence of pale, usually
blue, spots on the flanks and thighs. Individuals under cover by day
have a tan dorsum with dark brown markings. A hiding individual at
Chinaja, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala (KU 55936), had a pale tan dorsum when
found; later the dorsal color changed to chocolate brown. A pale green
patch was present below the eye; the spots on the posterior surfaces of
the thighs were pale blue, and those on the flanks were yellowish green.
A calling male obtained 10 kilometers north-northwest of Chinaja (KU
55934) was reddish brown when found at night; later the dorsal color
changed to pale tan. A green patch below the eye was persistent. Usually
these frogs are green at night. The coloration of an adult male (KU
87201) from 11 kilometers north of Vista Hermosa, Oaxaca, Mexico, was
typical: "When calling dorsum pale green; later changed to dull
olive-green. Flanks dark brown with pale blue spots in axilla and groin
and bluish white flecks on mid-flank. Anterior and posterior surfaces of
thighs, inner surfaces of shanks, and median dorsal surfaces of tarsi
dark brown with blue spots. Canthal and postorbital stripes dark
chocolate brown; labial stripe creamy white. Forearm, tarsal, and anal
stripes pale cream-color. Throat dark brown with yellow flecks; belly
and ventral surfaces of limbs creamy buff; webs pinkish tan; iris deep
bronze, brown below pupil." (Duellman, field notes, June 24, 1964.)
Some individuals have both green and brown coloration in life. An
individual obtained at night on the south slope of Volcan San Martin,
Veracruz, Mexico, had a pale tan dorsum changing peripherally to pale
green. The dorsal markings were dark brown and dark olive-green.
In contrast to the color-changes noted above, the labial region below
the eye is always pale green, and pale spots are always present on the
flanks and thighs in adults. The iris is invariably golden or bronze
above and darker, usually brown, below. Minute black flecks are present
on the iris, and in some individuals these flecks are so numerous that
the eye appears gray.
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