Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus SmiliscaDuellman, William Edward
Science
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca
Duellman, William Edward
Amphibians -- Central America; Frogs; Smilisca
In preserved specimens the dorsal ground color varies from yellowish tan
to grayish brown. All specimens have dark brown dorsal markings in the
form of a pair of dorsal stripes, variously modified (Pl. 7A). In some
specimens, such as KU 91716, the stripes are discrete and extend from
the postorbital region nearly to the vent. In most specimens the stripes
are connected by a transverse mark in the scapular region and in many
others also by a transverse mark in the sacral region. In some specimens
the stripes are fragmented posteriorly; fragmentation is extreme in KU
30300, in which the dorsal pattern consists of two series of dark
longitudinal dashes. The other extreme is a nearly complete fusion of
the stripes, as in KU 91714. A dark brown interorbital bar usually
extends onto the eyelids, but in some specimens this is reduced to a
short V-shaped mark or small spot between the eyes. There is no dark
post-tympanic mark, but dark brown pigment forms a venated pattern from
the axilla to the mid-flank; the inguinal region is white, finely
mottled with dark brown. The dorsal surfaces of the hind limbs are
colored like the body and have two or three dark brown transverse marks
on the thighs, three to five marks on the shanks, and one or two marks
or irregularly arranged dark flecks on the tarsi. The anterior and
posterior surfaces of the thighs are pale tan to brown. The webbing of
the feet is tan to grayish brown. A narrow white labial stripe, white
anal stripe, and narrow white stripes on the tarsi and outer edges of
the forelimbs are invariably present. The ventral surfaces are creamy
white.
In life the dorsum is tan or pale brown with dark brown markings. Some
individuals have scattered metallic green flecks on the dorsum. The
flanks are mottled dark brown and creamy white. The posterior surfaces
of the thighs are dark brown. The vocal sacs are grayish brown, and the
iris is a deep bronze color.
_Natural History._--_Smilisca puma_ inhabits humid lowland tropical
forests having more or less evenly distributed rainfall throughout the
year. The equable climatic conditions seemingly permit these frogs to be
active throughout most of the year. Taylor (1952:846) found calling
males at Batan, Costa Rica, on July 20, 1951. We found the species
breeding near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, on February 19, June 18, July
13, and July 31. Specimens of calling males from Costa Rica in the
collection at the University of Southern California were obtained in
February at La Fortuna, on August 22 at Los Diamantes, on August 30 at
Jabillos, and on September 5 at La Lola. Gravid females were collected
in June, July and August.
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