Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca — John Shaqi
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus SmiliscaDuellman, William Edward
Science
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca
Duellman, William Edward
Amphibians -- Central America; Frogs; Smilisca
The coloration of _Smilisca sila_ consists of a gray, tan, or pale
reddish brown dorsal ground color and a creamy white venter. The dorsum
is marked by dark brown, olive-brown, or dark reddish brown spots or
blotches (Pl. 7B). Usually the blotches are discrete, but in some
individuals they are interconnected and form an irregular dark mark on
the dorsum. There is no tendency for the blotches to form transverse
bars as in _Smilisca sordida_. In one specimen (KU 80467) the blotches
are fused and form two wide irregular longitudinal stripes, as in
_Smilisca puma_. In some females the dorsal markings are reduced to a
few small spots or are nearly absent (KU 92332), whereas in other
females the dorsal markings are bold. In one female (KU 91894) the
dorsal markings are narrowly bordered by pale blue, and numerous pale
blue flecks are present on the pale brown dorsum. In many individuals of
both sexes small white flecks are present on the dorsal surfaces.
Usually the flanks and posterior surfaces of the thighs have black
mottling enclosing pale blue spots and flecks, respectively. The dorsal
surfaces of the limbs are marked by dark brown transverse bars; usually
three or four bars are present on each forearm, thigh, and shank. The
coloration of the flanks and limbs varies geographically. Specimens from
southern Costa Rica and western Panama have distinct bars on the limbs;
the posterior surfaces of the thighs have brown reticulations enclosing
small blue flecks in specimens from Costa Rica and bolder, black
reticulations enclosing large pale blue spots in specimens from western
Panama. In specimens from Costa Rica the flanks are brown with pale blue
flecks, whereas in those from Chiriqui, Panama, the flanks are pale blue
with dark brown mottling in the inguinal region. Frogs from El Valle and
Cerro la Campana usually have distinct bars on the limbs; the posterior
surfaces of the thighs are colored as in frogs from Chiriqui, and the
inguinal region is pale blue with coarse brown mottling. Specimens from
Barro Colorado Island are marked like those from El Valle and Cerro la
Campana, except that on the posterior surfaces of the thighs fine black
reticulations enclose many dark blue spots. In specimens from Darien and
from Panama Province east of the Canal Zone (Altos de Pacora, Cerro
Jefe, Finca La Sumbadora, and Rio Pacora), the markings on the dorsal
surfaces of the limbs are indistinct or absent in males, but distinct in
some females. Intense brown and black pigment forms fine reticulations
delimiting bold blue spots on the flanks; this coloration extends to the
axilla in many specimens. Fine black reticulations enclose many dark
blue spots on the posterior surfaces of the thighs.
In females, the throat is creamy white; in some specimens scattered
brown flecks are present on the chin and throat. In breeding males the
anterior part of the throat is dark gray or dark brown.
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