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
_Natural history._--_Smilisca sila_ inhabits the Pacific slopes of lower
Central America where a pronounced dry season occurs. We have records of
males calling in December through May and also in August (latter date
from El Volcan, Chiriqui, Panama). The breeding season seems to be
correlated with the time of the year when the water is clear and at a
low level in the streams where these frogs breed.
Males call from the edges of small, shallow streams, from rocks in the
streams, or less frequently from vegetation overhanging the streams.
Females are most frequently found on the banks of streams, and clasping
pairs usually are in shallow pools in streams. One individual was found
in a bromeliad about three meters above the ground in the daytime.
The breeding call consists of a low squawk, usually followed by a series
of one or more rattling secondary notes (duration of primary notes, 0.06
to 0.28 seconds; of secondary notes, 0.14 to 0.48 seconds), repeated at
intervals of 4 to 20 seconds. The primary notes have 97 to 120 pulses
per second and major frequencies of about 900 to 2220 cycles per second
(Pl. 11B).
Eggs were obtained artificially in the field; the average length of ten
embryos in the neural groove stage is 2.4 mm., and the average diameter
of the outer envelope is 4.9 mm. Hatchlings have large, conical oral
discs, heavy gills, and a large amount of yolk; their average total
length is 6.3 mm.
Tadpoles have been found in pools in clear streams; some tadpoles have
been observed to cling by their mouths to rocks in the stream; others
were found on the bottom where they seek refuge among pebbles or under
rocks and leaves. A complete developmental series of tadpoles is not
available. Eleven tadpoles in stage 25 of development have body lengths
of 8.3 to 10.2 mm. (9.3 mm.), tail lengths of 17.3 to 21.0 mm. (18.8
mm.), and total lengths of 25.9 to 31.0 mm. (28.1 mm.). One tadpole in
stage 41 and one in stage 42 have body lengths of 11.5 and 12.5 mm.,
tail lengths of 27.2 and 29.5 mm., and total lengths of 38.7 and 42.0
mm., respectively. The snout-vent lengths of two specimens in stage 43
and one in stage 45 are 12.7, 13.0, and 13.6 mm., respectively.
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