The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 08 (of 10)Gadow, Hans
Science
The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 08 (of 10)
Gadow, Hans
Animals
These three species of European brown frogs, difficult enough to
distinguish, have of late been increased by three more, thanks to the
sagacity of Boulenger. These latter inhabit South Europe, and the males all
lack the internal vocal sacs.
_R. iberica_ has a very small range, namely the north-western portion of
the Iberian peninsula, from the Tagus northwards into Galicia, but south of
the main extension of the Cantabrian chain. The rest of the Peninsula south
of these mountains has no brown frogs, the only species of _Rana_ being _R.
esculenta_. _R. iberica_ is rather local, being restricted to those hilly
and mountainous districts which are well watered. A favourite haunt is the
numerous streams in the wooded parts of the Serra Gerez, the red,
disintegrated granite of which suits this little, extremely active, and
reddish frog to perfection. The prevailing ground-colour varies according
to the district, from pale to dark reddish or orange brown, with red specks
and larger, dark brown spots, which in some specimens begin with the
Λ-shaped mark between the shoulders. Dark spots on the flanks are very
variable; the hind-limbs show the usual darker cross-bars, and the temporal
region has the conspicuous dark patch. The ground-colour of the under parts
is whitish, suffused with a pink tinge, and the throat is much speckled
with brown; the toes are pink. The size of this pretty frog amounts to 2
inches. The breeding time is the month of March. When caught and squeezed
they emit a slight "co-co-co."
{259}_R. graeca_ inhabits Italy and the Balkan peninsula from Rosina to
Morea, together with _R. agilis_, from which it is very difficult to
distinguish except that it is a little smaller, remaining below 2½ inches,
and is generally more uniformly pale grey brown to yellowish and pinkish
brown above, with scarcely any, or only a few, small dark specks on the
back and limbs. The temporal patch is likewise paler than in the other
species. The flanks are spotless, their colour gradually passing into the
light buff of the under parts, which are more or less marbled with grey.
The iris is golden, speckled with dark brown.
_R. latastei_ of Lombardy and Northern Italy down to Florence is the last
of these closely allied frogs. Its affinities lie with _R. iberica_ and _R.
agilis_. The latter and _R. latastei_, although living side by side in the
same locality, for instance near Turin, are said not to interbreed. The
voice is a rapidly uttered "keck-keck-keck;" the length remains below 2½
inches. The ground colour is greyish or reddish brown with a dark brown
Λ-shaped mark between the shoulders, and a few red, orange, or blackish
spots on the back. The flanks are without definite dark spots. The under
parts are whitish, with a strong pink tinge, especially along the middle of
the throat and on the chest, the paler portions being mottled with pale
grey brown.
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