Gray Wood Frog

An inconspicuous species, the presence of the gray wood frog is betrayed by the mating calls of the adult males, which are made from within a burrow or crevice amidst moss or under fallen logs (1) (5). During mating, (termed amplexus in frogs and toads), the male clambers upon the back of the female and grasps the body just in front of the hind legs. The female then produces a jelly-like cluster of around 90 eggs, which are fertilised by the male (6). The eggs are deposited in humid sites under logs or stones, close to a body of water, where they remain until the onset of rain causes the area to become flooded, at which point the eggs hatch and the tadpoles develop in the floodwater (1) (6). While this breeding strategy prevents the eggs from being exposed to aquatic predators, it relies upon rains occurring. Nevertheless, in the absence of rain the embryos can arrest development, and survive for up to 40 days on their abundant yolk reserves (2).

The gray wood frog occurs in many protected areas, and even in areas where it does not receive protection, it is tolerant of a degree of deforestation (1). Nevertheless, it is but one of a number of remarkable frog species found in the temperate Northogfagus forests of southern Chile (4), a habitat which is strongly in need of protective legislation in order to preserve the unique wildlife that it contains (1).

The gray wood frog was discovered by Charles Darwin in the dense forests of Valdivia, Chile. It has a brown upper body and limbs, marked with darker brown and brownish-yellow bands, which are most conspicuous on the limbs and feet. By contrast, the belly is pale, and marked with brown dots (3).

The gray wood frog mainly occupies humid, temperate southern beech (Nothofagus) forests, as well as bogs, marshes and wetlands surrounded by forest, and the shores of ponds and lakes within swampland (1)

The gray wood frog inhabits temperate forests of Chile and Argentina, from Concepcion in central Chile south to Coihaique. It is found between altitudes of 50 and 1,000 metres above sea level (1). While this species is mostly distributed on the mainland, small isolated populations also persist on Chiloé Island (4).

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Owing to the gray wood frog's wide distribution and presumed large population, it is not currently considered to be globally threatened. This species' habitat has, however, been degraded or cleared for exotic tree plantations and human settlements in some locations, particularly in the northern part of its range (1).

From Neuquén to lower Río Negro in Argentina, and Concepción to the Aysén Region in Chile.

LC. Least Concern.

América do norte

Adult morphology Snout-vent of about 30-35 mm. Head wide and flattened; snout round, seen from above and in profile. Nostrils illmost terminal. Canthus rostralis rounded. Maxillary teeth moderate. Vomerine teeth in two strong, circular patches slightly behind the choanae. Tongue subcircular, broad, slightly shared behind. Interocular distance larger than upper eyelid, and than the internarinal interval. Eye slightly prominent, its diameter less than the snout. Pupil horizontal. Tympanum large, distinct: its diameter 2/3 of the eye diameter. Foreleg and hindleg slender. When hindleg is adpressed, heel reaches the eye; when the femurs are bent at right angles to body, the tibio-tarsal articulations hardy touch. Fingers free: distal phalanges clearly T-shaped. Rate of the finger lengths: I-II-IV-III. Metacarpal tubercles well-developed; subarticular tubercles moderate. Toes very sligltly fringcd; web strongly reduced. Metatarsal tubercles weak. No tarsal fold. Skin finely granular; stronger granules on the lower surface of thighs. Dorsally brownish, with faintly dark speckles and a wide, W-shaped interocular spot. Throat grayish; belly marbled, with white and brown reticulations. Larval morphology Body ovoid in lateral view, two times longer than deep; dorsal contour gradually curved from middle of body to snout. Eyes small, separated by distance equal 1.7 times eye diameter, directed antero-dorsolaterally. Nostrils small, midway between eye and tip of snout. Spiracle sinistral and lying at about mid-point on body; anal tube short, dextral. Caudal musculature moderately robust; dorsal and ventral fins well developed; end of tail rounded. Mouth small, antero-medial, labial papillae interrupted anteriorly; tooth rows 2/3. Horny black beaks well developed, sharply serrated. Color in lifeš: dark brown above, abdomen transparent, internal organs visible. Minute guanophores are disposed on ventral area. Caudal musculature and fins with irregular spots. Color in formalin: colorless, almost gray.

sementes viáveis

anual

herbácea

Diagnosis A medium-sized austral frog, stouter than Batrachyla antartandica, with narrower T-shaped phalanges, a slightly skin, rounded head and the belly closeIy speckled with white and dark.

Batrachyla leptopus is a species of frog in the family Batrachylidae. It is found in Argentina and Chile. Its natural habitats are subantarctic forest, temperate forest, temperate shrubland, swampland, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, and open excavations. It is threatened by habitat loss.