A. crepitans is a small (0.75 to 1.5 inches), slim-waisted frog with slender webbed toes and a triangle mark on the head. Dorsal coloration can be gray, light brown with dark bands on legs. There is a white bar from eye to base of foreleg. The skin is bumpy. Males have a single vocal pouch. A. crepitans is a non-climbing member of tree frog family (Barket 1964, Stebbins 1966).
It may be confused with the Striped Chorus Frog which has a whitish stripe along upper lip and length-wise brownish stripe on sides and back, toes slightly webbed. Northern Spring Peeper has smooth skin and x-shaped marking on back (Harding 1997).
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 4.9 (high) years.
A. crepitans lives on the edges of ponds and streams with submerged or emergent vegetation (Stebbins 1966).
Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams
Eastern and middle United States, Michigan to Northeastern Mexico, entering the short grass plains of eastern Colorado and northern Mexico along rivers (Stebbins 1966).
There are three subspecies: A.c.crepitans, northern cricket frog. Range: southeast New York to Florida and eastern Texas; this subspecies is extinct on Long Island.
A. c. paludicola, coastal cricket frog. Range: southwest Louisiana to southeast Texas.
A. c. blanchardii, Blanchard's cricket frog. Range: Michigan and Ohio to northeast and most of Texas, scattered records in Minnesota and Colorado (Harding 1997).
This species was common until the early 1970's. It is uncertain why the decline happened so quickly. Suspected reasons are drought, increased use of pesticides, fertilization, highway salts and other pollutants. Low populations and short life span limit recovery. Acris crepitans blanchardii disappeared in some sites, but remains common in southern and western regions. This subspecies is listed as special concern in the state of Michigan. It is important to monitor existing populations and to identify and preserve known habitats. MI has a volunteer frog survey program, through the MDNR wildlife division, Lansing. Residents in other states can contact their local DNR.(NPWRC 1999, Harding 1997).
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: special concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis
Important to humans for research and management. Used as an indicator species of water quality. Also used to measure pond and stream ecological standards (NPWRC 1999).
Main diet is insects, including mosquitos.
A. crepitans reaches sexual maturity at one year. Winter to summer, active all year except midwinter in the north. Female responds to male calls April through May and beginning of August. Call sounds like a metallic "gick, gick," resembles steely marbles, lasting approximately one second long. Eggs are less in number than other frogs. One at a time are laid and attached to plants in a pond or pool, while the male releases his sperm. Eggs hatch in a few days. Tadpoles have a black tipped tail unlike any other tadpole. Metamorphosis occurs between July and August (Conant & Collins 1991, Harding 1997).
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
Acris crepitans és una espècie de granota de la família Hylidae autòctona dels Estats Units i del nord-est de Mèxic.
L'època de cria transcorreix entre maig i juliol i la maduresa sexual dels capgrossos s'assoleix abans d'un any.
Menja insectes petits, incloent-hi mosquits.
Acris crepitans és una espècie de granota de la família Hylidae autòctona dels Estats Units i del nord-est de Mèxic.
The northern cricket frog (Acris crepitans) is a species of small hylid frog native to the United States and northeastern Mexico. These frogs are majorly in grey, green, and brown color with blotching patterns. Many have a brown or orange stripe down the center of their back and a triangular marking on the top of their head.[2] Despite being members of the tree frog family, they are not arboreal. These frogs prefer habitats near the edges of slow-moving bodies of water, and in close proximity to shelter items, like rocks.[3] It has two recognized subspecies, A. c. crepitans and A. c. paludicola.
The northern cricket frog is one of three smallest vertebrates in North America, ranging from 19–38 mm (0.75–1.50 in) long. Its dorsal coloration varies widely, and includes greys, greens, and browns, often in irregular blotching patterns. The dorsal stripes vary in brightness and hue and are not present until metamorphosis occurs. [4] One New York biologist has identified six distinct color morphs and four pattern morphs, and several intergrades between these.[5] Typically there is dark banding on the legs and a white bar from the eye to the base of the foreleg. The skin has a bumpy texture. It is very similar to the southern cricket frog, Acris gryllus, found in the US Southeastern Coastal Plain, but with some overlap along the Fall Line. The southern cricket frog has longer legs, with less webbing on the hind feet, and a more pointed snout, though northern cricket frogs have been observed with snouts indistinguishable from those of the southern species,[6] and the markings on the back of the thigh are typically more sharply defined than that of the northern cricket frog,[7] though biologists have recorded northern cricket frogs in the northern fringes of their range with extremely sharp posterior leg stripes. Northern cricket frogs do not have toe pads.[8]This frog is active throughout most of the year, with activity significantly decreasing during December and resuming around mid-March.[9]
Cricket frogs prefer the edges of slow-moving, permanent bodies of water. They prefer open, shallow waters with an abundance of aquatic vegetation.[10] Adults live in temperate environments while tadpoles live in shallow freshwater habitats with varying temperatures. [11] Large groups of them can often be found together along the muddy banks of shallow streams, especially during pre-migratory clustering. The northern cricket frog has been observed to hibernate upland, often at considerable distances from water. Given their small size and their large surface to volume ratio, it comes as no surprise that this species utilize microhabitats. There are various factors that influence microhabitat site selection for this species: temperature, proximity to water, shelter accessibility, etc.[12]
Frogs such as A. crepitans are important as an indicator of wetland health and general environmental quality in the areas they inhabit.
The genus Acris is composed of two species: A. crepitans and A. gryllus.[13]
The southern cricket frog has longer legs, with less webbing on the hind feet, and a more pointed snout, though northern cricket frogs have been observed with snouts indistinguishable from those of the southern species,[7] and the markings on the back of the thigh are typically more sharply defined than that of the northern cricket frog,[6] though biologists have recorded northern cricket frogs in the northern fringes of their range with extremely sharp posterior leg stripes. Compared to its southern counterpart, A. Crepitans is a stronger swimmer due to having more complete webbing on its feet. Additionally, it is less likely to hop on the water surface than the southern cricket frog.[14] Northern cricket frogs in Mississippi live in open mud flats, call far from shore, and quickly dive into water when disturbed. Southern cricket frogs inhabit low vegetation near shores, call near shore, and escape into vegetation, and quickly return to land when forced into water.[14]
The diet of Northern cricket frogs is strongly correlated with what is abundant and available. The most abundant above-ground invertebrates are dipterans, homopterans and spiders. Cricket frogs consume more ground-dwelling prey but such prey account for less volume of food consumed. Bigger frogs consume prey of longer length: less ants, springtails, mites and more leafhoppers, damselflies, butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, crickets. Cricket frogs generally feed little on aquatic species. A study of 279 A. crepitan stomach contents showed that ground prey composed of 45.6% of prey and 20.7% of the stomach volume, above ground prey composed of 33% prey and 38.7% volume, and aquatic prey composed of 3.2% prey and 5.0% volume, with the remaining being unidentified prey and non-prey items.[15]
Breeding generally occurs from late spring through the summer (May through August).[9] The males call from emergent vegetation with a high-pitched, short, pebble-like call which is repeated at an increasing rate. The sound suggests pebbles being clicked together, much like a cricket, hence the name. These click-like pulses are combined to form calls, and calls are repeated in call groups. Calls increase in the number of pulses and note duration from beginning to end of a call group.[16]
One egg is laid at a time, generally attached to a piece of vegetation. The 14 millimeters (0.55 in) tadpoles hatch in only a few days, and undergo metamorphosis in early fall. Maturity is usually reached in less than a year.
Almost all male frogs have a unique call with the purpose of attracting mates. These calls are defined by unique acoustic characteristics in order to attract female frogs of the same species. In frogs, auditory sounds are produced as a result of the interaction between the structure of the larynx (otherwise known as the voice box), vocal tract, and cartilages that control the flow of air out of lungs. Sound is produced when air hits the vocal cords, causing them to vibrate. The frequency of sound is dictated by the pressure of airflow through the larynx, as well as characteristics of vocal cords such as size and mass. Movements of various muscles in the throat and abdomen can create a pulsing sound.[17]
Using snout vent length as an indicator of body size, researchers found that a longer snout vent length corresponded to a lower frequency call and lower pulse rate as well as fewer pulses in general. The production of lower frequency sounds can be attributed to the slower movements of larger physiological structures. High frequency calls were observed to have a shorter duration and faster pulse rate. Other findings of this study on Acris crepitans male calling, which perhaps offers insight into frog calling in general, include relationships between physical anatomy and auditory characteristics. A larger middle ear volume corresponded to a longer call duration, and the number of pulses in the calls showed a significant negative relationship with arytenoid cartilage, vocal cord and constrictor muscle volumes. The pulse rate is also correlated with vocal cord, basal cartilage and constrictor muscle volumes, but not with arytenoid cartilage or dilator muscle volumes.[17]
Interestingly, northern cricket frog calls resemble calls of the Bufo genus even though two types of frogs are not closely phylogenetically related. Thus, the vocal mechanisms of the two frogs are assumed to operate the same way.[17]
The calls at the beginning of a call group have been found to vary independently of calls from the middle and end of the call group. Researchers have found that nearest neighbor distance, measured through the sound-pressure level of nearby calls, exert the biggest effect on variation in male calling. Additionally, calling behavior significantly changes during aggressive encounters.[18]
The amphibian papilla and basilar papilla of Northern cricket frog ears are tuned, or sensitive, to different frequencies; the Amphibian papilla is more sensitive to lower frequencies, while the basilar papilla is more sensitive to higher frequencies. Both papilla are more sensitive to frequencies of conspecific calls rather than to the frequencies of the calls of other species. Frogs of the same species generally prefer local calls, which are calls of other frogs located geographically close. One study demonstrated that the basilar papilla tuning is different among Northern cricket frog females from three different populations (Bastrop, Austin, Indiana), with Bastrop frogs having the highest tuning and Austin frogs having the lowest. Further tests demonstrated that some populations showed a preference to local rather than foreign calls, while other populations preferred foreign calls, and some with no preference. However, if there is a preference for call type, females generally prefer lower frequency calls. There appears to be a reasonable explanation for such a preference, since larger males produce lower frequency calls. Attraction to larger males is beneficial since larger males fertilize more females eggs. More specifically larger females are more sensitive to and prefer lower frequencies, while smaller females prefer higher frequencies.[16]
Subordinate males that have recently matured and cannot effectively compete with dominant male display patterns use alternative mating tactics, such as satellite behavior. The satellite tactic is intercepting and mating with females going toward other calling males. Interestingly, the frequency of this tactic is not related to the size of males.[19]
Other hylid species such as H. cinerea switch from calling to satellite in proximity of other strong-calling males. A study observed much fewer A. crepitans switching tactics, which can be explained by the overall lower occurrence of satellite males, less risk of predation, or lower mating success rate for satellite males of this species.[19]
The lipid stores of both males and females are lower during the breeding season than in non-breeding periods (pre-breeding, post-breeding, post-hibernation). Observation of dissected stomachs of males indicate that feeding is minimal or non-existent during the breeding season. Since feeding is reduced, males metabolize more lipids during this period. Lower lipid stores in females can be explained by an increase in ovarian size during the breeding season.[9]
Northern cricket frogs are preyed upon by a number of species, including birds, fish, and other frogs. To escape predators, they are capable of leaping up to 3 feet in a single jump and are excellent swimmers. It has been found that not only temperature, but hydration also has an effect on how far these frogs can jump. Being hydrated at a higher temperature is thought to allow them to jump farther and higher.[20]
Many animals can navigate using the sun as a compass in combination with an internal clock providing a sense of time, which is known as sun compass orientation. Other orientation cues used by cricket frogs include the moon and stars. Acris crepitans and A. gryllus, both cricket frogs, have been observed to show similar orienting mechanisms, namely the Y-axis concept. The Y-axis is a reference axis established by land and water. Frogs require information about shore position, direct view of a celestial cue, and sense of time in order for the successful use of Y-axis type of orientation during the day.[14]
Numerous environmental factors have been associated with sex determination in amphibians, including temperature, pH, and presence of foreign chemicals that affect the gonads. A study observing Northern cricket frogs in environments contaminated with organochlorides concluded that sites contaminated with point polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) were significantly related to sex-ratio reversal: contaminated sites had more males compared to control ponds, suggesting that organochlorines can influence cricket frog sexual differentiation. For example, the same study had shown that in certain parts of Illinois that are more industrialized and had organochlorine peptides there was a larger proportion of intersex frogs. In the case of Illinois, this was in the northeast. However, more environmentally friendly regions, like southern Illinois, had a more diverse frog population.[21]
Metabolic resources are allocated to different physiological systems. The amount of allocation may vary with changing external conditions and thus internal demands.[22] Much research has been conducted to demonstrate the balance of resources between immunity and reproduction, including that of Acris crepitans.[23] Male northern cricket frogs were collected at the peak of the breeding season and injected with sheep blood cells to elicit an immune response. Researchers found that spermatic cyst diameter, germinal epithelium depth, and gonadosomatic index were smaller in the injected males compared to males injected with saline (control) as well as their noninjected counterparts. This suggests that sperm production decreases under immunological stress. More generally and importantly, these results demonstrate that resource investment in reproduction decreases as more resources must be allocated to the immune system under immunologically-challenging conditions.[23]
Northern cricket frogs are diurnal and generally active much of the year, except in midwinter in northern areas when the water is frozen. They are freeze resistant so during winter months, they stay underground near the surface to resist freezing. Individuals can increase the concentration of body fluids to lower their freezing points, making them resistant to supercooling and flashpoint freezing.[20]
Acris crepitans morphologically unique among hylidaes because of their unusually small size. A snout vent length of 20mm marks sexual maturity. Females are slightly larger than males and can reach a maximum snout vent length of 38mm. The northern cricket frog's overall small size and limited skull ossification suggests miniaturization of this species. Miniaturization, or the evolution of a smaller body size, due to changes in anatomy, physiology, life history, and behavior over time. For this species, the necessity to rapidly attain sexual maturity could explain its miniaturization; frogs grow 12 to 26 mm within a few months in preparation for the breeding season.[13]
The cranial cartilages of these frogs are very mineralized with calcium, which reinforce cartilage as frogs develop into adulthood. These frogs possess small, thin, and long nasals, which is consistent with its being a small anuran. The nasals take a triangle-like shape. Other skeletal abnormalities of A. crepitans include lateral asymmetry in development of vomerine teeth and parasphenoid alae as well as tumor-like growth on the femur.[13]
Several hypotheses have been presented in an attempt to explain the observed abnormalities in this frog: small skeletal malformations are normally present at a high rate in this species, stress caused by habitat fragmentation, or there is environmental contamination.[13]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) The northern cricket frog (Acris crepitans) is a species of small hylid frog native to the United States and northeastern Mexico. These frogs are majorly in grey, green, and brown color with blotching patterns. Many have a brown or orange stripe down the center of their back and a triangular marking on the top of their head. Despite being members of the tree frog family, they are not arboreal. These frogs prefer habitats near the edges of slow-moving bodies of water, and in close proximity to shelter items, like rocks. It has two recognized subspecies, A. c. crepitans and A. c. paludicola.
Acris crepitans es una especie de anfibios de la familia Hylidae nativa de Estados Unidos y el norte de México. Existen tres subespecies.
Acris crepitans es una especie de anfibios de la familia Hylidae nativa de Estados Unidos y el norte de México. Existen tres subespecies.
Acris crepitans Acris generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Hylidae familian sailkatuta dago, Anura ordenan.
Acris crepitans est une espèce d'amphibien de la famille des Hylidae[1]. Elle a pour nom vernaculaire en français rainette grillon ou plus précisément rainette grillon boréale ou rainette grillon du nord. Contrairement à d'autres rainettes, cette espèce n'est pas arboricole.
Cette espèce se rencontre[2] :
Acris crepitans est une petite rainette (19 à 38 mm). Leur coloration est très variable (gris, vert, brun...) avec généralement des taches irrégulières. En général les pattes présentent des rayures foncées et une ligne blanche part de l'œil jusqu'à la base de la patte arrière.
Il s'agit d'une espèce diurne, active durant une grande partie de l'année à l'exception de la période hivernale dans les zones les plus nordiques lorsque l'eau est gelée.
Acris crepitans se nourrit de petits insectes, y compris des moustiques. À son tour, cette rainette est la proie de nombreux prédateurs (oiseaux, poissons, serpents, autres grenouilles...). Pour leur échapper elle est capable de faire des bonds d'un mètre et s'avère être une excellente nageuse.
Le cri du mâle ressemble à celui des grillons, ce qui est à l'origine de leur nom commun. La ponte a lieu en général d'avril à août. Les œufs sont pondus un par un et restent attachés à la végétation ou sont dispersés au fond d'une cuvette d'eau naturelle. Les têtards qui mesurent jusqu'à 14 mm éclosent en seulement quelques jours et se métamorphosent à l'automne. La maturité sexuelle est habituellement atteinte dans l'année.
Ces rainettes sont de précieux indicateurs de la qualité de l'eau et d'une manière générale de l'environnement dans lequel elles vivent. Depuis les années 1970, les populations d'amphibiens sont en régression, sans doute à cause de l'usage accru d'engrais et de pesticides. A. crepitans blanchardi est considéré comme espèce en danger dans l'État du Michigan et A. crepitans crepitans fait partie de la liste des espèces en voie de disparition dans l'État de New-York.
Il a été démontré que le développement de cette rainette est souvent altéré par une exposition au rayonnement ultraviolet, en particulier UV-B. Les études ont prouvé que le rayonnement UV-B a eu un impact significatif sur les populations d'A. crepitans, entraînant leur disparition de certaines zones notamment les plus nordiques. Ceci pour plusieurs raisons, d'une part le fait que les œufs étant pondus plus près de la surface sont davantage exposés aux UV-B (moins arrêtés par l'eau). D'autre part, ils ne se protègent pas les uns les autres car isolés et non pondus en grappe (pas d'effet d'"ombrage"). Enfin, les pontes intervenant plus tard dans la saison, les œufs sont soumis à une exposition plus longue aux UV-B.
Après des analyses moléculaires faites par Gamble, Berendzen, Shaffer, Starkey et Simons en 2008[3], cette espèce ne comporte plus de sous-espèces
Acris crepitans est une espèce d'amphibien de la famille des Hylidae. Elle a pour nom vernaculaire en français rainette grillon ou plus précisément rainette grillon boréale ou rainette grillon du nord. Contrairement à d'autres rainettes, cette espèce n'est pas arboricole.
Acris crepitans Baird, 1854[2] è un anfibio della famiglia Hylidae, sottofamiglia Acridinae, endemica del sud-est degli Stati Uniti d'America[3]. In inglese le rane di questa specie sono comunemente denominate Northern cricket frog.
Acris crepitans è una piccola rana, che misura solamente da 19 a 38 mm (è una delle due più piccole specie di vertebrati dell'America Settentrionale).
La colorazione dorsale è molto variabile (grigia, verde, marrone, ecc.), solitamente con macchie irregolari. In generale, le zampe hanno strisce scure e una linea bianca che procede dall'occhio fino alla base della zampa anteriore.
Rispetto a Acris gryllus ha il muso più smussato.
A. crepitans si nutre di piccoli insetti (grandi da 0,5 a 1,5 mm), tra cui le zanzare. A sua volta, questa rana è preda di molti predatori (uccelli, pesci, altre rane, ecc.). Per sfuggire loro, è in grado di fare salti di oltre un metro e dimostra di essere un'ottima nuotatrice[4].
Si tratta di una specie diurna, attiva per gran parte dell'anno, tranne nel periodo invernale nelle aree più settentrionali, quando l'acqua gela[4].
La deposizione delle uova avviene di solito tra aprile e maggio. Il verso dei maschi assomiglia al suono dei grilli, fatto che è all'origine del loro nome comune. Le uova sono deposte una ad una e rimangono attaccate alla vegetazione o disperse sul fondo di una pozza. I girini, che misurano fino a 14 mm, nascono in pochi giorni e subiscono la metamorfosi in autunno. La maturità sessuale è di solito raggiunta nel corso dell'anno[4].
La specie A. crepitans è suddivisa nelle seguenti sottospecie:
A seguito di recenti analisi filogenetiche[5], la specie A. crepitans non sarebbe più suddivisa in sottospecie; infatti:
Le tre sottospecie presentano la seguente distribuzione:
Le rane della specie A. crepitans privilegiano i margini dei corpi acquatici permanenti aventi lento movimento. Spesso si possono osservare grandi gruppi di rane situate assieme lungo le rive fangose di corsi d'acqua poco profondi, soprattutto durante il raggruppamento premigratorio. Si è osservato che A. crepitans trascorre il periodo invernale in terre elevate, spesso a distanze considerevoli dall'acqua.
Le rane come Acris crepitans sono indicatori importanti della salute delle acque e della generale qualità ambientale delle aree umide in cui vivono[1].
Un tempo A. crepitans blanchardi era abbondante nel Michigan meridionale, ma, a cavallo fra la fine degli anni '70 e l'inizio degli anni '80 del XX secolo, molte popolazioni del Michigan e del bacino dei Grandi Laghi scomparvero. La causa principale fu l'accresciuto impiego di fertilizzanti e pesticidi[1]. Così, A. c. blanchardi rientra fra le specie minacciate nello Stato del Michigan[6]. Acris crepitans rientra anche nell'elenco delle specie in pericolo nello Stato di New York[1]. La popolazione rimanente più grande di A. crepitans nello Stato di New York sopravvive nell'habitat del lago Glenmere e a Black Meadow nella Contea di Orange. Molti biologi ritengono che queste rane possano risentire di malattie, ma il trattamento bimensile dell'acqua del lago Glenmere con il fungicida solfato di rame sembrerebbe aiutare questa popolazione ad evitare la morte da infezioni. Questa rana è una specie in pericolo anche nel Minnesota e nell'Ontario, in Canada.
Si è dimostrato che lo sviluppo di A. crepitans è spesso alterato dall'esposizione alla radiazione ultravioletta, in particolare ai raggi UV-B[1]. Gli studi hanno dimostrato che l'impatto dell'irraggiamento da UV-B è molto significativo soprattutto nelle popolazioni più settentrionali, tanto da determininarne la scomparsa da alcune aree[1].
Tra le varie ragioni, vi è il fatto che le uova sono deposte in prossimità della superficie dei bacini d'acqua, dove i raggi UV-B sono meno filtrati; inoltre, essendo deposte singolarmente, non si proteggono reciprocamente (non vi è alcun effetto di ombreggiamento). Infine, poiché la deposizione delle uova avviene a stagione inoltrata, le uova subiscono la massima esposizione estiva ai raggi UV-B[1].
Acris crepitans Baird, 1854 è un anfibio della famiglia Hylidae, sottofamiglia Acridinae, endemica del sud-est degli Stati Uniti d'America. In inglese le rane di questa specie sono comunemente denominate Northern cricket frog.
De noordelijke krekelkikker[2] (Acris crepitans) is een kikker uit de familie boomkikkers (Hylidae).[3] De soort werd voor het eerst wetenschappelijk beschreven door Spencer Fullerton Baird in 1854. Oorspronkelijk werd de wetenschappelijke naam Rana pumila gebruikt.
Deze tot 3,5 centimeter lange soort, mannetjes blijven nog kleiner, doet pad-achtig aan met het gedrongen lijf, bolle ogen en zeer wrattige huid.[4] De kleurvariatie is erg groot 1) en valt nauwelijks te omschrijven; er zijn drie ondersoorten die ieder weer veel variatie kennen; lichtgroen, bruin, zwart en grijs als basiskleuren. Marmer- net- of vlekkenpatronen komen voor, veel exemplaren zijn uniform van kleur met op de rug een sterk afwijkende streep of vlek. Deze kan rood, geel, zwart, bruin of grijs zijn, veelal oranjebruin.
Het enige kenmerk dat bijna alle exemplaren hebben is een driehoekige vlek op de kop. De driehoek is tussen het midden van de ogen als rechte zijde en de punt wijzend naar de rug en ongeveer een centimeter lager liggend. Deze kleur is meestal de kleur van de streep op de rug, soms de kleur van de tekening. Overigens hebben ook andere soorten uit het geslacht Acris een dergelijke vlek; twee knobbeltjes bij de anus zijn een typisch kenmerk van deze soort.
De noordelijke krekelkikker leeft veelal op de grond, maar kan ook goed klimmen en springen. Ondanks de geringe lengte kan meer dan een meter ver worden gesprongen vanuit stilstand.
De naam krekelkikker slaat op de korte felle piepjes die de mannetjes produceren met de kwaakblaas om de vrouwtjes te lokken. Het lijkt een beetje alsof twee kiezelstenen tegen elkaar worden getikt; een statisch en metaalachtig tikkend geluid dat steeds sneller wordt herhaald en dan weer afneemt. De mannetjes doen dat urenlang van maart tot mei nadat de schemering is ingevallen.
Deze soort leeft in Canada (alleen in Ontario) en in de Verenigde Staten; Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia, en Wisconsin bij moerassen, plassen, beken en meren..
Locatie: Orange County, North Carolina, VS
Locatie: Durham County, North Carolina, VS
De noordelijke krekelkikker (Acris crepitans) is een kikker uit de familie boomkikkers (Hylidae). De soort werd voor het eerst wetenschappelijk beschreven door Spencer Fullerton Baird in 1854. Oorspronkelijk werd de wetenschappelijke naam Rana pumila gebruikt.
Acris crepitans é uma espécie de anfíbio anuros da família Hylidae.[2][3] É considerada espécie pouco preocupante pela Lista Vermelha da UICN.[1] Está presente em Estados Unidos.[3]
Acris crepitans é uma espécie de anfíbio anuros da família Hylidae. É considerada espécie pouco preocupante pela Lista Vermelha da UICN. Está presente em Estados Unidos.
Acris crepitans är en groda från Nordamerika som tillhör släktet Acris och familjen lövgrodor.
En liten, slank groda med grå, grön eller ljusbrun ovansida med svarta, orange, gula eller röda markeringar, en mörk, triangelformad markering på huvudet, ett vitt streck från ögat längs sidan av huvudet och mörka streck på benen. Bakfötterna har kraftig simhud, och huden är vårtig. Hanen, som vanligtvis är mindre än honan, har en oparig kindpåse. Längden uppgår till 2 – 3,5 cm.[2] [3]
Grodan finns i nästan hela östra USA med undantag för Florida och de allra nordligaste delarna. Nordgränsen i USA går vid södra Stora sjöarna-området, västgränsen ungefär mellan South Dakota och östra New Mexico. Dessutom finns den i nordöstra Mexiko och i isolerade populationer i sydvästligaste Ontario i Kanada samt vid South Carolinas sydkust.[1]
Grodan lever i och i närheten av oskuggade sankmarker, träsksjöar och långsamma bäckar både på öppen mark och i gles skog.[1] Trots att den tillhör lövgrodorna, är den ingen skicklig klättrare; den hoppar emellertid mycket bra. Lätet påminner om en spelande syrsa. [3] Grodan sover vintersömn, även om detta endast sker i vissa delar av utbredningsområdet.[4]
Arten jagar byten under större delen av dygnet, både på land och i vatten. Den livnär sig på ett stort antal mindre djur, framför allt insekter och spindlar, men även ringmaskar, mollusker och kräftdjur. Även vegetabilier förtärs ibland. Själv utgör arten föda för ett stort antal djur, bland andra amerikansk oxgroda, fiskar, ormar som strumpebandssnok, fåglar, sköldpaddor och däggdjur. Speciellt drabbade är de nyförvandlade ungdjuren, där en stor del dödas före första parningen.[4]
Parning och larvutveckling sker i grunda vattensamlingar, även temporära, som dammar, diken, träsk, långsamma bäckar, källor och även stora regnvattenpölar.[1] Leken varar från maj till juli med vissa regionala skillnader. Honan lägger upptill 400 ägg ensamma eller i små klumpar. Det tar mellan 1 och 3 månader för grodynglen att förvandlas, eventuellt längre. Grodynglen livnär sig på fytoplankton och perifyton (organismpåväxt på föremål i vatten).[4]
Acris crepitans är klassificerad som livskraftig ("LC") av IUCN, och populationen är stabil. I nordvästra delen av utbredningsområdet är den emellertid hotad.[1] Orsakerna till detta är inte helt fastställda, men man förmodar att utdikningarna och anläggningen av åkermark under 1800-talet, flygbesprutning mot ohyra, förorening av deras vattensamlingar med vägsalt och inplantering av rovfisk alla kan spela en roll. Den är klassificerad som starkt hotad ("EN") i New York.[3]
Acris crepitans är en groda från Nordamerika som tillhör släktet Acris och familjen lövgrodor.
Acris crepitans là một loài nhái bén nhỏ bản địa Hoa Kỳ và Đông Bắc Mexico. Có ba phân loài được công nhận. Nó là một trong hai loài động vật có xương sống nhỏ nhất của Bắc Mỹ, dài từ 19–38 mm. Màu sắc lưng của nó rất khác nhau, và bao gồm màu xám, xanh và nâu. Loài này hoạt động vào ban ngày và thường hoạt động quanh năm, ngoại trừ ở giữa mùa đông ở khu vực phía Bắc, khi nước đông lạnh. Chế độ ăn uống chính của chúng là côn trùng nhỏ dài 0,5 inch đến 1,5 inch, bao gồm cả muỗi. Chúng là môi của một số loài, bao gồm chim, cá, và loài ếch khác. Để trốn tránh kẻ thù, chúng có khả năng nhảy lên đến 2 mét trong một bước nhảy duy nhất và là loài bơi lội tuyệt vời.
Bài viết liên quan đến họ Nhái bén (Hylidae) này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Acris crepitans là một loài nhái bén nhỏ bản địa Hoa Kỳ và Đông Bắc Mexico. Có ba phân loài được công nhận. Nó là một trong hai loài động vật có xương sống nhỏ nhất của Bắc Mỹ, dài từ 19–38 mm. Màu sắc lưng của nó rất khác nhau, và bao gồm màu xám, xanh và nâu. Loài này hoạt động vào ban ngày và thường hoạt động quanh năm, ngoại trừ ở giữa mùa đông ở khu vực phía Bắc, khi nước đông lạnh. Chế độ ăn uống chính của chúng là côn trùng nhỏ dài 0,5 inch đến 1,5 inch, bao gồm cả muỗi. Chúng là môi của một số loài, bao gồm chim, cá, và loài ếch khác. Để trốn tránh kẻ thù, chúng có khả năng nhảy lên đến 2 mét trong một bước nhảy duy nhất và là loài bơi lội tuyệt vời.
