Descriptions of Two Species of Frogs, Genus Ptychohyla

Descriptions of Two Species of Frogs, Genus Ptychohyla - Studies of American Hylid Frogs, V

University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Henry S. Fitch, Robert W. Wilson Volume 13, No. 8, Pl. 25, figs. 1-2, pp. 349-357 Published April 27, 1961 University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas PRINTED IN THE STATE PRINTING PLANT TOPEKA, KANSAS 1961 28-6442 Field studies on hylid frogs in southern Mxico and northern Central America have resulted in the collection of numerous specimens of Ptychohyla, a genus of hylid frogs heretofore poorly represented in museum collections. Experience with the living frogs in their natural habitats has been helpful in defining the species and in formulating ideas concerning their relationships. Taylor (1944) proposed the generic name Ptychohyla for a new species of frog, Ptychohyla adipoventris [= Ptychohyla leonhard-schultzei (Ahl)fide Duellman, 1960] from Agua del Obispo, Guerrero. Taylor defined the genus as having large ventrolateral glands and horny nuptial spines in males. Stuart (1954:169) discussed the generic characters and pointed out that both the ventrolateral glands and horny nuptial spines were seasonal in their development, being found only in breeding males. Stuart then went on to describe Ptychohyla schmidtorum, a species characterized by the absence of horny nuptial spines in breeding males. My investigations of these frogs have revealed the presence of two groups of species. In both groups breeding males have large ventrolateral glands, but the two groups are easily separated by four characters. The first group contains, among others, Ptychohyla leonhard-schultzei, euthysanota, spinipollex, and another species in the Mesa Central of Chiapas to which I tentatively apply the name Ptychohyla macrotympanum (Tanner), 1957. This group of species is characterized by horny nuptial spines in breeding males, presence of a tarsal fold, a call consisting of a single long note, and tadpoles having lips not greatly expanded. The second group, as recognized here, is characterized by the absence of horny nuptial spines in breeding males, lack of a tarsal fold, a call consisting of a series of short notes, and tadpoles having greatly expanded lips. In this group belong Ptychohyla schmidtorum and the two species described below. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 31334
Author: Duellman, William Edward
Release Date: Feb 21, 2010
Format: eBook
Language: English