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Amphibians of Belize

Discover the diverse amphibian species of Belize, including salamanders, toads, and frogs found in different habitats such as forests and streams. Learn about their unique characteristics and adaptations.

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Amphibians of Belize

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  1. 18 April 2008 Amphibians of Belize

  2. Mostly occur in the north temperate regions • Only 1 family occurs in the New World Tropics • Plethodontidae – the lungless salamanders • Respire through skin/mucous membranes • Mostly forest dwellers, not very aquatic • Smooth, moist skin • Four appendages, tail Salamanders – Order Caudata

  3. Bolitoglossa mexicana a.k.a. “Black-and-gold salamander” Moderately large (150 mm) Toes fully webbed Yellow/rust spots Inactive during dry periods Found in rotten logs, etc. Mexican Salamander http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/herpetology/ccampbell3.jpg

  4. Bolitoglossa rufescens a.k.a. “Common dwarf salamander” Small species (65 mm) Digits fully webbed Pale brown/tan Dark brown streak behindeyes to mid-back Rufescent Salamander http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/imgs/128x192/1111_1111/1111/5203.jpeg http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/imgs/128x192/1111_1111/1111/7803.jpeg

  5. “Jumping and hopping” amphibians • Hind limbs elongate and well-developed • Males with vocal slits • External fertilization (in most anurans) • In all Belizean toads/frogs • Habitat use and appearance determine whether it is called a frog or a toad Toads and Frogs – order Anura

  6. “True toads” Occur in most tropical and sub-tropical areas Usually squat-bodied Hopping rather than jumping Skin warty, glandular, dry to the touch Parotoid glands behind eyes Family bufonidae - toads

  7. Bufo marinus • a.k.a. “Giant toad” • Large toad (150 mm) • Sexually dimorphic • Males reddish with spiny tubercles • Females pale grey/mottledwith rounded tubercles Marine toad (Cane toad) http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/images/nature_conservation/cane_toad.jpg http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/herps/Frogs_and_Toads/B_marinus/Bufo_marinus.jpg

  8. Bufo valliceps Moderate size (70 mm) Large triangularparotoid glands Skin warty, rough Coloration variable Gulf coast toad http://www.palaeos.com/Vertebrates/Units/Unit180/Images/BufoValliceps.jpg Class photo  http://www.hartmanprehistoricgarden.com/sp-bufo1.jpg

  9. Chirping, climbing, foam, leaf-litter, and stream frogs • Widespread in Americas • Large variety • Large to small • Smooth skinned to warty, toad-like • Genus Eleutherodactylus contains >500 spp. • Largest genus of tetrapods Family leptodactylidae – Rainfrogs

  10. Eleutherodactylus laticeps Broad-headed leaf-litter frog Dorso-lateral glandular ridges 50-80 mm Small toe discs Minor webbing between toes Broad-headed rainfrog http://portal.isis.org/partners/AARK/YOTF%20Campaign%20Pack%20images/Eleutherodactylus%20cf%20suetus,%20Ranas,%20Francisco%20José%20López.jpg

  11. Eleutherodactylus chac “Chac’s leaf-litter frog” X or hourglass shapeon back 30 mm Variable color Maya rainfrog http://piclib.nhm.ac.uk/piclib/webimages/0/29000/0/29094_sml.jpg http://web.viu.ca/belize/images/amphibian%20images/mayanfrogsmall.JPG

  12. Eleutherodactylus rugulosus “Long-legged stream frog” 50 mm Well-developed toe pads Interorbital bar Found near streams Central American rainfrog http://www.weimer-eurprobiol.de/frog37.jpg

  13. Leptodactylus melanonotus “Fringe-toed foamfrog” Color highly variable Thick glandular skin 40 mm Black-backed frog http://www.eitangrunwald.com/CR703/CR703Web2/7705Eleutherodactylus_sp.jpg Class photo  http://www.puce.edu.ec/zoologia/vertebrados/amphibiawebec/especies/anura/leptodactylidae/melanonotus/melanonotus29621_g.gif

  14. White-Lipped foamFrog • Leptodactylus labialis • Two phases (white, red) Class photos

  15. Physalaemus pustulosus Extremely tuberculate skin Resembles some toads 30 mm Lacks toe pads Dorsal mottlingvariable TÚngara frog http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/herpetology/acampbell32.jpg

  16. Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia… • Greatest diversity in Americas • Adaptations for arboreality • Large finger discs • Much cartilage between last 2 phalanges Family hylidae – TREEfrogs

  17. Agalychnis callidryas • Bright red iris; bright green/yellow body pattern • Widespread, abundant • 60 mm • Pointed snout • Long, slender limbs • Walk, not leap • Vertical pupils Red-eyed leaf frog Class photo

  18. Agalychnis moreletii Dorsum leaf green, venter cream/yellow Iris deep purple/black Restricted distribution 65 mm Slender limbs Large toe pads Vertical pupils Morelet’s leaf frog http://www.arkive.org/media/89/896F89F6-670C-4B57-A0E4-7A44373A2F12/Presentation.Large/photo.jpg

  19. Hyla bromeliacia Dorsum pale brown, black flecks Snout pointed Skin smooth Large toe pads Partial webbing 30 mm Bromeliad treefrog http://www.authenticmaya.com/images/Hyla_bromeliacia_small.jpg

  20. Hyla ebraccata “Hourglass treefrog” 30 mm Snout truncate Smooth skin Forearms robust Large toe pads Partial webbing Variegated treefrog http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2007/06/09/hourglass-treefrog/

  21. Hyla loquax “Loquacious treefrog” Snout broadly rounded 40 mm Toes webbed(nearly fully) Dorsum variablewith flecks Iris reddish tan Red-footed treefrog http://users.dickinson.edu/~bobacks/photos/loqax.jpg http://www.rarimages.com/BelizeImages/Amphibians/tn_MahoganyTreefrog(Hyla_loquax)1001.jpg

  22. Hyla microcephala Snout somewhat pointed 25 mm Partial webbing Dark dorsal markingsform H or X Venter mostly white Yellow (cricket) treefrog http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/herpetology/acampbell24.jpg

  23. Hyla picta “Painted treefrog” Snout rounded Toe pads small 20 mm Yellowish withdark flecks Stripe from snoutthrough eye Cricket treefrog http://www.andrewgray.com/projectanuran/SpeciesPages/Hyla%20picta.htm

  24. Phrynohyas venulosa “Milky treefrog” 90 mm Large toe pads Partial webbing Pale brown withdark blotches Chin, throat, bellywhite Pepper treefrog Class photo

  25. Scinax staufferi 25 mm Snout pointed andprotruding Vestigial webbing Stripe through eye Pale brown dorsum White, cream venter Stauffer’s (longnosed) treefrog Class photo

  26. Smilisca baudinii Baudin’s treefrog 65 mm Loud, raucous call Smooth skin Large digital pads Irregular dorsal splotches Mexican treefrog Class photo

  27. Smilisca cyanosticta • 60 mm • Snout rounded • Smooth skin • Limbs long,robust • Coloring variable with environment • Time of day, temp. Blue-spotted treefrog http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/herpetology/acampbell28.jpg

  28. Triprion petasatus • Unusual head shape • Skin co-ossified • 60 mm • Dark green with dark flecks • Transverse barson limbs • Iris gold (Yucatan) Casque-headed treefrog http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/936/15005809.JPG http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/herpetology/acampbell29.jpg

  29. Thin, translucent skin covering the belly Finger/toe pads Superficially resemble treefrogs (Hylidae) Pupil horizontal Family centrolenidae – glassfrogs

  30. Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni “Northern glassfrog” 22 mm Iris gold Dark melanophoreson dorsum Fleischmann's Glass Frog Class photos

  31. Campbell – Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Guatemala, the Yucatan and Belize. Beletsky – Travellers’ Wildlife Guides – Belize and Northern Guatemala. Information compiled from…

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