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Family: Hylidae
Common Tree Frog, more...Treefrog (es: Rana, Rana)
[Hyla calypsa Lips, 1996] |
Adult: Species description based on Lips (1996) and Savage (2002). A small treefrog (males to 36 mm, females to 41 mm). Females generally appear spinier than males. Dorsal: The dorsal surface is metallic green mottled with darker drab green or brown blotches. The dorsum is covered in large spinous bumps. Ventral: The ventral surface is white with some scattered black blotches or smaller spots. Concealed surfaces: The groin and front and rear surfaces of the thighs are bright white with scattered black spots. Eye: The eye is cream-colored, darkening to brown around the outer edges. Breeding season: Breeding occurs from April to November (Lips 1996). Females may breed more than once in a single one reproductive season (up to three times, Lips 1996). Egg: Clutches of 10-36 eggs are laid on leaves overhanging streams (Lips 1996). The eggs are yellow upon oviposition but turn darker as they age (Lips 1996). Embryos hatch in 23-56 days (Lips 1996). Tadpole: The tadpole body is oval-shaped with a rather long tail and shallow tail fins (Lips 1996, Savage 2002). The coloration is brownish-orange (Lips 1996, Savage 2002). The tail has large grey patches that turn smaller and darker towards the tip (Lips 1996, Savage 2002). Tadpoles have a disc-shaped mouth that allows them to cling to rocks in streams (Lips 1996). Habitat: Lower montane forest from 1810 to 1920 m. Ecology: Lips (2001) characterized temporal variation in reproductive activity and the causes of egg-stage mortality in this species. Drosophilid fly infestation was a significant source of egg death, particularly late in the breeding season (Lips 2001). Call: A short, single note (Lips 1996). Behavior and communication: Males guard territories along stream margins (Lips 1996). Type locality: Finca Jaguar (1900 m), approximately 18 km NNE La Lucha, Coto Brus, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, 8° 55′ N, 82° 44′ W |
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