Geographic range:
Nearctic, Neotropical: This frog inhabits the arid portions
of North America, including the Great Plains, Sonoran and Chihuahuan
Deserts, as well as the arid northwestern coast of México.
It occurs in two more or less isolated populations. The first ranges
from sc. Arizona south through the lowlands and foothills of Sonora,
Sinaloa and northern Nayarit. The second population ranges from se.
Colorado, s. Nebraska and Missouri south through Texas and Chihuahua
to s. Coahuila, San Luis Potosi and n. Veracruz. From sea level to
just about 1600 m.
Physical characteristics: A very
small frog with smooth skin, a pointed head and narrow snout. Despite
the narrow head it has a broad waist. The skin is smooth, yet glandular,
and the frog produces a toxic secretion. An inconspicuous fold is
present on the back of the head. The ground coloration varies, but
is usually either tan, brown or grey. This species differs from closely
related species in México by having a single tubercle on each
hind foot and by having toe tips which are not extended. 2 - 4.1 cm.
Taxonomy: No subspecies recognized.
The western population was formerly classified as G.
o. mazatlanensis, the Sinaloa Narrow-mouthed Frog.
Food habits: It feeds on small invertebrates,
especially ant and termites.
Behavior: This frog is strictly nocturnal,
and usually active only during periods of heavy summer rains. During
periods of inactivity, it seeks shelter in burrows, beneath fallen
vegetation, under rocks, or other surface debris.
Reproduction: It
breeds in a variety of temporary waters, including flooded fields,
rain pools, road side ditches, flooded mesquite bosques and cattle
tanks. It calls from the edge of pools, usually from within grass
or vegetation. The call is 1-4 second buzz which is declining in pitch
(Stebbins, 2003).
Habitat: This species inhabits a variety of habitats. They
have been found in upland Sonoran Desert, mesquite grassland, creosote
bush desert, Chihuahuan Desertscrub, thornscrub, desert grassland,
tropical deciduous forest, oak savanna, plains grassland, pinyon-juniper
woodland and disturbed agricultural areas.
Biomes: grassland, tropical forest
Conservation: A common frog throughout
it's range in the USA and Mexico, though rarely encountered due to
it's small size and secretive habits.
text by Chris
Grünwald |
|
