Eleutherodactylus cystignathoides
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Eleutherodactylus cystignathoides, also known as the Rio Grande chirping frog, Mexican chirping frog, or lowland chirping frog, is a small eleutherodactylid frog.[1][2][3] It is found from the southern United States in Texas, and in the northeastern Mexico in the states of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, and Veracruz.[1][2] Its range in Texas has expanded because of transport in potted plants,[4][2] and has been reported in Northern Louisiana in Caddo Parish.[1]
Subspecies
Two subspecies are sometimes recognized,[1] although they are poorly delineated:[5] Template:Species list Only Eleutherodactylus cystignathoides campi occurs in Texas.[3][5]
Description
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Adult males measure Script error: No such module "convert". and adult females Script error: No such module "convert". in snout–vent length.[2][6] The snout is pointed and the body is flat and elongated.[3] Tympanum is visible. The finger tips are slightly expanded. Dorsal skin is weakly pustular, that of venter is smooth to areolate.[6] Dorsal coloration is variable (brown, gray, or yellow-green) and includes dark spots. Ventral skin is translucent. The hind limbs have dark crossbars.[3]
Behavior
Both males and females produce calls, which is rare in anurans. Moreover, male and female calls are remarkably similar. A smaller proportion of females compared to males were observed calling in two Mexican populations. Moreover, calling females were, on average, smaller than non-calling females. The function of female calling is not known, but it might function as an advertisement, similarly as the male calls.[7] Males appear to be territorial.[2]
Reproduction
Reproduction is terrestrial and direct, without a free-living larval stage.[4][2][3][7] Under laboratory conditions, eggs are laid just under the soil surface. Clutch size is 5–13 eggs measuring Script error: No such module "convert". in diameter. The eggs hatch as froglets that measure approximately Script error: No such module "convert"..[2]
Habitat and conservation
Eleutherodactylus cystignathoides occurs at low elevation coastal plains[2] and at low to moderate elevations in foothills.[4] Individuals can be found in moist shaded vegetation, palm groves, thickets, ditches, resacas, lawns, and gardens.[4][3] Many records are from urban settings. They can hide under cover objects during the day. They have been observed to utilize arboreal perches Script error: No such module "convert". above the ground.[2]
This species is quite common throughout its range and no major threats to it are known;[4] rather, they appear to thrive in the presence of humans.[2] Its Mexican range includes Sierra del Abra-Tamchipa and El Cielo Biosphere.[4]
References
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