Rio Grande Leopard Frog
Encyclopedia
The Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Rana berlandieri) is a species
of aquatic frog
native to the southern United States
in Texas
and New Mexico
, and south through to central Mexico
. It is also sometimes referred to as the Mexican Leopard Frog. The epithet berlandieri is in honor of the Belgian naturalist Jean Louis Berlandier, who worked for the Mexican government on one of the first biological surveys of Texas.http://ebeltz.net/herps/biogappx.html
, though it can be often found during the day resting along the edge of the water. Despite their geographic range being mostly arid or semi-arid, they inhabit permanent water sources, such as streams, creeks and ponds. They are insectivorous
, but like most frogs, will eat almost anything they can overpower and swallow. Mating occurs during the rainy periods of the spring and fall. The males make a rattling call which is loud enough to be heard a quarter mile or more away. Eggs
are laid in large masses attached to aquatic vegetation.
of the Northern Leopard Frog
, (Rana pipiens), but was later recognized as a distinct species due to morphological
differences. Recent research has placed Rio Grande Leopard frogs in the subgenus Scurrilirana.
to New Mexico (where it is listed as vulnerable
), south through Mexico to Vera Cruz
, it is easily confused with other species that share its range, such as the Plains Leopard Frog
(Rana blairi). It is unknown whether hybridization occurs. The species has also been introduced to the Colorado River
in California
and Arizona
, and is known to be expanding its range south into Mexico in the state of Baja California
. It is believed to be contributing to the population reduction of the Lowland Leopard Frog
, (Rana yavapaiensis), which is native to the region. This expansion of range is the primary factor in the Rio Grande Leopard Frog being classified as least concern, by the IUCN Red List
.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of aquatic frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
native to the southern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and south through to central Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. It is also sometimes referred to as the Mexican Leopard Frog. The epithet berlandieri is in honor of the Belgian naturalist Jean Louis Berlandier, who worked for the Mexican government on one of the first biological surveys of Texas.http://ebeltz.net/herps/biogappx.html
Physical description
The Rio Grande Leopard Frogs grow from 2.25 to 4.5 inches in length. They are usually tan, brown or pale green in color, with distinctive black spotting with prominent light colored ridges down either side of the back. Their noses are angular, and they have long, powerful legs with webbed feet.Ecology and behavior
Primarily aquatic, and mostly nocturnalNocturnal animal
Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by activity during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal"....
, though it can be often found during the day resting along the edge of the water. Despite their geographic range being mostly arid or semi-arid, they inhabit permanent water sources, such as streams, creeks and ponds. They are insectivorous
Insectivore
An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....
, but like most frogs, will eat almost anything they can overpower and swallow. Mating occurs during the rainy periods of the spring and fall. The males make a rattling call which is loud enough to be heard a quarter mile or more away. Eggs
Egg (biology)
An egg is an organic vessel in which an embryo first begins to develop. In most birds, reptiles, insects, molluscs, fish, and monotremes, an egg is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum, which is expelled from the body and permitted to develop outside the body until the developing...
are laid in large masses attached to aquatic vegetation.
Taxonomy
The Rio Grande Leopard Frog was once considered a subspeciesSubspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the Northern Leopard Frog
Northern Leopard Frog
The Northern Leopard Frog is a species of leopard frog from the true frog family, native to parts of Canada and United States. It is the state amphibian of Minnesota and Vermont.-Physical description:...
, (Rana pipiens), but was later recognized as a distinct species due to morphological
Comparative anatomy
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of organisms. It is closely related to evolutionary biology and phylogeny .-Description:...
differences. Recent research has placed Rio Grande Leopard frogs in the subgenus Scurrilirana.
Geographic range and status
Found from Central TexasCentral Texas
Central Texas , is a region in the U.S. state of Texas. It is roughly bordered by San Marcos to Fredericksburg to Waco, and to Brenham, and includes the Austin–Round Rock, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Bryan-College Station, and Waco metropolitan areas...
to New Mexico (where it is listed as vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
), south through Mexico to Vera Cruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
, it is easily confused with other species that share its range, such as the Plains Leopard Frog
Plains Leopard Frog
The Plains Leopard Frog It is sometimes referred to as Blair's Leopard Frog, named after the noted zoologist and University of Texas professor, Dr. W. Frank Blair.- Description :...
(Rana blairi). It is unknown whether hybridization occurs. The species has also been introduced to the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, and is known to be expanding its range south into Mexico in the state of Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
. It is believed to be contributing to the population reduction of the Lowland Leopard Frog
Lowland Leopard Frog
The Lowland Leopard Frog, Rana yavapaiensis, is a species of frog in the Ranidae family.It is found in Mexico and the United States; in Spanish it is known as rana de Yavapai....
, (Rana yavapaiensis), which is native to the region. This expansion of range is the primary factor in the Rio Grande Leopard Frog being classified as least concern, by the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
.