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UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Volume 17, No. 7, pp. 281-375, pls. 1-12, 17 figs.
July 14, 1966
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca
BY
WILLIAM E. DUELLMAN AND LINDA TRUEB
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
LAWRENCE
1966
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS, MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Henry S. Fitch,
Frank B. Cross
Volume 17, No. 7, pp. 281-375, pls. 1-12, 17 figs.
Published July 14, 1966
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Lawrence, Kansas
PRINTED BY
ROBERT R. (BOB) SANDERS, STATE PRINTER
TOPEKA, KANSAS
1966
[Illustration: Look for the Union label.]
31-3430
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca
BY
WILLIAM E. DUELLMAN AND LINDA TRUEB
CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 285
Acknowledgments 286
Materials and Methods 287
GENUS SMILISCA COPE, 1865 287
Key to Adults 288
Key to Tadpoles 289
ACCOUNTS OF SPECIES 289
_Smilisca baudini_ (Dumeril and Bibron) 289
_Smilisca cyanosticta_ (Smith) 303
_Smilisca phaeota_ (Cope) 308
_Smilisca puma_ (Cope) 314
_Smilisca sila_ New species 318
_Smilisca sordida_ (Peters) 323
ANALYSIS OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS 330
Osteology 330
_Descriptive Osteology of Smilisca baudini_ 331
_Developmental Cranial Osteology of Smilisca baudini_ 333
_Comparative Osteology_ 336
Musculature 341
Skin 342
_Structure_ 342
_Comparative Biochemistry of Proteins_ 343
External Morphological Characters 343
_Size and Proportions_ 343
_Shape of Snout_ 344
_Hands and Feet_ 344
_Ontogenetic Changes_ 344
Coloration 344
_Metachrosis_ 345
Chromosomes 345
NATURAL HISTORY 345
Breeding 345
_Time of Breeding_ 345
_Breeding Sites_ 346
_Breeding Behavior_ 346
_Breeding Call_ 351
Eggs 356
Tadpoles 357
_General Structure_ 357
_Comparison of Species_ 357
_Growth and Development_ 361
_Behavior_ 365
PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS 366
Interspecific Relationships 366
Evolutionary History 369
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 371
LITERATURE CITED 372
INTRODUCTION
The family Hylidae, as currently recognized, is composed of about 34
genera and more than 400 species. Most genera (30) and about 350 species
live in the American tropics. _Hyla_ and 10 other genera inhabit Central
America; four of those 10 genera (_Gastrotheca_, _Hemiphractus_,
_Phrynohyas_, and _Phyllomedusa_) are widely distributed in South
America. The other six genera are either restricted to Central America
or have their greatest differentiation there. _Plectrohyla_ and
_Ptychohyla_ inhabit streams in the highlands of southern Mexico and
northern Central America; _Diaglena_ and _Triprion_ are casque-headed
inhabitants of arid regions in Mexico and northern Central America.
_Anotheca_ is a tree-hole breeder in cloud forests in Middle America.
The genus _Smilisca_ is the most widespread geographically and diverse
ecologically of the Central American genera.
The definition of genera in the family Hylidae is difficult owing to the
vast array of species, most of which are poorly known as regards their
osteology, colors in life, and modes of life history. The genera
_Diaglena_, _Triprion_, _Tetraprion_, _Osteocephalus_, _Trachycephalus_,
_Aparasphenodon_, _Corythomantis_, _Hemiphractus_, _Pternohyla_, and
_Anotheca_ have been recognized as distinct from one another and from
the genus _Hyla_ on the basis of various modifications of dermal bones
of the cranium. _Phyllomedusa_ is recognized on the basis of a vertical
pupil and opposable thumb; _Plectrohyla_ is characterized by the
presence of a bony prepollex and the absence of a quadratojugal.
_Gastrotheca_ is distinguished from other hylids by the presence of a
pouch in the back of females. A pair of lateral vocal sacs behind the
angles of the jaws and the well-developed dermal glands were used by
Duellman (1956) to distinguish _Phrynohyas_ from _Hyla_. He (1963a)
cited the ventrolateral glands in breeding males as diagnostic of
_Ptychohyla_. Some species groups within the vaguely defined genus
_Hyla_ have equally distinctive characters. The _Hyla septentrionalis_
group is characterized by a casque-head, not much different from that in
the genus _Osteocephalus_ (Trueb, MS). Males in the _Hyla maxima_ group
have a protruding bony prepollex like that characteristically found in
_Plectrohyla_.
Ontogenetic development, osteology, breeding call, behavior, and ecology
are important in the recognition of species. By utilizing the
combination of many morphological and biological factors, the genus
_Smilisca_ can be defined reasonably well as a natural, phyletic
assemblage of species. Because the wealth of data pertaining to the
morphology and biology of _Smilisca_ is lacking for most other tree
frogs in Middle America it is not possible at present to compare
_Smilisca_ with related groups in more than a general way.
_Smilisca_ is an excellent example of an Autochthonous Middle American
genus. As defined by Stuart (1950) the Autochthonous Middle American
fauna originated from "hanging relicts" left in Central America by the
ancestral fauna that moved into South America and differentiated there
at a time when South America was isolated from North and Middle America.
The genus _Smilisca_, as we define it, consists of six species, all of
which occur in Central America. One species ranges northward to southern
Texas, and one extends southward on the Pacific lowlands of South
America to Ecuador. We consider the genus _Smilisca_ to be composed of
rather generalized hylids. Consequently, an understanding of the
systematics and zoogeography of the genus can be expected to be of aid
in studying more specialized members of the family.
Acknowledgments
Examination of many of the specimens used in our study was possible only
because of the cooperation of the curators of many systematic
collections. For lending specimens or providing working space in their
respective institutions we are grateful to Doris M. Cochran, Alice G. C.
Grandison, Jean Guibe, Robert F. Inger, Guenther Peters, Gerald Raun,
William J. Riemer, Jay M. Savage, Hobart M. Smith, Wilmer W. Tanner,
Charles F. Walker, Ernest E. Williams, and Richard G. Zweifel.
We are indebted to Charles J. Cole and Charles W. Myers for able
assistance in the field. The cooperation of Martin H. Moynihan at Barro
Colorado Island, Charles M. Keenan of Corozal, Canal Zone, and Robert
Hunter of San Jose, Costa Rica, is gratefully acknowledged. Jay M.
Savage turned over to us many Costa Rican specimens and aided greatly in
our work in Costa Rica. James A. Peters helped us locate sites of
collections in Ecuador and Coleman J. Goin provided a list of localities
for the genus in Colombia.
We especially thank Charles J. Cole for contributing the information on
the chromosomes, and Robert R. Patterson for preparing osteological
specimens. We thank M. J. Fouquette, Jr., who read the section on
breeding calls and offered constructive criticism.
Permits for collecting were generously provided by Ing. Rodolfo
Hernandez Corzo in Mexico, Sr. Jorge A. Ibarra in Guatemala, and Ing.
Milton Lopez in Costa Rica. This report was made possible by support
from the National Science Foundation (Grants G-9827 and GB-1441) and the
cooperation of the Museum of Natural History at the University of
Kansas. Some of the field studies were carried out in Panama under the
auspices of a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH
GM-12020) in cooperation with the Gorgas Memorial Laboratory in Panama.
Materials and Methods
In our study we examined 4151 preserved frogs, 93 skeletal preparations,
88 lots of tadpoles and young, and six lots of eggs. We have collected
specimens in the field of all of the species. Observations on behavior
and life history were begun by the senior author in Mexico in 1956 and
completed by us in Central America in 1964 and 1965.
Osteological data were obtained from dried skeletons and cleaned and
stained specimens of all species, plus serial sections of the skull of
_Smilisca baudini_. Developmental stages to which tadpoles are assigned
are in accordance with the table of development published by Gosner
(1960). Breeding calls were recorded in the field on tape using
Magnemite and Uher portable tape recorders. Audiospectrographs were made
by means of a Vibralyzer (Kay Electric Company). External morphological
features were measured in the manner described by Duellman (1956). In
the accounts of the species we have attempted to give a complete
synonymy. At the end of each species account the localities from which
specimens were examined are listed alphabetically within each state,
province, or department, which in turn are listed alphabetically within
each country. The countries are arranged from north to south.
Abbreviations for museum specimens are listed below:
AMNH--American Museum of Natural History
BMNH--British Museum (Natural History)
BYU--Brigham Young University
CNHM--Chicago Natural History Museum
KU--University of Kansas Museum of Natural History
MCZ--Museum of Comparative Zoology
MNHN--Museu National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris
UF--University of Florida Collections
UIMNH--University of Illinois Museum of Natural History
UMMZ--University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
USC--University of Southern California
USNM--United States National Museum
TNHC--Texas Natural History Collection, University of Texas
ZMB--Zoologisches Museum Berlin
=Genus Smilisca= Cope, 1865
_Smilisca_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 17:194, Oct.,
1865 [Type species _Smilisca daulinia_ Cope, 1865 = _Hyla baudini_
Dumeril and Bibron, 1841]. Smith and Taylor, Bull. U. S. Natl.
Mus., 194:75, June 17, 1948. Starrett, Copeia, 4:300, December 30,
1960. Goin, Ann. Carnegie Museum, 36:15, July 14, 1961.
_Definition._--Medium to large tree frogs having: (1) broad, well
ossified skull (consisting of a minimum amount of cartilage and/or
secondarily ossified cartilage), (2) no dermal co-ossification, (3)
quadratojugal and internasal septum present, (4) large ethmoid, (5) _M.
depressor mandibulae_ consisting of two parts, one arising from dorsal
fascia and other from posterior arm of squamosal, (6) divided _M.
adductor mandibulae_, (7) paired subgular vocal sacs in males, (8) no
dermal appendages, (9) pupil horizontally elliptical (10) small amounts
of amines and other active substances in skin, (11) chromosome number of
N = 12 and 2N = 24, (12) breeding call consisting of poorly modulated,
explosive notes, and (13) 2/3 tooth-rows in tadpoles.
_Composition of genus._--As defined here the genus _Smilisca_ contains
six recognizable species. An alphabetical list of the specific and
subspecific names that we consider to be applicable to species of
_Smilisca_ recognized herein is given below.
Names proposed Valid names
_Hyla baudini_ Dumeril and Bibron, 1841 = _S. baudini_
_Hyla baudini dolomedes_ Barbour, 1923 = _S. phaeota_
_Hyla beltrani_ Taylor, 1942 = _S. baudini_
_Hyla gabbi_ Cope, 1876 = _S. sordida_
_Hyla labialis_ Peters, 1863 = _S. phaeota_
_Hyla manisorum_ Taylor, 1954 = _S. baudini_
_Hyla muricolor_ Cope, 1862 = _S. baudini_
_Hyla nigripes_ Cope, 1876 = _S. sordida_
_Hyla pansosana_ Brocchi, 1877 = _S. baudini_
_Hyla phaeota_ Cope, 1862 = _S. phaeota_
_Hyla phaeota cyanosticta_ Smith, 1953 = _S. cyanosticta_
_Hyla puma_ Cope, 1885 = _S. puma_
_Hyla salvini_ Boulenger, 1882 = _S. sordida_
_Hyla sordida_ Peters, 1863 = _S. sordida_
_Hyla vanvlietii_ Baird, 1854 = _S. baudini_
_Hyla vociferans_ Baird, 1859 = _S. baudini_
_Hyla wellmanorum_ Taylor, 1952 = _S. puma_
_Distribution of genus._--Most of lowlands of Mexico and Central
America, in some places to elevations of nearly 2000 meters, southward
from southern Sonora and Rio Grande Embayment of Texas, including such
continental islands as Isla Cozumel, Mexico, and Isla Popa and Isla
Cebaco, Panama, to northern South America, where known from Caribbean
coastal regions and valleys of Rio Cauca and Rio Magdalena in Colombia,
and Pacific slopes of Colombia and northern Ecuador.
Key to Adults
1. Larger frogs ([M] to 76 mm., [F] to 90 mm.) having broad
flat heads and a dark brown or black postorbital mark
encompassing tympanum 2
Smaller frogs ([M] to 45 mm., [F] to 64 mm.) having narrower
heads and lacking a dark brown or black postorbital mark
encompassing tympanum 4
2. Lips barred; flanks cream-colored with bold brown or black
mottling in groin; posterior surfaces of thighs brown with
cream-colored flecks _S. baudini_, p. 289
Lips not barred; narrow white labial stripe present; flanks
not cream-colored with bold brown or black mottling in groin;
posterior surfaces of thighs variable 3
3. Flanks and anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs dark
brown with large pale blue spots on flanks and small blue
spots on thighs _S. cyanosticta_, p. 303
Flanks cream-colored with fine black venation; posterior
surfaces of thighs pale brown with or without darker flecks
or small cream-colored spots _S. phaeota_, p. 308
4. Fingers having only vestige of web; diameter of tympanum
two-thirds that of eye; dorsum pale yellowish tan with pair
of broad dark brown stripes _S. puma_, p. 314
Fingers about one-half webbed; diameter of tympanum about
one-half that of eye; dorsum variously marked with spots
or blotches 5
5. Snout short, truncate; vocal sacs in breeding males dark
gray or brown; blue spots on flanks and posterior surfaces
of thighs _S. sila_, p. 318
Snout long, sloping, rounded; vocal sacs in breeding males
white; cream-colored or pale blue flecks on flanks and
posterior surfaces of thighs _S. sordida_, p. 323
Key to Tadpoles
1. Pond tadpoles; tail about half again as long as body;
mouth anteroventral 2
Stream tadpoles; tail about twice as long as body;
mouth ventral 5
2. Labial papillae in two rows 3
Labial papillae in one row 4
3. First upper tooth row strongly arched medially; third lower
tooth row much shorter than other rows; dorsal fin deepest at
about two-thirds length of tail; tail cream-colored with dense
gray reticulations _S. puma_, p. 314
First upper tooth row not arched medially; third lower tooth
row nearly as long as others; dorsal fin deepest at about
one-third length of tail; tail tan with brown flecks and
blotches _S. baudini_, p. 289
4. Dorsal fin extending onto body _S. phaeota_, p. 308
Dorsal fin not extending onto body _S. cyanosticta_, p. 303
5. Mouth completely bordered by two rows of papillae; inner
margin of upper beak not forming continuous arch with
lateral processes; red or reddish brown markings on tail
_S. sordida_, p. 323
Median part of upper lip bare; rest of mouth bordered by
one row of papillae; inner margin of upper beak forming
continuous arch with lateral processes; dark brown markings
on tail _S. sila_, p. 318
ACCOUNTS OF SPECIES
=Smilisca baudini= (Dumeril and Bibron)
_Hyla baudini_ Dumeril and Bibron, Erpetologie general, 8:564, 1841
[Holotype.--MNHN 4798 from "Mexico;" Baudin collector]. Guenther,
Catalogue Batrachia Salientia in British Museum, p. 105, 1858.
Brocchi, Mission scientifique au Mexique ..., pt. 3, sec. 2, Etudes
sur les batrachiens, p. 29, 1881. Boulenger, Catalogue Batrachia
Salientia in British Museum, p. 371, Feb. 1, 1882. Werner, Abhand.
Zool.-Bot. Gesell. Wien., 46:8, Sept. 30, 1896. Guenther, Biologia
Centrali-Americana: Reptilia and Batrachia, p. 270, Sept. 1901.
Werner, Abhand. Konigl. Akad. Wiss. Munchen, 22:351, 1903. Cole and
Barbour, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 50(5):154, Nov. 1906. Gadow,
Through southern Mexico, p. 76, 1908. Ruthven, Zool. Jahr.
32(4):310, 1912. Decker, Zoologica, 2:12, Oct., 1915. Stejneger and
Barbour, A checklist of North American amphibians and reptiles, p.
32, 1917. Noble, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 38(10):341, June 20,
1918. Nieden, Das Tierreich, Amphibia, Anura I, p. 243, June, 1923.
Gadow, Jorullo, p. 54, 1930. Dunn and Emlen, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Philadelphia, 84:24, March 22, 1932. Kellogg, Bull. U. S. Natl.
Mus., 160:160, March 31, 1932. Martin, Aquarien Berlin, p. 92,
1933. Stuart, Occas. Papers Mus. Zool., Univ. Michigan, 292:7, June
29, 1934; Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 29:38, Oct. 1,
1935. Gaige, Carnegie Inst. Washington, 457:293, Feb. 5, 1936.
Gaige, Hartweg, and Stuart, Occas. Papers Mus. Zool. Univ.
Michigan, 360:5, Nov. 20, 1937. Smith, Occas. Papers Mus. Zool.
Univ. Michigan, 388:2, 12, Oct. 31, 1938; Ann. Carnegie Mus.,
27:312, March 14, 1939. Taylor, Copeia, 2:98, July 12, 1939.
Hartweg and Oliver, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 47:12,
July 13, 1940. Schmidt and Stuart, Zool. Ser. Field Mus. Nat.
Hist., 24(21):238, August 30, 1941. Schmidt, Zool. Ser. Field Mus.
Nat. Hist., 22(8):486, Dec. 30, 1941. Wright and Wright, Handbook
of frogs and toads, Ed. 2, p. 134, 1942. Stuart, Occas. Papers Mus.
Zool. Univ. Michigan, 471:15, May 17, 1943. Bogert and Oliver,
Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 83(6):343, March 30, 1945. Taylor and
Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 95(3185): 590, June 30, 1945. Smith,
Ward's Nat. Sci. Bull., 1, p. 3, Sept., 1945. Schmidt and Shannon,
Fieldiana, Zool. Chicago Nat. Hist. Mus., 31(9):67, Feb. 20, 1947.
Stuart, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 69:26, June 12,
1948. Wright and Wright, Handbook of frogs and toads, Ed. 3, p.
298, 1949. Stuart, Contr. Lab. Vert. Biol. Univ. Michigan, 45:22,
May, 1950. Mertens, Senckenbergiana, 33:170, June 15, 1952; Abhand.
Senckenb. Naturf. Gesell., 487:28, Dec. 1, 1952. Schmidt, A
checklist of North American amphibians and reptiles, Ed. 6, p. 69,
1953. Stuart Contr. Lab. Vert. Biol. Univ. Michigan, 68:46, Nov.
1954. Zweifel and Norris, Amer. Midl. Nat., 54(1):232, July 1955.
Martin, Amer. Nat., 89:356, Dec. 1955. Duellman, Copeia, 1:49, Feb.
21, 1958. Goin, Herpetologica, 14:119, July 23, 1958. Turner,
Herpetologica, 14:192, Dec. 1, 1958. Conant, A field guide to
reptiles and amphibians, p. 284, 1958. Duellman, Univ. Kansas
Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist., 13(2):59, Aug. 16, 1960; Univ. Kansas
Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist., 15(1): 46, Dec. 20, 1961. Porter,
Herpetologica, 18:165, Oct. 17, 1962.
_Hyla vanvlietii_ Baird, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:61,
April 27, 1854 [Holotype.--USNM 3256 from Brownsville, Cameron
County, Texas; S. Van Vliet collector]. Baird, United States and
Mexican boundary survey, 2:29, 1859. Smith and Taylor, Univ. Kansas
Sci. Bull., 33:361, March 20, 1950. Cochran, Bull. U. S. Natl.
Mus., 220:60, 1961.
_Hyla vociferans_ Baird, United States and Mexican boundary survey,
2:35 1859 [_nomen nudum_]. Diaz de Leon, Indice de los batracios
que se encuentran en la Republica Mexicana, p. 20, June 1904.
_Hyla muricolor_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia,
14(9):359, 1862 [Holotype.--USNM 25097 from Mirador, Veracruz,
Mexico; Charles Sartorius collector]. Smith and Taylor, Univ.
Kansas Sci. Bull., 33:349, March 20, 1950. Cochran, Bull. U. S.
Natl. Mus., 220:56, 1961.
_Smilisca daulinia_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia,
17:194, Oct. 1865 [Holotype.--"skeleton in private anatomical
museum of Hyrtl, Professor of Anatomy in the University of
Vienna"]. Smith and Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 33:347,
March 20, 1950.
_Smilisca daudinii_ [lapsus for _baudini_], Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci. Philadelphia, 23, pt. 2:205, 1871.
_Smilisca baudini_, Cope, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1:31, 1875; Jour.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 8, pt. 2:107, 1876; Proc. Amer.
Philos. Soc., 18:267, August 11, 1879. Yarrow, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., 24:176, July 1, 1882. Cope, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 32:13,
1887; Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 34:379, April 9, 1889. Dickerson, The
frog book, p. 151, July, 1906. Smith and Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci.
Bull., 33:442, March 20, 1950; Taylor, U. Kan. Sc. Bull., 34:802,
Feb. 15, 1952; Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 35:794, July 1, 1952.
Brattstrom, Herpetologica, 8(3):59, Nov. 1, 1952. Taylor, U. Kan.
Sci. Bull., 35:1592, Sept. 10, 1953. Peters, Occas. Papers Mus.
Zool. Univ. Michigan, 554:7, June 23, 1954. Duellman, Occas. Papers
Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 560:8, Oct. 22, 1954. Chrapliwy and
Fugler, Herpetologica, 11:122, July 15, 1955. Smith and Van Gelder,
Herpetologica, 11:145, July 15, 1955. Lewis and Johnson,
Herpetologica, 11:178, Nov. 30, 1955. Martin, Misc. Publ. Mus.
Zool. Univ. Michigan, 101:53, April 15, 1958. Stuart, Contr. Lab.
Vert. Biol. Univ. Michigan, 75:17, June, 1958. Minton and Smith,
Herpetologica, 17:74, July 11, 1961. Nelson and Hoyt, Herpetologica,
17:216, Oct. 9, 1961. Holman, Copeia, 2:256, July 20, 1962. Stuart,
Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 122:41, April 2, 1963.
Maslin, Herpetologica, 19:124, July 3, 1963. Holman and Birkenholz,
Herpetologica, 19:144, July 3, 1963. Duellman, Univ. Kansas Publ.
Mus. Nat. Hist., 15(5):228, Oct. 4, 1963. Zweifel, Copeia, 1:206,
March 26, 1964. Duellman and Klaas, Copeia, 2:313, June 30, 1964.
Davis and Dixon, Herpetologica, 20:225, January 25, 1965. Neill,
Bull. Florida State Mus., 9:89, April 9, 1965.
_Hyla pansosana_ Brocchi, Bull. Soc. Philom., ser. 7, 1:125, 1877
[Holotype.--MNHN 6313 from Panzos, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala; M.
Bocourt collector]; Mission scientifique au Mexique ..., pt. 3,
sec. 2, Etudes sur les batrachiens, p. 34, 1881.
_Hyla baudini baudini_, Stejneger and Barbour, A checklist of North
American amphibians and reptiles, Ed. 3, p. 34, 1933. Wright and
Wright, Handbook of frogs and toads, p. 110, 1933. Stejneger and
Barbour, A checklist of North American amphibians and reptiles, Ed.
4, p. 39, 1939; A checklist of North American amphibians and
reptiles, Ed. 5, p. 49, 1943. Smith and Laufe, Trans. Kansas Acad.
Sci., 48(3):328, Dec. 19, 1945. Peters, Nat. Hist. Misc., 143:7,
March 28, 1955.
_Hyla beltrani_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 28(14):306, Nov.
15, 1942 [Holotype.--UIMNH 25046 (formerly EHT-HMS 29563) from
Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico; A. Magana collector]. Smith and Taylor,
Bull. U. S. Natl. Mus. 194:87, June 17, 1948; Univ. Kansas Sci.
Bull, 33:326, March 20, 1950. Smith, Illinois Biol. Mono., 32:23,
May, 1964.
_Smilisca baudini baudini_, Smith, Jour. Washington Acad. Sci.,
37(11):408, Nov. 15, 1947. Smith and Taylor, Bull. U. S. Natl.
Mus., 194:75, June 17, 1948; Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 33:347, March
20, 1950. Brown, Baylor Univ. Studies, p. 68, 1950. Smith, Smith,
and Werler, Texas Jour. Sci., 4(2):254, June 30, 1952. Smith and
Smith, Anales Inst. Biol., 22(2):561, Aug. 7, 1952. Smith and
Darling, Herpetologica, 8(3):82, Nov. 1, 1952. Davis and Smith,
Herpetologica, 8(4):148, Jan. 30, 1953. Neill and Allen, Publ. Res.
Div. Ross Allen's Reptile Inst., 2(1):26, Nov. 10, 1959. Maslin,
Univ. Colorado Studies, Biol. Series, 9:4, Feb. 1963. Holman,
Herpetologica, 20:48, April 17, 1964.
_Hyla manisorum_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 36:630, June 1,
1954 [Holotype.--KU 34927 from Batan, Limon Province, Costa Rica;
Edward H. Taylor collector]. Duellman and Berg, Univ. Kansas Publ.
Mus. Nat. Hist, 15(4):193, Oct. 26, 1962.
_Diagnosis._--Size large ([M] 76 mm., [F] 90 mm.); skull noticeably
wider than long, having small frontoparietal fontanelle (roofed with
bone in large individuals); postorbital processes long, pointed, curving
along posterior border of orbit; squamosal large, contacting maxillary;
tarsal fold strong, full length of tarsus; inner metatarsal tubercle
large, high, elliptical; hind limbs relatively short, tibia length less
than 55 per cent snout-vent length; lips strongly barred with brown and
creamy tan; flanks pale cream with bold brown or black reticulations in
groin; posterior surfaces of thighs brown with cream-colored flecks;
dorsal surfaces of limbs marked with dark brown transverse bands.
(Foregoing combination of characters distinguishing _S. baudini_ from
any other species in genus.)
_Description and Variation._--Considerable variation in size, and in
certain proportions and structural characters was observed; variation in
some characters seems to show geographic trends, whereas variation in
other characters apparently is random. Noticeable variation is evident
in coloration, but this will be discussed later.
In order to analyze geographic variation in size and proportions, ten
adult males from each of 14 samples from various localities throughout
the range of the species were measured. Snout-vent length, length of the
tibia in relation to snout-vent length, and relative size of the
tympanum to the eye are the only measurements and proportions that vary
noticeably (Table 1). The largest specimens are from southern Sinaloa;
individuals from the Atlantic lowlands of Alta Verapaz in Guatemala,
Honduras, and Costa Rica are somewhat smaller, and most specimens from
the Pacific lowlands of Central America are slightly smaller than those
from the Atlantic lowlands. The smallest males are from the Atlantic
lowlands of Mexico, including Tamaulipas, Veracruz, the Yucatan
Peninsula, and British Honduras.
Table 1.--Geographic Variation in Size and Proportions in Males of
Smilisca baudini. (Means in Parentheses Below Observed Ranges;
Data Based on 10 Specimens From Each Locality.)
============================+============+==============+============
Locality | Snout-vent | Tibia length/| Tympanum/
| length | snout-vent | eye
----------------------------+------------+--------------+------------
Southern Sinaloa | 62.3-75.9 | 43.2-46.7 | 84.2-94.4
| (68.6) | (44.9) | (87.8)
| | |
Ocotito, Guerrero | 55.6-64.0 | 46.1-51.2 | 66.7-82.8
| (58.7) | (47.8) | (74.6)
| | |
Pochutla, Oaxaca | 56.1-65.1 | 44.7-49.4 | 73.0-84.2
| (60.2) | (47.5) | (77.4)
| | |
San Salvador, El Salvador | 57.0-68.0 | 42.1-46.1 | 74.6-83.3
| (62.1) | (44.9) | (77.6)
| | |
Managua, Nicaragua | 52.9-63.6 | 45.6-49.4 | 73.7-89.7
| (57.3) | (47.5) | (79.4)
| | |
Esparta, Costa Rica | 57.6-66.0 | 44.6-49.3 | 65.5-83.6
| (61.3) | (47.3) | (75.2)
| | |
Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas | 50.6-56.9 | 44.5-48.7 | 67.2-84.3
| (53.7) | (46.6) | (73.9)
| | |
Cordoba, Veracruz | 53.8-63.4 | 43.9-48.4 | 66.1-75.9
| (57.5) | (45.6) | (70.0)
| | |
Isla del Carmen, Campeche | 47.3-56.6 | 44.7-48.9 | 61.5-72.6
| (50.9) | (47.6) | (65.7)
| | |
Chichen-Itza, Yucatan | 49.6-57.1 | 45.2-53.4 | 62.7-80.7
| (53.8) | (49.5) | (72.6)
| | |
British Honduras | 49.0-59.6 | 47.5-50.7 | 67.9-76.8
| (54.9) | (49.1) | (72.2)
| | |
Chinaja, Guatemala | 56.8-67.6 | 47.0-51.0 | 70.0-82.8
| (63.2) | (49.5) | (73.6)
| | |
Atlantidad, Honduras | 52.5-65.1 | 49.8-53.6 | 56.1-76.5
| (57.6) | (51.5) | (67.0)
| | |
Limon, Costa Rica | 57.7-71.3 | 50.4-52.3 | 63.9-73.0
| (62.4) | (51.2) | (68.5)
----------------------------+------------+--------------+------------
The ratio of the tibia to the snout-vent length varies from 42.1 to 53.6
in the 14 samples analyzed. The average ratio in samples from the
Pacific lowlands varies from 44.9 in Sinaloa and El Salvador to 47.8 in
Guerrero; on the Gulf lowlands of Mexico the average ratio varies from
45.6 in Veracruz to 47.6 on Isla del Carmen, Campeche. Specimens from
the Yucatan Peninsula and the Caribbean lowlands have relatively longer
legs; the variation in average ratios ranges from 49.1 in British
Honduras to 51.2 in Costa Rica and 51.5 in Honduras.
Specimens from southern Sinaloa are outstanding in the large size of
the tympanum; the tympanum/eye ratio varies from 84.2 to 94.4 (average
87.8). In most other samples the variation in average ratios ranges from
72.2 to 79.3, but specimens from Veracruz have an average ratio of 70.0;
Campeche, 65.7; Honduras, 67.0; and Limon, Costa Rica, 68.5.
No noticeable geographic trends in size and proportions are evident.
Specimens from southern Sinaloa are extreme in their large size,
relatively short tibia, and large tympani, but in size and relative
length of the tibia the Sinaloan frogs are approached by specimens from
such far-removed localities as San Salvador, El Salvador, and Chinaja,
Guatemala. Frogs from the Caribbean lowlands of Honduras and Costa Rica
are relatively large and have relatively long tibiae and small tympani.
The inner metatarsal tubercle is large and high and its shape varies.
The tubercle is most pronounced in specimens from northwestern Mexico,
Tamaulipas, and the Pacific lowlands of Central America. Possibly the
large tubercle is associated with drier habitats, where perhaps the
frogs use the tubercles for digging.
The ground color of _Smilisca baudini_ is pale green to brown dorsally
and white to creamy yellow ventrally. The dorsum is variously marked
with dark brown or dark olive-green spots or blotches (Pl. 6A). In most
specimens a dark interorbital bar extends across the head to the lateral
edges of the eyelid; usually this bar is connected medially to a large
dorsal blotch. There is no tendency for the markings on the dorsum to
form transverse bands or longitudinal bars. In specimens from the
southern part of the range the dorsal dark markings are often fragmented
into small spots, especially posteriorly. The limbs are marked by dark
transverse bands, usually three on the forearm, three on the thigh, and
three or four on the shank. Transverse bands also are present on the
tarsi and proximal segments of the fingers and toes. The webbing on the
hands and feet is pale grayish brown. The loreal region and upper lip
are pale green or tan; the lip usually is boldly marked with broad
vertical dark brown bars, especially evident is the bar beneath the eye.
A dark brown or black mark extends from the tympanum to a point above
the insertion of the forearm; in some specimens this black mark is
narrow or indistinct, but in most individuals it is quite evident. The
flanks are pale gray to creamy white with brown or black mottling, which
sometimes forms reticulations enclosing white spots. The anterior
surfaces of the thighs usually are creamy white with brown mottling,
whereas the posterior surfaces of the thighs usually are brown with
small cream-colored flecks. A distinct creamy white anal stripe usually
is present. Usually, there are no white stripes on the outer edges of
the tarsi and forearms. In breeding males the throat is gray.
Most variation in coloration does not seem to be correlated with
geography. The lips are strongly barred in specimens from throughout the
range of the species, except that in some specimens from southern
Nicaragua and Costa Rica the lips are pale and in some specimens the
vertical bars are indistinct. Six specimens from 7.3 kilometers
southwest of Matatan, Sinaloa, are distinctively marked. The dorsum is
uniformly grayish green with the only dorsal marks being on the tarsi;
canthal and post-tympanic dark marks absent. A broad white labial stripe
is present and interrupted by a single vertical dark mark below the eye.
A white stripe is present on the outer edge of the foot. The flanks and
posterior surfaces of the thighs are creamy white, boldly marked with
black. Two specimens from Alta Verapaz, Guatemala (CNHM 21006 from
Coban and UMMZ 90908 from Finca Canihor), are distinctive in having many
narrow transverse bands on the limbs and fine reticulations on the
flanks. Two specimens from Limon Province, Costa Rica (KU 34927 from
Batan and 36789 from Suretka), lack a dorsal pattern; instead these
specimens are nearly uniform brown above and have only a few small dark
brown spots on the back and lack transverse bands on the limbs. The
post-tympanic dark marks and dark mottling on the flanks are absent.
Specimens lacking the usual dorsal markings are known from scattered
localities on the Caribbean lowlands from Guatemala to Costa Rica.
The coloration in life is highly variable; much of the apparent
variation is due to metachrosis, for individuals of _Smilisca baudini_
are capable of undergoing drastic and rapid change in coloration. When
active at night the frogs usually are pale bright green with olive-green
markings, olive-green with brown markings, or pale brown with dark brown
markings. The dark markings on the back and dorsal surfaces of the limbs
are narrowly outlined by black. The pale area below the eye and just
posterior to the broad suborbital dark bar is creamy white, pale green,
or ashy gray in life. The presence of this mark is an excellent
character by which to identify juveniles of the species. The flanks are
creamy yellow, or yellow with brown or black mottling. In most
individuals the belly is white, but in specimens from southern El Peten
and northern Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, the belly is yellow, especially
posteriorly. The iris varies from golden bronze to dull bronze with
black reticulations, somewhat darker ventrally.
_Natural History._--Throughout most of its range _Smilisca baudini_
occurs in sub-humid habitats; consequently the activity is controlled by
the seasonal nature of the rainfall and usually extends from May or June
through September. Throughout Mexico and Central America the species is
known to call and breed in June, July, and August. Several records
indicate that the breeding season in Central America is more lengthy.
Gaige, Hartweg, and Stuart (1937:4) noted gravid females collected at El
Recreo, Nicaragua, in August and September. Schmidt (1941:486) reported
calling males in February in British Honduras. Stuart (1958:17) stated
that tadpoles were found in mid-February, juveniles in February and
March and half-grown individuals from mid-March to mid-May at Tikal, El
Peten, Guatemala. Stuart (1961:74) reported juveniles from Tikal in
July, and that individuals were active at night when there had been
light rain in the dry season in February and March in El Peten,
Guatemala. _Smilisca baudini_ seeks daytime retreats in bromeliads,
elephant-ear plants (_Xanthosoma_), and beneath bark or in holes in
trees. By far the most utilized retreat in the dry season in parts of
the range is beneath the outer sheaths of banana plants. Large numbers
of these frogs were found in banana plants at Cuautlapan, Veracruz, in
March, 1956, in March and December, 1959.
Large breeding congregations of this frog are often found at the time of
the first heavy rains in the wet season. Gadow (1908:76) estimated
45,000 frogs at one breeding site in Veracruz. In the vicinity of
Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, large numbers of individuals were found around rain
pools and roadside ditches in July, 1956, and July, 1958; large
concentrations were found near Chinaja, Guatemala, in June, 1960, and
near Esparta, Costa Rica in July, 1961. Usually males call from the
ground at the edge of the water or not infrequently sit in shallow
water, but sometimes males call from bushes and low trees around the
water. Stuart (1935:38) recorded individuals calling and breeding
throughout the day at La Libertad, Guatemala. _Smilisca baudini_ usually
is absent from breeding congregations of hylids; frequently _S. baudini_
breeds alone in small temporary pools separated from large ponds where
numerous other species are breeding. In Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico, _S.
baudini_ breeds in the same ponds with _Rhinophrynus dorsalis_, _Bufo
marmoreus_, _Engystomops pustulosus_, and _Diaglena reticulata_, and in
the vicinity of Esparta, Costa Rica, _S. baudini_ breeds in ponds with
_Bufo coccifer_, _Hyla staufferi_, and _Phrynohyas venulosa_. In nearly
all instances the breeding sites of _S. baudini_ are shallow, temporary
pools.
The breeding call of _Smilisca baudini_ consists of a series of short
explosive notes. Each note has a duration of 0.09 to 0.13 seconds; two
to 15 notes make up a call group. Individual call groups are spaced from
about 15 seconds to several minutes apart. The notes are moderately
high-pitched and resemble "wonk-wonk-wonk." Little vibration is
discernible in the notes, which have 140 to 195 pulses per second and a
dominant frequency of 2400 to 2725 cycles per second (Pl. 10A).
The eggs are laid as a surface film on the water in temporary pools. The
only membrane enclosing the individual eggs is the vitelline membrane.
In ten eggs (KU 62154 from San Salvador, El Salvador) the average
diameter of the embryos in first cleavage is 1.3 mm. and of the
vitelline membranes, 1.5 mm. Hatchling tadpoles have body lengths of 2.6
to 2.7 mm. and total lengths of 5.1 to 5.4 mm. The body and caudal
musculature is brown; the fins are densely flecked with brown. The gills
are long and filamentous. Growth and development of tadpoles are
summarized in Table 9.
A typical tadpole in stage 30 of development (KU 60018 from Chinaja,
Alta Verapaz, Guatemala) has a body length of 8.7 mm., a tail length of
13.6 mm., and a total length of 22.3 mm.; body slightly wider than deep;
snout rounded dorsally and laterally; eyes widely separated, directed
dorsolaterally; nostril about midway between eye and tip of snout; mouth
anteroventral; spiracle sinistral, located about midway on length of
body and slightly below midline; anal tube dextral; caudal musculature
slender, slightly curved upward distally; dorsal fin extending onto
body, deepest at about one-third length of tail; depth of dorsal fin
slightly more than that of ventral fin at mid-length of tail; dorsal
part of body dark brown; pale crescent-shaped mark on posterior part of
body; ventral surfaces transparent with scattered brown pigment
ventrolaterally, especially below eye; caudal musculature pale tan with
a dark brown longitudinal streak on middle of anterior one-third of
tail; dorsum of anterior one-third of tail dark brown; brown flecks and
blotches on rest of caudal musculature, on all of dorsal fin, and on
posterior two-thirds of ventral fin; iris bronze in life (Fig. 11).
Mouth small; median third of upper lip bare; rest of mouth bordered by
two rows of conical papillae; lateral fold present; tooth rows 2/3; two
upper rows about equal in length; second row broadly interrupted
medially, three lower rows complete, first and second equal in length,
slightly shorter than upper rows; third lower row shortest; first upper
row sharply curved anteriorly in midline; upper beak moderately deep,
forming a board arch with slender lateral processes; lower beak more
slender, broadly V-shaped; both beaks bearing blunt serrations
(Fig. 15A).
In tadpoles having fully developed mouthparts the tooth-row formula of
2/3 is invariable, but the coloration is highly variable. The color and
pattern described above is about average. Some tadpoles are much
darker, such as those from 11 kilometers north of Vista Hermosa, Oaxaca,
(KU 87639-44), 3.5 kilometers east of Yokdzonot, Yucatan (KU 71720), and
4 kilometers west-southwest Puerto Juarez, Quintana Roo, Mexico (KU
71721), whereas others, notably from 17 kilometers northeast of
Juchatengo, Oaxaca, Mexico (KU 87645), are much paler and lack the dark
markings on the caudal musculature. The variation in intensity of
pigmentation possibly can be correlated with environmental conditions,
especially the amount of light. In general, tadpoles that were found in
open, sunlit pools are pallid by comparison with those from shaded
forest pools. These subjective comparisons were made with preserved
specimens; detailed comparative data on living tadpoles are not
available.
The relative length and depth of the tail are variable; in some
individuals the greatest depth of the tail is about at mid-length of the
tail, whereas in most specimens the tail is deepest at about one-third
its length. The length of the tail relative to the total length
is usually 58 to 64 per cent in tadpoles in stages 29 and 30 of
development. In some individuals the tail is about 70 per cent of the
total length. On the basis of the material examined, these variations in
proportions do not show geographical trends. Probably the proportions
are a reflection of crowding of the tadpoles in the pools where they are
developing or possibly due to water currents or other environmental
factors.
Stuart (1948:26) described and illustrated the tadpole of _Smilisca
baudini_ from Finca Chejel, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. The description and
figures agree with ours, except that the first lower tooth row does not
have a sharp angle medially in Stuart's figure. He (1948:27) stated that
color in tadpoles from different localities probably varies with
soil color and turbidity of water. Maslin (1963:125) described and
illustrated tadpoles of _S. baudini_ from Piste, Yucatan, Mexico. These
specimens are heavily pigmented like specimens that we have examined
from the Yucatan Peninsula and from other places in the range of the
species. Maslin stated that the anal tube is median in the specimens
that he examined; we have not studied Maslin's specimens, but all
tadpoles of _Smilisca_ that we have examined have a dextral anal tube.
Newly metamorphosed young have snout-vent lengths of 12.0 to 15.5 mm.
(average 13.4 in 23 specimens). The largest young are from La Libertad,
El Peten, Guatemala; these have snout-vent lengths of 14.0 to 15.5 mm.
(average 14.5 in five specimens). Young from 11 kilometers north of
Vista Hermosa, Oaxaca, Mexico, are the smallest and have snout-vent
lengths of 12.0 to 12.5 mm. (average 12.3 in three specimens). Recently
metamorphosed young usually are dull olive green above and white below;
brown transverse bands are visible on the hind limbs. The labial
markings characteristic of the adults are represented only by a creamy
white suborbital spot, which is a good diagnostic mark for young of this
species. In life the iris is pale gold.
_Remarks_: The considerable variation in color and the extensive
geographic distribution of _Smilisca baudini_ have resulted in the
proposal of eight specific names for the frogs that we consider to
represent one species. Dumeril and Bibron (1841:564) proposed the name
_Hyla baudini_ for a specimen (MNHN 4798) from Mexico. Smith and Taylor
(1950:347) restricted the type locality to Cordoba, Veracruz, Mexico, an
area where the species occurs in abundance. Baird (1854:61) named _Hyla
vanvlieti_ from Brownsville, Texas, and (1859:35) labelled the figures
of _Hyla vanvlieti_ [= _Hyla baudini_] on plate 38 as _Hyla vociferans_,
a _nomen nudum_. Cope (1862:359) named _Hyla muricolor_ from Mirador,
Veracruz, Mexico, and (1865:194) used the name _Smilisca daulinia_ for
a skeleton that he employed as the basis for the cranial characters
diagnostic of the genus _Smilisca_, as defined by him. Although we
cannot be certain, Cope apparently inadvertently used _daulinia_ for
_baudini_, just as he used _daudinii_ for _baudini_ (1871:205). Brocchi
(1877:125) named _Hyla pansosana_ from Panzos, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.
[Illustration: PLATE 1
A
B
Dorsal views of skulls of young _Smilisca baudini_: (A) recently
metamorphosed young (KU 60026), snout-vent length 12.6 mm. x23;
(B) young (KU 85438), snout-vent length 32.1 mm. x9.]
[Illustration: PLATE 2
A
B
Skull of adult female _Smilisca baudini_ (KU 68184): (A) Dorsal;
(B) Ventral. x4.5.]
[Illustration: PLATE 3
A
B
C
Skull of adult female _Smilisca baudini_ (KU 68184): (A) Lateral;
(B) Dorsal view of left mandible; (C) Posterior. x4.5.]
[Illustration: PLATE 4
A B
C D
E F
Palmar views of right hands of _Smilisca_: (A) _S. baudini_
(KU 87177); (B) _S. phaeota_ (KU 64276); (C) _S. cyanosticta_
(KU 87199); (D) _S. sordida_ (KU 91761); (E) _S. puma_ (KU 91716),
and (F) _S. sila_ (KU 77408). x3.]
[Illustration: PLATE 5
A B
C D
E F
Ventral aspect of right feet of _Smilisca_: (A) _S. baudini_
(KU 87177); (B) _S. phaeota_ (KU 64276); (C) _S. cyanosticta_
(KU 87199); (D) _S. sordida_ (KU 91761); (E) _S. puma_ (KU 91716),
and (F) _S. sila_ (KU 77408). x3.]
[Illustration: PLATE 6
A
B
C
Living _Smilisca_: (A) _S. baudini_ (UMMZ 115179) from 1.7 km. W
Xicotencatl, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (B) _S. cyanosticta_ (UMMZ 118163)
from Volcan San Martin, Veracruz, Mexico; (C) _S. phaeota_
(KU 64282) from Barranca del Rio Sarapiqui, Heredia Prov., Costa Rica.
All approx. nat. size.]
[Illustration: PLATE 7
A
B
C
Living _Smilisca_: (A) _S. puma_ (KU 65307) from 5.9 km. W. Puerto
Viejo, Heredia Prov., Costa Rica; (B) _S. sila_ (KU 77407) from
Finca Palosanto, 6 km. WNW El Volcan, Chiriqui, Panama;
(C) _S. sordida_ (KU 64257) from 20 km. WSW San Isidro el General,
San Jose Prov., Costa Rica. All approx. nat. size.]
[Illustration: PLATE 8
FIG. 1. Breeding site of _Smilisca baudini_, 4 km. WNW of Esparta,
Puntarenas Prov., Costa Rica.
FIG. 2. Breeding site of _Smilisca phaeota_, Puerto Viejo, Heredia
Prov., Costa Rica.]
[Illustration: PLATE 9
FIG. 1. Breeding site of _Smilisca puma_, 7.5 km. W of Puerto Viejo,
Heredia Prov., Costa Rica.
FIG. 2. Breeding site of _Smilisca sordida_, Rio La Vieja, 30 km.
E of Palmar Norte, Puntarenas Prov., Costa Rica.]
[Illustration: PLATE 10
Audiospectrographs and sections of breeding calls of _Smilisca_:
(A) _S. baudini_ (KU Tape No. 74); (B) _S. cyanosticta_ (KU Tape
No. 373); (C) _S. phaeota_ (KU Tape No. 79).]
[Illustration: PLATE 11
Audiospectrographs and sections of breeding calls of _Smilisca_:
(A) _S. puma_ (KU Tape No. 382); (B) _S. sila_ (KU Tape No. 385);
(C) _S. sordida_ (KU Tape No. 398).]
[Illustration: PLATE 12
Lateral views of the heads of _Smilisca_: (A) _S. baudini_
(KU 87177); (B) _S. sordida_ (KU 91765); (C) _S. phaeota_ (KU 64276);
(D) _S. puma_ (KU 91716); (E) _S. cyanosticta_ (KU 87199);
(F) _S. sila_ (KU 77408). x3.2.]
Aside from the skeleton referred to as _Smilisca daulinia_ by Cope
(1865:194), we have examined each of the types of the species
synonymized with _S. baudini_. All unquestionably are representatives of
_S. baudini_.
Taylor (1942:306) named _Hyla beltrani_ from Tapachula, Chiapas. This
specimen (UIMNH 25046) is a small female (snout-vent length, 44 mm.) of
_S. baudini_. Taylor (1954:630) named _Hyla manisorum_ from Batan,
Limon, Costa Rica. The type (KU 34927) is a large female (snout-vent
length, 75.3 mm.) _S. baudini_. In this specimen and a male from
Suretka, Costa Rica, the usual dorsal color pattern is absent, but the
distinctive curved supraorbital processes, together with other
structural features, show that the two specimens are _S. baudini_.
_Hyla baudini dolomedes_ Barbour (1923:11), as shown by Dunn
(1931a:413), was based on a specimen of _Smilisca phaeota_ from Rio
Esnape, Darien, Panama.
[Illustration: FIG. 1. Map showing locality records for _Smilisca
baudini_.]
_Distribution_.--_Smilisca baudini_ inhabits lowlands and foothills
usually covered by xerophytic vegetation or savannas, but in the
southern part of its range _baudini_ inhabits tropical evergreen forest.
The species ranges throughout the Pacific and Atlantic lowlands of
Mexico from southern Sonora and the Rio Grande embayment of Texas
southward to Costa Rica, where on the Pacific lowlands the range
terminates at the southern limits of the arid tropical forest in the
vicinity of Esparta; on the Caribbean lowlands the distribution seems
to be discontinuous southward to Suretka (Fig. 1). Most localities where
the species has been collected are at elevations of less than 1000
meters. Three localities are notably higher; calling males were found at
small temporary ponds in pine-oak forest at Linda Vista, 2 kilometers
northwest of Pueblo Nuevo Solistahuacan, Chiapas, elevation 1675 meters,
and 10 kilometers northwest of Comitan, Chiapas, at an elevation of 1925
meters. Tadpoles and metamorphosing young were obtained from a pond in
arid scrub forest, 17 kilometers northeast of Juchatengo, Oaxaca,
elevation 1600 meters. Stuart (1954:46) recorded the species at
elevations up to 1400 meters in the south-eastern highlands of
Guatemala.
_Specimens examined._--3006, as follows: UNITED STATES: TEXAS: Cameron
County, Brownsville, CNHM 5412-3, 6869, UMMZ 54036, USNM 3256.