are suitable for measuring. These specimens are smaller than adults from
the coastal areas and have broader heads and snouts, but narrower
interorbital distances, than specimens in the other samples (Table 4).
The texture of the skin is like that of specimens from Ostula and
Colima. The coloration resembles that of _D. reticulata_, but the
reticulations are bold and form indistinct bands on the hind limbs.
TABLE 4.--COMPARISON OF FOUR CHARACTERS IN FIVE SAMPLES OF DIAGLENA.
(ALL DATA ARE FOR MALES; MEANS GIVEN IN PARENTHESES BELOW RANGES.)
+-----------------+---------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+
| | | | Head | Inter- |Internarial|
| | | | width | orbital | distance |
| | Number |Snout-vent| |distance | |
| Locality | of | length |----------+---------+-----------+
| |specimens| |Snout-vent| Head | Head |
| | | | length | width | width |
+-----------------+---------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+
| Oaxaca | 9 |71.1-87.5 |25.4-29.1 |63.0-71.4| 11.9-13.8 |
| | | (80.7) | (27.9) | (67.1) | (12.9) |
+-----------------+---------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+
| Coast of | 5 |72.0-79.2 |24.3-27.2 |67.0-73.8| 13.7-14.4 |
| Michoacan | | (74.8) | (25.6) | (71.4) | (14.1) |
+-----------------+---------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+
| Colima | 4 |71.7-79.6 |26.1-28.6 |70.5-75.3| 16.0-17.9 |
| | | (74.8) | (27.4) | (72.0) | (16.6) |
+-----------------+---------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+
| Tepalcatepec | 2 |63.0-65.4 |28.3-32.2 |57.3-62.4| 17.0-20.2 |
| Valley | | (64.2) | (30.3) | (59.9) | (18.6) |
+-----------------+---------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+
| Sinaloa | 11 |71.9-81.3 |24.0-27.3 |70.5-78.1| 15.0-17.3 |
| | | (77.3) | (25.7) | (73.4) | (16.1) |
+-----------------+---------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+
All specimens from Michoacan and Colima more closely approach _Diaglena
reticulata_ than _D. spatulata_. The acquisition of additional
specimens, especially from the area between Sinaloa and Colima and from
Guerrero, is necessary to determine the relationships among the various
populations known at present. Both species of _Diaglena_ inhabit
tropical scrub forest; none has been found in the more humid and
tropical semi-deciduous forests. Humid forest replaces the scrub forest
in the lowlands of southern Nayarit and northern Jalisco; possibly this
forest acts as a barrier to the distribution of _Diaglena_ and thus
serves as a divider between the ranges of _D. spatulata_ to the north
and _D. reticulata_ to the south.
~Pternohyla fodiens~ Boulenger
_Pternohyla fodiens_ Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser.
5, 10:326, 1882.--Presidio, Sinaloa, Mexico.
Nueva Italia (2).
These specimens (JRD 5994-5) were found on the road near Nueva Italia
during a heavy rain on the night of August 25, 1960, by James R. Dixon.
Both are females having snout-vent lengths of 64.0 and 59.0 mm. They are
typical of the species as it is known from Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco,
and Colima.
These specimens constitute the southernmost record for the species,
which ranges in semi-arid habitats from southern Arizona southward along
the Pacific lowlands of Mexico to Colima and inland on the Mexican
Plateau in Jalisco.
~Phyllomedusa dacnicolor~ Cope
_Phyllomedusa dacnicolor_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Philadelphia, 16:181, September 30, 1864.--Colima, Colima,
Mexico. Funkhouser, Occ. Pap. Nat. Hist. Mus. Stanford
Univ., 5:37, April 1, 1957.
_Agalychnis alcorni_ Taylor, Copeia, no. 2:31, June 2,
1952.--Rio Tepalcatepec, 17 miles south of Apatzingan,
Michoacan, Mexico.
_Agalychnis dacnicolor_, Duellman, Herpetologica, 13:29,
March 30, 1957.
_Phyllomedusa alcorni_, Funkhouser, Occ. Pap. Nat. Hist.
Mus. Stanford Univ., 5:30, April 1, 1957.
Aguililla (13); Apatzingan (7); Charapendo; Coahuayana (3);
Coalcoman (54); El Sabino; Huetamo Road (2); La Orilla; La
Placita; Nueva Italia (4); 32 km. E of Neuva Italia (2); Rio
Cancita, 14 km. E of Apatzingan; Rio Tepalcatepec, 27 km. S
of Apatzingan; Salitre de Estopilas (2); Tzitzio (4).
This large tree frog has been found only in the lowlands below elevation
of about 1000 meters, usually in arid tropical scrub forest. Calling
males were heard on rainy nights throughout the rainy season; in nearly
every instance both males and females were found in low trees and
bushes. On summer nights when there had been no rain, adults were found
sitting on bushes in the scrub forest.
At Coalcoman on July 1, 1955, a chorus was heard at midday. About forty
_Phyllomedusa dacnicolor_ were found in one guayava bush at the edge of
a recently dried pond. Individual males were calling; clasping males
were silent. The call is a barking groan. Fifteen individual egg masses
were hanging from branches and leaves in tear-drop fashion. Each egg
mass contained 100 to 350 pale green eggs, located only in the exterior
part of the clear gelatinous mass. Two composite egg masses appeared to
have been made up by egg deposition on the part of three to five females
(Pl. 2, Fig. 2).
As shown by Duellman (1957a), the characters used by Taylor (1952) to
diagnose _Phyllomedusa alcorni_ are sexually dimorphic. Funkhouser
(1957) apparently was unaware of this sexual dimorphism, for she
recognized _P. alcorni_ and _P. dacnicolor_ as distinct species.
~Phrynohyas inflata~ (Taylor)
_Acrodytes inflata_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 30:64,
June 12, 1944.--La Venta, Guerrero, Mexico.
_Phrynohyas inflata_, Duellman, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ.
Michigan, 96:19, February 1, 1956.
_Phrynohyas corasterias_ Shannon and Humphrey,
Herpetologica, 13:15, March 30, 1957.--4.8 miles east of San
Blas, Nayarit, Mexico.
Barranca de Bejuco.
One specimen of this large species was collected in 1951; it was found
on a low branch in tropical semi-deciduous forest at an elevation of 65
meters. In life there were olive-gray blotches on a pale gray dorsum;
the iris was a dark golden color.
This species, which is known from only a few specimens, seems to be
restricted to the coastal lowlands and low foothills from Guerrero
northward to Nayarit. Shannon and Humphrey (1957) described _Phrynohyas
corasterias_ from Nayarit. Their description was based on a small female
having a snout-vent length of 34.4 mm. The new species was diagnosed as
differing from _P. inflata_ in having less webbing on the feet, a poorly
developed supratympanic fold, a more pustulate dorsum, and marked
differences in dorsal pattern, color, and nature of antebrachial
banding. The significance of the webbing was questioned by Shannon and
Humphrey. The nature of the supratympanic fold and dorsal pustules
changes with age (Duellman, 1956a:31). _Phrynohyas inflata_ is known to
attain a snout-vent length of 95 mm. Dermal structures that undergo
ontogenetic change are of little importance in comparing a juvenile with
a large adult. The only significant difference in color pattern between
_P. inflata_ and _P. corasterias_ is the presence of wide transverse
bands on the limbs of the latter. In this respect _P. corasterias_
approaches _P. latifasciata_, a species known only from two specimens
from southern Sinaloa. The acquisition of additional specimens from
Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa may show that _P. inflata_ and _P.
latifasciata_ are conspecific, as suggested by Duellman (1956a:21).
Nonetheless, the specimen on which the description of _P. corasterias_
was based is not sufficiently different from the known specimens of _P.
inflata_ to warrant specific recognition.
~Hyla arenicolor~
_Hyla arenicolor_ Cope, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia,
ser. 2, 6:84, July, 1866.--Northern Sonora, Mexico. Type
locality restricted to Santa Rita Mountains, Pima County,
Arizona, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:354).
Agua Cerca; Cascada Tzararacua (3); Chinapa; Cojumatlan; Dos
Aguas; El Sabino (25); El Espinal; Lago de Camecuaro;
Lombardia (2); Tupataro; Zinapecuaro.
Altitudinally this frog ranges from 500 to 2100 meters; although the
environments in which it has been found vary from open arid tropical
scrub forest to pine forest, it usually is found near rocky streams in
these habitats. There is great disparity in size between specimens from
the mountains and those from the Tepalcatepec Valley. Seven males from
elevations in excess of 1400 meters have an average snout-vent length of
34.7 mm.; nine from elevations below 1000 meters have an average
snout-vent length of 49.1 mm. In life a male collected at night at
Lombardia (UMMZ 112846) had dark brown spots on a grayish brown dorsum;
the groin, anterior and posterior surfaces of the thighs, and ventral
surfaces of the hind limbs and palms were yellowish orange. The belly
and tips of digits were white; the vocal sac was purplish brown, and the
iris was dark grayish gold. In contrast, a specimen obtained in the
daytime at Chinapa (UMMZ 119204) had indistinct gray spots on a pale
ashy gray dorsum; the flash colors were yellow. After dark the spots
were dark olive-brown on a grayish brown dorsum.
Two males were found calling from a rocky stream near Lombardia on July
12, 1955. The call is a nasal "ah-ah-ah-ah."
~Hyla baudini~ Dumeril and Bibron
_Hyla baudinii_ Dumeril and Bibron, Erpetologie generale,
vol. 8:564, 1841.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to
Cordoba, Veracruz, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:346).
Aguililla (5); Apatzingan (30); Arteaga; Buena Vista;
Charapendo; Coahuayana; Cofradia (4); El Sabino (12); La
Placita; La Playa; Maruata; Nueva Italia (3); 32 km. E of
Nueva Italia (2); Ostula (4); Rio Tepalcatepec, 25 km. S of
Apatzingan (3); Salitre de Estopilas; San Jose de la Montana
(2); Tumbiscatio; Tzitzio.
This tree frog is widespread in the coastal lowlands and in the
Tepalcatepec Valley up to elevations of about 1200 meters. It is found
in numbers in the early part of the rainy season, at which time males
were heard calling from bushes and trees along ditches and temporary
ponds. The call is a loud nasal "waank-waank-waank." One individual that
was emitting a long and unusually high-pitched call was found to have
one hind limb engulfed by a _Leptodeira maculata_.
When active at night these frogs usually are pale tan to reddish brown
above with dark brown markings. A specimen found sitting on a maguey
plant in the daytime was pale ashy gray with a pale green upper lip.
~Hyla bistincta~ Cope
_Hyla bistincta_ Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 17:87,
1877.--Veracruz, Mexico. Type locality restricted to
Acultzingo, Veracruz, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor
(1950a:346).
Cerro San Andres; Dos Aguas (2); Los Conejos (3); Uruapan
(50).
In the Parque Nacional at Uruapan this species was found in abundance
during the day. The frogs hide in an entanglement of vines and
vegetation overhanging several small spring-fed streams. Tadpoles were
in the rocky streams, and metamorphosing young were on vegetation at the
edges of the streams.
In life the dorsum is greenish tan with brown mottling; in some
individuals the entire dorsum is dark chocolate brown. The flanks are
pale lemon yellow barred with lavender-brown. Notes on the color of a
living frog from Dos Aguas (UMMZ 119193) are: Dorsal ground color a
medium shade of brown with dark brown flecks; flanks black with silvery
white and pale yellow spots; belly pale yellowish white; throat mottled
with grayish brown; iris pale copper color.
[Illustration: FIG. 8. Tadpole of _Hyla bistincta_ (UMMZ 115231) from
Uruapan, Michoacan. x 2.]
Description of Tadpole: Body somewhat depressed; maximum width of body
slightly more than one-half of body length. Nostrils placed
dorsolaterally and directed anteriorly, situated about midway between
tip of snout and eye. Eyes of moderate size, dorsolateral in position
and directed upwards. Tail about twice as long as body, thrice as long
as deep, and tapering gradually to a rounded tip. Tail-musculature not
extending to tip of tail fin. Spiracle sinistral, lateral, and situated
at midbody. Vent dextral; the cloacal tube extending along ventral part
of tail for a distance equal to about one-eighth of body length (Fig.
8). Average body length of six tadpoles with small hind limb buds, 19.5
mm.; tail length, 38.3 mm. Mouth ventral, its width equal to about
two-thirds of greatest width of body. Lips bordered by two rows of small
papillae; row of larger papillae between upper lip and outer upper
tooth-row, similar row between lower lip and outer lower tooth-row;
laterally these rows degenerating into numerous small papillae. Horny
beaks well developed; upper beak moderately arched and deeply indented;
lower beak slightly indented. Serrations of beaks blunt and peglike,
moderately developed on both beaks, but slightly stronger on lower one.
Tooth-rows 2/3; upper rows nearly equal in length and slightly longer
than lower rows, which are subequal in length; inner upper tooth row
interrupted medially by rounded notch; inner lower tooth-row turned
downward laterally; teeth in all rows about equal in size, but
decreasing in length laterally (Fig. 9).
[Illustration: FIG. 9. Mouthparts of larval _Hyla bistincta_ (UMMZ
115231) from Uruapan, Michoacan. x 15.]
Color in formalin: pale grayish brown dorsally and laterally; pale gray
ventrally; tail-musculature brown; tail-fin translucent with scattered
melanophores most numerous on upper fin.
In most details these tadpoles resemble those of _Hyla robertsorum_
described by Rabb and Mosimann (1955).
Four metamorphosing young have snout-vent lengths of 23.0-23.5 (23.2);
a completely metamorphosed individual has a snout-vent length of 24.8
mm.
In Michoacan this stream-breeding hylid occurs at elevations of 1,600 to
2,400 meters in the Sierra de Coalcoman and in the mountains rising from
the Mexican Plateau.
~Hyla eximia~ Baird
_Hyla eximia_ Baird, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia,
7:61, October 20, 1854.--Valley of Mexico. Type locality
restricted to Coyoacan, Distrito Federal, Mexico, by Smith
and Taylor (1950a:329).
_Hyla microeximia_ Maslin, Herpetologica, 13:81, July 10,
1957.--3 miles northwest of Jocotepec, Jalisco, Mexico.
Ciudad Hidalgo (36); Cuitzeo; 29 km. NW of Jacona; Jiquilpan
(2); Lago de Camecuaro (2); Lago de Patzcuaro (129); Los
Reyes; Morelia; Sahuayo (3); San Gregorio (63);
Tangamandapio (4); Temazcal (26); Tupataro; Tuxpan (15);
Undameo (2); Uruapan (20); Zacapu; Zamora (27); Zinapecuaro
(10).
More than 80 per cent of the specimens from Michoacan have brown spots
between the lateral and dorsolateral dark stripes, and more than 50 per
cent have spots between the dorsolateral stripes, at least posteriorly.
In comparison with specimens from the Valley of Mexico, those from
Michoacan have more distinct dorsolateral stripes that extend farther
anteriorly, sometimes to the eyelid, and in this respect are more nearly
like those from Jalisco and Nayarit (Taylor, 1939b:425). Some specimens
from the western part of Michoacan possess certain characters used by
Maslin (1957:81) to distinguish _Hyla microeximia_ from _H. eximia_;
nevertheless, the variation is such that two species cannot be
distinguished in Michoacan. Four series of freshly preserved specimens
have been studied in detail; in the discussion below they are arranged
from west to east; the measurement is for snout-vent length of ten males
from each sample:
_Zamora._--Twenty-two specimens (UMMZ 102083), 24.0-27.6
(26.1) mm. Dorsolateral dark stripe, or row of dashes,
present in all specimens; dark spots in lateral and dorsal
green fields; lateral dark stripe confluent with
dorsolateral stripe posteriorly in 18 specimens; white line
not extending to groin.
_Temazcal._--Thirty-five specimens (UMMZ 119162), 26.5-31.1
(28.2) mm. Dorsolateral dark stripe of row of spots present
only posteriorly in most; both dorsolateral stripes and
dorsal spots lacking in four specimens; heavy spotting
dorsally in three others; lateral and dorsolateral dark
stripes confluent posteriorly in three; lateral white stripe
extending to groin in 16 specimens.
_Ciudad Hidalgo._--Thirty-six specimens (UMMZ 119163),
26.4-30.9 (28.2) mm. Dorsolateral dark stripe or row of
spots present only posteriorly in most; no brown spots in
the green fields of many specimens; large brown inguinal
spot in most specimens; heavy spotting dorsally in four;
lateral and dorsolateral dark stripes confluent posteriorly
in five; lateral white line extending to groin in most
specimens.
_Tuxpan._--Fifteen specimens (UMMZ 115227), 28.7-33.0 (30.5)
mm. Dorsolateral dark stripe or row of dashes in all
specimens; dark spots in lateral green fields, at least
posteriorly in most; dark spots posteriorly in the dorsal
green field in five; lateral dark stripe separated from
dorsolateral stripe in all specimens; lateral white line
extends to the groin in all specimens.
As can be seen from the above descriptions, the distinguishing
characters of _Hyla microeximia_--confluence of lateral and dorsolateral
dark stripes posteriorly, extent of lateral white stripe, and
distribution of dark spots dorsally--are found in individuals from all
of the populations sampled. In the samples from western Michoacan there
is a higher incidence of _microeximia_-like frogs than in those from
other parts of the state. _Hyla eximia_ is a wide-ranging species
varying greatly geographically and individually. A thorough review of
the species and related members of the _Hyla eximia_-group is necessary
before certain populations can justifiably be segregated as subspecies
or species.
In Michoacan _Hyla eximia_ has been collected in mesquite-grassland,
pine-oak forest, and cultivated areas on the Mexican Plateau from 1500
to 2300 meters; apparently it is absent from the Sierra de Coalcoman.
This is the most abundant frog on the southern part of the Mexican
Plateau; in the rainy season breeding choruses are found in temporary
pools and in the marshes adjacent to the permanent lakes.
~Hyla lafrentzi~ Mertens and Wolterstorff
_Hyla lafrentzi_ Mertens and Wolterstorff, Zool. Anz.,
84:235, August 25, 1929.--Desierto de los Leones, Distrito
Federal, Mexico.
Cerro San Andres (26); Opopeo (9).
In March, 1949, James A. Peters collected this species at elevations of
2400 to 2800 meters on the west slope of Cerro San Andres. The frogs
were found beneath logs and rocks in a damp canyon in coniferous forest.
Among the juveniles in this series is a completely transformed
individual (UMMZ 102093) having a snout-vent length of 14.5 mm. Five
adults have snout-vent lengths of 36.2-39.5 (38.0) mm. _Hyla lafrentzi_
has noticeably longer hind limbs than _H. eximia_; in the former, when
the hind limb is brought forward along the body, the tibiotarsal
articulation extends to the snout. There are dark transverse bands on
the hind limbs; the dorsolateral stripe is broken into an anterior and a
posterior segment, and the latter is narrowly bordered by white in most
specimens.
_Hyla lafrentzi_ occurs at higher elevations than any other frog in
Michoacan; the locality records from throughout the range indicate that
it is restricted to pine and pine-fir forests. In these habitats it
replaces _Hyla eximia_, which inhabits the lower pine-oak forests and
mesquite-grassland on the Mexican Plateau. Ponds are absent at places
where _Hyla lafrentzi_ has been collected; possibly the eggs are laid in
streams.
~Hyla smaragdina~ Taylor
_Hyla smaragdina_ Taylor, Copeia, No. 1:18, March 30,
1940.--6 kilometers east of Cojumatlan, Michoacan, Mexico.
_Hylella azteca_ Taylor, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 56:49,
June 16, 1943.--Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico.
Cojumatlan (30); Copuyo (7); 18 km. E of Dos Aguas (22);
Ostula (8); Pomaro (3); Sahuayo; Salitre de Estopilas (7).
Taylor (1940a:18) diagnosed this species as having few or no vomerine
teeth, no vocal sac, a rather broad and flat head, two large tubercles
below the anus, a granular venter, and a green dorsum in life. The
specimens on which the description was based are either immature or
non-breeding individuals; all were collected from bromeliads growing on
cacti near Cojumatlan. Another small, flat-headed hylid from Tepoztlan,
Morelos, was described and diagnosed by Taylor (1943b:49) as differing
from _Hyla smaragdina_ in having a vocal sac and a broader head. This
specimen was named _Hylella azteca_. Specimens from the coastal region
of Michoacan and Colima were referred to _Hylella azteca_ by Peters
(1954:7) and Duellman (1958c:8).
Comparison of topotypic _Hyla smaragdina_ and the holotype of _Hylella
azteca_ (UIMNH 25044) with the several series of specimens from
Michoacan has resulted in the conclusion that all pertain to only one
species. Although the type series of _Hyla smaragdina_ consists of
immature specimens, the males in that series do possess vocal sacs.
Since these were not breeding individuals, the sacs are not well
developed. The characters of the anal tubercles and the relative width
of the head are of no value in separating the two species. The
apparently aestivating individuals comprising the type series of _Hyla
smaragdina_, and the type of _Hylella azteca_, which also was found in a
bromeliad, were green in life. Of the calling males found on the coast
of Michoacan, most were yellowish tan when found; two were pale green,
but soon changed to pale tan. Calling males from Copuyo and Dos Aguas
were pale yellowish tan. Therefore the color of the dorsum is of little
significance in distinguishing the two named populations.
Males of _Hyla smaragdina_ have been found calling in the months of June
and July from rocky streams; the call is a nasal "haah-haah-haah,"
repeated quickly and constantly for as long as 30 seconds. As pointed
out by Duellman (1958c:9), this breeding behavior is unlike that
suggested by Taylor (1943b:51). In Michoacan _Hyla smaragdina_ has been
found in tropical semi-deciduous forest, oak forest, and
mesquite-grassland at elevations from 150 to 1500 meters.
~Hyla smithi~ Boulenger
_Hyla smithi_ Boulenger, Zool. Rec. Reptilia and Batrachia,
38:33, 1902.--Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
Aguililla (14); Apatzingan (104); Arteaga; Charapendo (5);
Coalcoman (11); El Sabino (44); La Playa (6); Lombardia (2);
Nueva Italia (8); Playa Azul; Salitre de Estopilas (2).
This small hylid is abundant in the Tepalcatepec Valley to elevations of
about 1000 meters; it was found infrequently on the coastal lowlands.
Males call from bushes in and around flooded fields and ditches, from
grasses and small herbs in the water and from vegetation overhanging
small streams. The call consists of a series of short, high notes,
somewhat reminiscent of a katydid's song. In the dry season occasional
males were heard calling from irrigated fields near Apatzingan. In the
daytime individuals were found in the axils of leaves of the
elephant-ear plants (_Xanthosoma_).
In living individuals the dorsal color usually is uniform pale yellow;
often the lateral white stripe is barely visible. The vocal sac is
bright yellow, and the iris is pale gold. In some individuals there are
scattered dark brown spots or flecks on the back and upper surfaces of
limbs. Twenty males from Apatzingan have the following measurements:
snout-vent length, 22.8-26.0 (25.0) mm., tibia length, 10.7-13.6 (12.6)
mm.; head width, 7.2-8.0 (7.6) mm., head length, 7.1-8.1 (7.7) mm.
~Hypopachus caprimimus~ Taylor
_Hypopachus caprimimus_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull.,
26:526, November 27, 1940.--Agua del Obispo, Guerrero,
Mexico.
Buena Vista; Copuyo (6); Charapendo (3); Cofradia;
Jaramillo; Jungapeo; San Salvador; Tuxpan.