Leptodactylus labyrinthicus

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Leptodactylus labyrinthicus
Leptodactylus labyrinthicus.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Leptodactylidae
Genus: Leptodactylus
Species:
L. labyrinthicus
Binomial name
Leptodactylus labyrinthicus
(Spix, 1824)
Synonyms [2]
  • Rana labyrinthica Spix, 1824
  • Rana marginata Steindachner, 1867
  • Leptodactylus wuchereri Jiménez de la Espada, 1875
  • Leptodactylus bufo Andersson, 1911
  • Leptodactylus pentadactylus mattogrossensis Schmidt and Inger, 1951

Leptodactylus labyrinthicus is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. Its common names are labyrinth frog, pepper frog, South American pepper frog, and pepper foam frog. [1] [2] This frog is found in central and southeastern Brazil, northeast Argentina (Misiones and Corrientes Provinces), and eastern Paraguay. Earlier reports from Bolivia refer to Leptodactylus vastus , or possibly an unnamed species. [2]

Description

This species is a large frog, with the snout-vent length of males measuring 117–188 mm (4.6–7.4 in) and that of females 124–166 mm (4.9–6.5 in) in snout–vent length. The labyrinth-related names of this frog refer to the labyrinthine patterns it has on its belly, which is often light with dark vermiculations. [3]

Tadpoles are cryptic colored, with a dark gray back and tail. [4]

Ecology and behaviour

Leptodactylus labyrinthicus occurs in the Cerrado and Caatinga at elevations up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level. [1] It has been found mostly in open habitats, with the Amazon rainforest and Amazon River blocking its natural range, although small populations have been introduced in Amazonia. [5] It appears to be very tolerant to pollution. [5]

Due to this wide range of broad habitats, as of 2008, this frog is not considered threatened by the IUCN. [1]

This frog is a generalist and opportunistic predator. It has been known to eat invertebrates, amphibians, lizards, snakes, rodents and bats. [6] [7]

The eggs of L. labyrinthicus are laid in foam nests, often in burrows on dry land or in swampy soil near water. It is hypothesized that the male frog finds or possibly creates the burrow in a suitable location and uses it as shelter during the reproductive season. The male makes advertisement calls mostly at night, though it has been observed calling during the day as well. After mating, the female frog lays both fertilized eggs and trophic eggs at one time and then does not return to the nest. [4]

The tadpoles hatch and feed on the trophic eggs; they can remain in the nest for up to 25 days, growing in size. [4] At the start of the rainy season, the tadpoles move to lentic water, where they will complete their metamorphosis, feeding on anuran eggs, other tadpoles, and carrion. [1] [4] Other frog species do not lay their eggs until the first heavy rains; the head-start of the L. labyrinthicus tadpoles allows them to take advantage of the eggs and newly hatched tadpoles of other frog species. L. labyrinthicus tadpoles are mostly active at night, and hide from visual predators (including birds such as the creamy-bellied thrush) during the day by burrowing in gravel and leaves. [4]

Use by humans

This frog is used for human consumption. It is harvested in Venezuela, and attempts have been made to establish farms for commercial production in Brazil (although these failed for managerial reasons). [1] [5]

The antimicrobial peptide pentadactylin has been isolated from the skin secretions of L. labyrinthicus and studied as a potential agent for use in chemotherapy. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leptodactylidae</span> Family of amphibians

The southern frogs form the Leptodactylidae, a name that comes from Greek meaning a bird or other animal having slender toes. They are a diverse family of frogs that most likely diverged from other hyloids during the Cretaceous. The family has undergone major taxonomic revisions in recent years, including the reclassification of the former subfamily Eleutherodactylinae into its own family the Eleutherodactylidae; the Leptodactylidae now number 206 species in 13 genera distributed throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The family includes terrestrial, burrowing, aquatic, and arboreal members, inhabiting a wide range of habitats.

<i>Physalaemus</i> Genus of amphibians

Physalaemus is a large genus of leptodactylid frogs. These frogs, sometimes known as dwarf frogs or foam frogs, are found in South America. It is very similar to Leptodactylus, a close relative, and indeed the recently described Leptodactylus lauramiriamae is in some aspects intermediate between them.

<i>Leptodactylus</i> Genus of amphibians

Leptodactylus is a genus of leptodactylid frogs. It includes the species commonly called ditch frogs or white-lipped frogs. It is very similar to Physalaemus, a close relative, and indeed the 2005 described Leptodactylus lauramiriamae is in some aspects intermediate between them. The name means ‘slender finger’, from leptos and the Greek daktylos.

<i>Edalorhina perezi</i> Species of frog

Edalorhina perezi is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is one of the only two species in the genus Edalorhina in the family Leptodactylidae. This species is diurnal and terrestrial. During mating season both female and male frogs gather around treefall pools. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, and possibly Bolivia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and freshwater marshes. The species listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List and the population is stable.

<i>Leptodactylus macrosternum</i> Species of amphibian

Leptodactylus macrosternum is a species of frogs in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in northern Argentina and adjacent eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Uruguay, and southern and western Brazil. The specific name chaquensis refers to the area of Gran Chaco in Argentina. Common name Cei's white-lipped frog has been coined for it, although this particular species lacks the light upper lip stripe common in the genus.

<i>Leptodactylus notoaktites</i> Species of frog

Leptodactylus notoaktites is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is endemic to southeastern Brazil and is known from the states of Santa Catarina, Paraná, and São Paulo state. Common name Iporanga white-lipped frog has been coined for it.

<i>Leptodactylus latrans</i> Species of frog

Leptodactylus latrans is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is native to much of South America east of the Andes, and Trinidad and Tobago. It has many common names, including rana criolla, sapo-rana llanero, butter frog, and lesser foam frog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoky jungle frog</span> Species of amphibian

The smoky jungle frog is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, French Guiana, Perú and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, rivers, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and aquaculture ponds.

<i>Leptodactylus petersii</i> Species of frog

Leptodactylus petersii is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found widely in the Guianas and the Amazon Basin. It has been confused with Leptodactylus podicipinus and Leptodactylus wagneri, complicating the interpretation of older records and accounts.

<i>Leptodactylus podicipinus</i> Species of amphibian

Leptodactylus podicipinus, sometimes known as the pointedbelly frog, is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Brazil.

<i>Leptodactylus spixi</i> Species of frog

Leptodactylus spixi is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is endemic to eastern Brazil and occurs in the Atlantic forests of the Bahia, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro states. The specific name spixi honors Johann Baptist von Spix, a German naturalist who worked in Brazil. Prior to its description, this species had been referred to as Leptodactylus mystaceus(Spix, 1824). Common name Spix's white-lipped frog has been coined for this species.

<i>Leptodactylus syphax</i> Species of frog

Leptodactylus syphax is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in extreme eastern Bolivia, central to northeastern Brazil, and Paraguay. Common names basin white-lipped frog and whistling foam frog have been coined for it.

<i>Leptodactylus troglodytes</i> Species of amphibian

Leptodactylus troglodytes is a species of frogs in the family Leptodactylidae. It is endemic to northeastern Brazil and occurs from northern Minas Gerais and Bahia to Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte. The specific name, troglodytes, refers to its habit of breeding in underground chambers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windward ditch frog</span> Species of amphibian

The Windward ditch frog or smooth-skinned ditch frog is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in the Lesser Antilles, the Guianas, and in the northernmost Brazil (Roraima) and in Venezuela. The Lesser Antillean part of the range might be due to human introduction. In 2018, the species was recorded from Colombia for the first time.

Leptodactylus wagneri is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in northern South America.

<i>Lithodytes</i> Genus of amphibians

Lithodytes is a genus of frogs in the family of Leptodactylidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species, Lithodytes lineatus, also commonly known as the gold-striped frog or painted antnest frog. It is found in tropical South America where it lives in humid forests among the leaf litter. These frogs build foam nests at the edge of temporary pools, and the tadpoles develop within these. The frogs also associate with certain leafcutter ants and breed inside their nests without being attacked by the ants.

<i>Physalaemus ephippifer</i> Species of frog

Physalaemus ephippifer is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in central and eastern Brazilian Amazonia, the Guianas, and southern Venezuela. It might not occur in French Guiana.

<i>Leptodactylus discodactylus</i> Species of frog

Leptodactylus discodactylus is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in the Amazonian Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.

Dactylosoma is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa.

<i>Leptodactylus fallax</i> Species of amphibian

Leptodactylus fallax, commonly known as the mountain chicken or giant ditch frog, is a critically endangered species of frog that is native to the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Montserrat. The population declined by at least 80% from 1995 to 2004, with further significant declines later. A tiny wild population remains on Dominica where there are efforts to preserve it, but few or none survive in the wild on Montserrat and its survival now relies on a captive breeding project involving several zoos. The initial decline was linked to hunting for human consumption, along with habitat loss and natural disasters, but the most serious threat now appears to be the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, which was the primary cause of the most recent rapid decline. On Montserrat it is known as the mountain chicken, while on Dominica it is known as the crapaud, which is simply the French word for "toad".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Heyer, R.; Mijares, A.; Baldo, D. (2008). "Leptodactylus labyrinthicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2008: e.T57137A11589949. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T57137A11589949.en . Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  3. ↑ Heyer, W. Ronald (30 November 2005). "Variation and taxonomic clarification of the large species of the Leptodactylus pentadactylus species group (Amphibia: Leptodactylidae) from Middle America, Northern South America, and Amazonia" (PDF). Arquivos de Zoologia. 37 (3): 269–348. doi: 10.11606/issn.2176-7793.v37i3p269-348 . ISSN   0066-7870 . Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Silva, WR.; Giaretta, AA. (May 2008). "Further notes on the natural history of the South American pepper frog, Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura, Leptodactylidae)". Brazilian Journal of Biology. 68 (2): 403–407. doi: 10.1590/S1519-69842008000200024 . PMID   18660971.
  5. 1 2 3 de Carvalho, Vinícius T.; de Fraga, Rafael; da Silva, André Luiz F.; Vogt, Richard C. (September 2013). Bernardo, Pedro (ed.). "Introduction of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in central Amazonia, Brazil". Check List. 9 (4): 849–850. ISSN   1809-127X . Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  6. ↑ Fonseca, Emanuel; Lanna, Flávia; Carvalho, Rose; Gehara, Marcelo (24 May 2012). "Predation on Sibynomorphus neuwiedi (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) by Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in southeastern Brazil" (PDF). Herpetology Notes. 5. Societas Europaea Herpetologica: 167–168. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  7. ↑ Mikula P (2015). "Fish and amphibians as bat predators". European Journal of Ecology . 1 (1): 71–80. doi: 10.1515/eje-2015-0010 .
  8. ↑ Libério, Michelle S.; Joanitti, Graziella A.; Azevedo, Ricardo B.; Cilli, Eduardo M.; Zanotta, Lanuse C.; Nascimento, Anna C.; Sousa, Marcelo V.; Pires Júnior, Osmindo R.; Fontes, Wagner; Castro, Mariana S. (11 December 2009). "Anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activity of pentadactylin isolated from Leptodactylus labyrinthicus on melanoma cells". Amino Acids. 40 (1): 51–59. doi:10.1007/s00726-009-0384-y. PMID   20012549. S2CID   22855511.
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