Odontophrynus americanus

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Odontophrynus americanus
Odontophrynus americanus01a.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Odontophrynidae
Genus: Odontophrynus
Species:
O. americanus
Binomial name
Odontophrynus americanus
(Duméril and Bibron, 1841)
Synonyms
  • Pyxicephalus americanus Duméril and Bibron, 1841
  • Tomopterna americana Fitzinger, 1843
  • Ceratophrys americana Boulenger, 1882
  • Ceratophrys occidentalis Berg, 1896
  • Odontophrynus americanus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920
  • Odontophrynus occidentalis Müller, 1934
  • Odontophrynus barrioi Cei, Ruiz, and Beçak, 1982
  • Odontophrynus achalensis di Tada, Barla, Martori, and Cei, 1984

Odontophrynus americanus (common names: common lesser escuercito, American ground frog) is a species of frog in the family Odontophrynidae. It is found in central and northern Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and southern Paraguay. It is tetraploid; diploid populations have been described as a new species, Odontophrynus cordobae . [2] [3] [1]

Contents

Description

The adult male frog measures 42.2 mm in snout-vent length and the adult female frog 44.6 mm. The head is wider than it is long. It has claws on its forefeet and webbed skin on its hind feet. The skin of the dorsum is light brown with darker brown marks surrounded in black. Sometimes there is some red coloration. The belly is off-white with some brown mottling. The adult male frog has a dark gray throat. [3]

Habitat

Scientists observed this frog in grassy areas, Atlantic forest, Cerrado biomes, and Pampa biomes. It seems to tolerate human disturbance well and has been found near farms and towns. Scientists observed the frog between 0 and 2000 meters above sea level. [1]

Scientists have seen the frog in many protected parks, uncluding Parque Estadual do Turvo, Área de Proteção Ambiental Sapucai-Mirim, Área de Proteção Ambiental Campos do Jordão, and Floresta Estadual de Assis in Brazil. [1]

Reproduction

During the breeding season, these frogs are found at shallow, temporary ponds and flooded areas. This frog is an explosive breeder. Males can be heard calling at night from the edge of, or from within the water. The female frog deposits her eggs in the mud at the bottom of the pool. [1]

The tadpole has a globular body with eyes located dorsally. It has complex mouthparts, including papillae and a beak. The top and sides of the body are brown in color and its ventral area is translucent. The tadpoles are benthic and feed on algae and plant detritus. [3]

The tadpoles develop into frogs in 7-9 months. [3]

Threats

The IUCN classifies this species as least concern of extinction. The tadpoles are preyed upon my many animals, including invasive Rana catesbeiana . The animals hide by digging into the ground with their legs. Human beings also catch the frog to eat and to sell as part of the international pet trade. [3] [1]

Original description

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2023). "Common Lesser Escuerzo: Odontophrynus americanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2023 e.T20535728A20535772. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T20535728A20535772.en . Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  2. ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Odontophrynus americanus (Duméril and Bibron, 1841)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Wilson Xieu; Eric Truong; Rachel Alexis de Jesus Parungao; James Harrion III (December 6, 2016). Ann T. Chang; Michelle S. Koo (eds.). "Odontophrynus americanus (Duméril & Bibron, 1841)". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved October 4, 2025.


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