Western chorus frog

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Western chorus frog
Pseudacris triseriata.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Genus: Pseudacris
Species:
P. triseriata
Binomial name
Pseudacris triseriata
Pseudacris triseriata map.svg
Range of P. triseriata
Synonyms

Hyla triseriata
Helocaetes triseriatus
Chorophilus triseriatus
Chorophilus nigritus triseriatus

The western chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata), also known as striped chorus frog, [2] or midland chorus frog [3] is a species of frog found in Canada and the United States.

Description

Western chorus frogs are small 40 mm (1.6 in), smooth skinned, and greenish-grey, reddish, olive, or brown in color. Differences in color can occur locally and should not be confused for range-specific populations. Typically, these frogs have three dark-brown or grey stripes which extend down the entire dorsal side. The dorsal stripes can be broken up, reduced, or even absent in certain specimens. The white or cream-colored underside or ventral side of the frog typically has dark, scattered flecks. A single white stripe runs along the upper lip, and a heavy dark stripe runs across the eye and along each side from the snout to the leg. A dark triangular spot on the head may also be seen in some individuals. These frogs have small, round toes without pads and very little webbing between each toe.

Typically, males are smaller than females, and can be told apart from the females by their yellow vocal sacs when calling. When not calling, this sac looks like a dark, loose flap of skin beneath the throat.

Tadpoles of the western chorus frog have gray or brown bodies. Their body shape is round with clear tail fins and dark flecks. The intestinal coil reportedly can be seen through the belly skin if closely observed. Their lips are black.

Taxonomy

P. triseriata was once considered a subspecies of the southern chorus frog, P. nigrita , but was reclassified as its own species with four subspecies: P. t. triseriata, [3] P. t. kalmi , P. t. maculata , [2] and P. t. feriarum . These have since been granted species status, meaning P. triseriata as described here has no subspecies. [4]

Distribution

This chorus frog has a huge distribution, from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, and New Jersey to central Arizona. The frogs lives from near sea level to about 12,000 ft (3,700 m) above sea level, and are capable of surviving temperatures as low as –8 °C. [5]

Habitat

Western chorus frogs live in a variety of different habitats, but areas of more permanent water increase the risk of predation on eggs and/or tadpoles. To compensate for this, chorus frogs stick to mostly ephemeral freshwater areas, such as marshes, river swamps, meadows, grassy pools, and other open areas found in mountains and prairies. The western chorus frog remains close to these ephemeral aquatic habitats, since they provide excellent mating, breeding, and hibernation grounds. Since these areas tend to dry out, these frogs can be, but are less commonly, found in fallowed agricultural fields, damp woodlands, roadside ditches, and wooded swamps.

Behavior

Both males and sometimes females call in large choruses. Males use a special call to attract several potential mates to breeding sites. The western chorus frog call can be heard from half a mile away. The call is a very distinct "cree-ee-ee—eeek", but can be confused with the upland chorus frog. Calling can occur for 0.5–2.0 seconds and can occur 18–20 times in a minute. The higher the temperature, the more frequent calls occur in a minute, (30–90 calls per minute). The western chorus frog relies heavily on secrecy to keep themselves safe from predators. Any disturbances to the frog's environment causes them to stop calling and dive into the depths of whatever water source they reside near, under leaf litter, logs, rocks, or loose soil, for minutes. These terrestrial hiding spots serve not only as hiding places, but also as hibernation places for the frogs during the winter.

Diet

The diet of an adult consists of small invertebrates and arthropods, such as small flies, mosquitoes, ants, small beetles, moths and caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spiders, only if they are small enough. Froglets (the transition or metamorphic phase between tadpole and frog) will feed on smaller prey, such as mites, midges, and springtails. Tadpoles feed on periphyton, filamentous algae, diatoms, and pollen in or on the surface of the water. They will scavenge if given the opportunity.

Reproduction

Breeding occurs at different times throughout the various states where this frog resides. Typically, western chorus frog's breeding season starts in March through May, with April being the most active month. However, breeding takes place earlier in southern parts and can vary through the frogs entire range. The earliest sign of western chorus frog breeding occurs with choruses heard on sunny days. Males call to potential females over the course of several days to months. As the season continues, these competing male choruses move to the evenings and cloudy, rainy days. The lifespan of these frogs averages five years. After mating has occurred, females can lay between 500 and 1500 eggs during the entire breeding season. The female lays one cluster at a time, which can contain 20–300 eggs. The eggs are retained in a loose, gelatinous cluster, submerged below the water and stuck to weeds or grasses found along the edges of shallow ponds, flooded swales, roadside ditches, flooded fields, open areas, and swamps. The eggs will hatch into tadpoles between three and 14 days after being laid. However, water temperature can be a limiting factor in the growth of both eggs and tadpoles. Colder water temperatures prevent the tadpoles and eggs from growing. Tadpoles metamorphose into froglets 40–90 days afterwards.

Conservation and ecology

Although quite adaptable and tolerant to human activity, western chorus frog populations are declining in certain areas. Labeled as in least concern on the IUCN list, the US Federal List has the species labeled as no special status. In Canada, the western chorus frog is listed as threatened in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence - Canadian Shield under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). [6] [7] The western chorus frog is currently the subject of a legal dispute over compensation between a landowner and the Government of Canada. [8]

The western chorus frog plays an important role as an indicator species. Deformities, reduction in reproductive success, or changes in morphology in either the larval or adult forms could indicate pollution or toxic substances in the environment, sometimes trematodes. Therefore, the health of these frogs are valuable in determining the health of ecosystems and whether agricultural practices have leaked any pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers into the environment.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tadpole</span> Larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian

A tadpole is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-like features that may not be found in adult amphibians such as a lateral line, gills and swimming tails. As they undergo metamorphosis, they start to develop functional lungs for breathing air, and the diet of tadpoles changes drastically.

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

The ornate chorus frog is a species of chorus frog endemic to the Southeastern United States. Their distribution ranges from North Carolina, east to the very eastern part of Louisiana, and south to northern parts of Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spring peeper</span> Species of amphibian

The spring peeper is a small chorus frog widespread throughout the eastern United States and Canada. They prefer permanent ponds due to their advantage in avoiding predation; however, they are very adaptable with respect to the habitat they can live in. In northern regions, the frog is able to endure below freezing temperatures due to the capacity of their livers to exude and flush the bloodstream with a glucose cryoprotectant which acts both as an anti-freeze in their blood, and allows organs like the heart to enter into a state of protected dormancy. They are so called because of their chirping call that marks the beginning of spring. Crucifer is derived from the Latin root meaning "cross-bearing". This could be a reference to the cross-like pattern on the spring peeper's dorsal side.

<i>Limnodynastes dumerilii</i> Species of amphibian

Limnodynastes dumerilii is a frog species from the family Limnodynastidae. The informal names for the species and its subspecies include eastern or southern banjo frog, and bull frog. The frog is also called the pobblebonk after its distinctive "bonk" call, which is likened to a banjo string being plucked. There are five subspecies of L. dumerilii, each with different skin coloration. The species is native to eastern Australia. There has been one occurrence in New Zealand, when tadpoles of the species were found in 1999 and destroyed.

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

The Pacific tree frog, also known as the Pacific chorus frog, has a range spanning the Pacific Northwest, from Northern California, Oregon, and Washington to British Columbia in Canada and extreme southern Alaska. They live from sea level to more than 10,000 feet in many types of habitats, reproducing in aquatic settings. They occur in shades of greens or browns and can change colors over periods of hours and weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common eastern froglet</span> Species of amphibian

The common eastern froglet is a very common, Australian ground-dwelling frog, of the family Myobatrachidae.

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

The striped marsh frog or brown-striped frog is a predominantly aquatic frog native to coastal Eastern Australia. It is a common species in urban habitats.

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

The Italian agile frog, also known as Lataste's frog, is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. The species is native to southern Europe, primarily found in the Po River Basin of Italy. It is one of the most endangered amphibian species in Europe, with its populations declining sharply in recent years, and has been the focus of multiple conservation plans.

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

The boreal chorus frog is a species of chorus frog native to Canada from central Quebec to eastern British Columbia and north to the Northwest Territories and the southern portion of the Yukon. It occurs in the USA throughout Montana, northwestern Wisconsin, northeastern Arizona, northern New Mexico, and southwestern Utah.

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

The upland chorus frog is a species of chorus frog found in the United States. It was recently separated from the Western chorus frog, being identified as an individual species rather than a subspecies. They are a rarely seen species, but their calls are frequently heard soon after rains in the spring time.

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

The little grass frog is a species of chorus frog endemic to the Southeastern United States. It is currently the smallest North American anuran and occurs in a wide variety of ephemeral and semi-permanent wetlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plains spadefoot toad</span> Species of amphibian

The plains spadefoot toad is a species of American spadefoot toad which ranges from southwestern Canada, throughout the Great Plains of the western United States, and into northern Mexico. Like other species of spadefoot toads, they get their name from a spade-like projection on their hind legs which allows them to dig into sandy soils. Their name, in part, comes from their keratinized metatarsals, which are wide instead of "sickle shaped". The species name translates as buzzing leaf shaped. This refers to the species' distinguishing features; its buzzing mating call, and its leaf-shaped digging metatarsals. It was first described by Cope in 1863.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern red-legged frog</span> Species of amphibian

The northern red-legged frog is a species of amphibian whose range is the coastal region stretching from southwest British Columbia to southern Mendocino County in Northern California, and is protected in Oregon and California. As a member of the genus Rana, this species is considered a true frog, with characteristic smooth skin and a narrow waist. This frog requires still waters for breeding, and is rarely found at any great distance from its breeding ponds or marshes.

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

The Oregon spotted frog is a member of the frog family Ranidae of order Anura. It is a medium-sized aquatic frog endemic to the Pacific Northwest and historically well distributed in the Puget Trough/Willamette Valley province and the Cascade Mountains of south-central Washington and Oregon. It is relatively rare within its range and is listed globally as vulnerable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosenberg's tree frog</span> Species of amphibian

Rosenberg's treefrog, also known as Rosenberg's gladiator frog or Rosenberg's gladiator treefrog, is a species of frog in the family of tree frogs (Hylidae) and genus of gladiator frogs (Boana) found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and north-western Ecuador. Its scientific name is a testimony to Mr. W. F. H. Rosenberg who collected the type series, and its common name refers to the aggressiveness of males of the species.

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

The desert rain frog, web-footed rain frog, or Boulenger's short-headed frog is a species of frog in the family Brevicipitidae. It is found in Namibia and South Africa. Its natural habitat is the narrow strip of sandy shores between the sea and the sand dunes. It is threatened by habitat loss by such factors as mining and tourism.

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

The quacking frog, also known as the red-thighed froglet due to its legs tending to be bright red, is a species of frog from the Myobatrachidae family and is in a clad with five other species. The frog is well known for the sound it produces which resembles a quack. It has up to 11 notes and can change the notes in their call. It has larger testes compared to other frogs within the genus and has started to be used in experiments. This frog is found in southwest Australia. It is found in ponds and pools and other moisture filled areas. These frogs engage in polyandry and can result in multiple paternity of its offspring. Additionally, the tadpoles of this species can change the rate they metamorphosize depending on the conditions. The males tend to have larger arm girth and can adopt different mating strategies depending on size. The mating strategy is dependent on male density. The frogs also vary in terms of colour and texture of its skin. The tadpoles are generally golden with transparent tails.

<i>Strongylopus fasciatus</i> Species of frog

Strongylopus fasciatus, also known as the striped stream frog, striped grass frog, striped rana, striped long-toed frog or long-toed grass frog is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to southern Africa.

Pseudacris kalmi, the New Jersey chorus frog, is a species of frog in the treefrog family Hylidae. It is found in the states near New Jersey in the United States. It was first described as subspecies of Pseudacris triseriata but it is differentiated by range and size. This frog's color ranges from grey to tan or greenish brown with a dark stripe on both sides of the body that extends from the snout, through their eyes, and to the groin. It breeds in early spring from February to April. It broods in shallow bodies of water, especially vernal pools, which dry up later in the season.

<i>Beddomixalus</i> Genus of amphibians

Beddomixalus is a monotypic genus of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. The only described species, Beddomixalus bijui, is endemic to the Western Ghats, India. Its name is derived from a combination of the cognomen of Richard Henry Beddome, in honour of his work on the amphibian diversity of the Western Ghats, as well as Ixalus, which is often used as a suffix for names of rhacophorid genera.

References

  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Pseudacris triseriata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T55899A193395385. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T55899A193395385.en . Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 Boreal Chorus Frog, Natural Resources Canada Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 Midland Chorus Frog, Natural Resources Canada Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Amphibian Species of the World 6.0". 2014-06-04.
  5. Adaptations of Frogs to Survive Freezing
  6. COSEWIC. 2008. "COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Western Chorus Frog Pseudacristriseriata Carolinian population and Great Lakes/St. Lawrence – Canadian Shield population in Canada" (PDF). Government of Canada: Environment Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Retrieved 6 September 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. Environment Canada, 2015. "Recovery Strategy for the Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata), Great Lakes / St. Lawrence – Canadian Shield population, in Canada, Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series" (PDF). Government of Canada Publications. Environment Canada, Ottawa. Retrieved 6 September 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. Forrest, Maura (September 5, 2019). "'This is Kafkaesque': Developer goes to court for compensation over project halted by Western chorus frog". National Post. Retrieved 6 September 2019.