Lepidobatrachus laevis: Difference between revisions
Chotiwala75 (talk | contribs) m →Description: Grammar |
SmolKraken (talk | contribs) Changed the end of diet and behavior to clarify cannibalism and larvae vs. adult diet - I was unable to find any research showing that adult frogs are cannibalistic, but juvenile cannibalism is frequently reported. In the process I discovered a few neat studies about how the carnivorous diet of the tadpoles affects their digestive tract development and added that information & citation. |
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==Diet and behavior== |
==Diet and behavior== |
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[[File:Lepidobatrachus laevis at Kyoto Aquarium.jpg|thumb|''Lepidobatrachus laevis'' photographed at Kyoto Aquarium]] |
[[File:Lepidobatrachus laevis at Kyoto Aquarium.jpg|thumb|''Lepidobatrachus laevis'' photographed at Kyoto Aquarium]] |
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The wide-mouth frog is well adapted to its environment, notably the harsh [[winter]]. During [[Aestivation|this time]] it will remain inactive underground in a [[cocoon (biology)|cocoon]] of shed dead [[skin]] which protects it from losing water until they emerge. This species is generally very aggressive and will puff up when threatened to appear larger. If this behavior does not deter the intruder they will make a shrill screech, bite, and corner the target.<ref name = Vellard>Vellard, J. (1948). ''Batracios del chaco argentino.'' Acta Zoologica Lilloana, 5, 137-174.</ref> They are [[nocturnal]] and hunt at night, submerged up to their [[nostril]]s waiting for prey to pass by. They then lunge and swallow the prey whole. They feed on other frogs, [[insect]]s, and [[snail]]s. They have a |
The wide-mouth frog is well adapted to its environment, notably the harsh [[winter]]. During [[Aestivation|this time]] it will remain inactive underground in a [[cocoon (biology)|cocoon]] of shed dead [[skin]] which protects it from losing water until they emerge. This species is generally very aggressive and will puff up when threatened to appear larger. If this behavior does not deter the intruder they will make a shrill screech, bite, and corner the target.<ref name = Vellard>Vellard, J. (1948). ''Batracios del chaco argentino.'' Acta Zoologica Lilloana, 5, 137-174.</ref> They are [[nocturnal]] and hunt at night, submerged up to their [[nostril]]s waiting for prey to pass by. They then lunge and swallow the prey whole. They feed on other frogs, [[insect]]s, and [[snail]]s. The tadpoles of this species are obligate carnivores that swallow their prey whole, and are known to be cannibalistic.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ruibal |first=Rodolfo |last2=Thomas |first2=Eric |date=1988 |title=The Obligate Carnivorous Larvae of the Frog, Lepidobatrachus laevis (Leptodactylidae) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1445377 |journal=Copeia |volume=1988 |issue=3 |pages=591–604 |doi=10.2307/1445377 |issn=0045-8511}}</ref> They have a different gut morphology than non-carnivorous tadpoles.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bloom |first=Stephanie |last2=Ledon-Rettig |first2=Cris |last3=Infante |first3=Carlos |last4=Everly |first4=Anne |last5=Hanken |first5=James |last6=Nascone-Yoder |first6=Nanette |date=2013-05 |title=Developmental origins of a novel gut morphology in frogs: Developmental basis of novel morphology |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ede.12035 |journal=Evolution & Development |language=en |volume=15 |issue=3 |pages=213–223 |doi=10.1111/ede.12035 |pmc=PMC3870478 |pmid=23607305}}</ref> |
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==Reproduction== |
==Reproduction== |
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Revision as of 03:47, 18 November 2023
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2020) |
| Lepidobatrachus laevis | |
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| Lepidobatrachus laevis in shallow water | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ceratophryidae |
| Genus: | Lepidobatrachus |
| Species: | L. laevis
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| Binomial name | |
| Lepidobatrachus laevis Budgett, 1899
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Lepidobatrachus laevis, widely known as Budgett's frog, is a species of frog in the family Ceratophryidae, discovered by John Samuel Budgett.[2] It is often kept as a pet. It has acquired a number of popular nicknames, including hippo frog,[3] Freddy Krueger frog,[3] and escuerzo de agua.[4]
Description
This frog has become popular in pet stores due to its comical flat appearance and intelligent behavior.[citation needed] Females reach a size of 100 millimetres (3.9 in) while males sometimes only grow half as large. They have a large head that makes up to 1/3 of the body, with a notably large mouth. Their mouth contains a top row of teeth and two "fangs" on the lower jaw. They have extremely short and stubby limbs and the forelimbs are unwebbed. L. laevis is dark olive green with darker blotches outlined in orange. The males have a dark blue throat.[4]
Diet and behavior
The wide-mouth frog is well adapted to its environment, notably the harsh winter. During this time it will remain inactive underground in a cocoon of shed dead skin which protects it from losing water until they emerge. This species is generally very aggressive and will puff up when threatened to appear larger. If this behavior does not deter the intruder they will make a shrill screech, bite, and corner the target.[5] They are nocturnal and hunt at night, submerged up to their nostrils waiting for prey to pass by. They then lunge and swallow the prey whole. They feed on other frogs, insects, and snails. The tadpoles of this species are obligate carnivores that swallow their prey whole, and are known to be cannibalistic.[6] They have a different gut morphology than non-carnivorous tadpoles.[7]
Reproduction
L. laevis can produce up to 1400 eggs in a single mating. A pair will reproduce and deposit a mass of fertilized eggs in temporary pools of water. The embryo develops at a rapid rate over two weeks, in order to metamorphize into mobile adolescent form before the breeding pool dries up.[5] The tadpoles are carnivores and cannibalistic at the time of hatching and have nearly adult jaws. They sexually mature in about a year.[8]
Distribution and conservation
It is commonly observed in Paraguay and Bolivia, and less frequently in Argentina. Its natural habitats are the dry and wet Chaco. Breeding may take place in shallow temporary pools and artificial ponds. It is in some areas threatened by habitat loss but there is a large total population size. The species is listed as Least Concern in view of its relatively wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining rapidly enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.[1]
Captivity
These frogs are often kept by keepers with mild experience with frogs or advanced owners. A ten to twenty gallon tank is generally recommended, without aquarium gravel because it causes digestive issues. River stones are a better alternative. Rocks should be sloped to allow the frog to exit the water. They do not require special heating in houses with a comfortable temperature of about 72 °F (22 °C). This species of frog needs to be kept alone or with members of the same species and of equal size, as they will consume anything smaller than themselves.[3]
References
- ^ a b Lucy Aquino, Ignacio De la Riva, Jorge Céspedez (2004). "Lepidobatrachus laevis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T57111A11581308. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T57111A11581308.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Lepidobatrachus laevis Budgett, 1899". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Rearick, Monica. "Budgett's Frog". Animal-World. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ a b Infante, Carlos R. (22 June 2009). Whittaker, Kellie (ed.). "Lepidobatrachus laevis". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ a b Vellard, J. (1948). Batracios del chaco argentino. Acta Zoologica Lilloana, 5, 137-174.
- ^ Ruibal, Rodolfo; Thomas, Eric (1988). "The Obligate Carnivorous Larvae of the Frog, Lepidobatrachus laevis (Leptodactylidae)". Copeia. 1988 (3): 591–604. doi:10.2307/1445377. ISSN 0045-8511.
- ^ Bloom, Stephanie; Ledon-Rettig, Cris; Infante, Carlos; Everly, Anne; Hanken, James; Nascone-Yoder, Nanette (2013-05). "Developmental origins of a novel gut morphology in frogs: Developmental basis of novel morphology". Evolution & Development. 15 (3): 213–223. doi:10.1111/ede.12035. PMC 3870478. PMID 23607305.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: PMC format (link) - ^ Faivovich, J. (1994). La distribución del género Lepidobatrachus (Budgett, 1899) (Leptodactylidae: Ceratophryinae). Acta Zoologica Lilloana, 43(1), 137-174.
External links
- Care information for keeping Lepidobatrachus laevis in the home aquarium at the Aquarium Wiki
