Herpetology Scientific Names and Vocab

BIOL 315

Podarcis muralis

Common wall lizard

Scincus scincus

Sandfish skink

Necturus maculosis

Mudpuppy

Anuran

Relating to frogs or toads

Pseudacris crucifer

Spring peeper

Lithobates clamitans

Northern green frog

Hyla versicolor

Gray treefrog

Hyla chrysocelis

Cope’s gray treefrog

Anaxyrus americanus

American toad

Chrysemys picta

Painted turtle

Physical characteristics of spring peepers

Light brown dorsum with a cross marking, light tan and unmarked underside

Physical characteristics of gray treefrogs

Color changing green/gray, light underside with bright yellow inner thighs, big and sticky toe pads

Physical characteristics of American toads

Black/brown/reddish with defined paratoid gland and cranial crest, underside white with dark speckles, 3-bumped dark spots

Physical characteristics of painted turtles

Unmarked dark green/black carapace, bright red/orange plastron with black markings, black face and front feet with yellow streaks

Amplexus

Anuran mating without intermittent organ

Tympanic membrane

Circular membrane that covers anuran inner ears

Family: Spring peeper, gray treefrog

Hylidae

Family: Northern green frog, bullfrog

Ranidae

Family: American toad

Bufonidae

Family: Painted turtle

Emydidae

Family: Common wall lizard

Lacertidae

Family: Sandfish skink

Scincidae

Family: Northern watersnake, Northern brown snake

Colubridae

Family: Northern two-lined salamander

Plethodontidae

Storeria dekayi

Northern brown snake

Nerodia sipedon

Northern watersnake

Agkistrodon contortrix

Copperhead

Lithobates catesbeianus

Bullfrog

Eurycea bislineata

Northern two-lined salamander