amphibians lab

Ambystoma bishopi- Reticulated flatwoods salamander

aka fancy BISHOP

mole salamander

3.5-5.2

1 of most endangered salamanders

slender body, dark brown/black, silvery net like (reticulated) pattern on back

native to Fl panhandle and SW georgia

Ambystoma cingulatum- Flatwoods salamander.

mole salamander

unlike bishopi he is not fancy just cingulatum? idk

5-5.5 in

very similar to A, bishopi

endangered to to habitat loss

Ambystoma opacum- Marbled salamander.

opacum like opal, which is marbled gemstone

mole salamander

3.5-4.5 in

stocky, black and bold w silver across back

native to eastern and central US

Ambystoma talpoideum- Mole salamander.

MOLE stands at talPOIDEUM

3-4 in

stocky, broad headed, dark gray or brown w indistinct lighter spots

some exhibit neoteny, adults retain larval characteristics and stay aquatic

critically endangered

Ambystoma tigrinum- Tiger salamander.

mole salamander

one of largest salamanders in NA

6-13 in

some never lose gills, stay aquatic

large stocky body w yellow blotches or stripes on dark/brown

Amphiuma means- Two-toed amphiuma.

AMPHIUMA MEANS BECAUSE TWO-TOED AMPHIUMA MEANS BUSINESS

congo eels

14-16 in

1 of largest salamanders in NA

eel like body, 2 small vestigial limbs, dark gray to black

fully aquatic but has lungs

Amphiuma pholeter- One-toed amphiuma.

1 TOE=1 PHOLECLE

8-14 in, smallest amphiuma

1 toe per limb, usually brown or gray

rarest amphiuma

threatened due to habitat loss

Desmognathus apalachicolae- Apalachicola dusky salamander.

round, skinny tail, laterally compresses towards tail tip, more than ½ total body length

imperiled status in fl due to pollution, vulnerable in rest of range

Desmognathus auriculatus- Southern dusky salamander.

in the SOUTH ppl have accents and must AURICULATUS their words

stout, knife edged tail suited for swimming and burrowing in muck

flecks of white on belly, underside of head, sides and between limbs and tail

historically covered campus now found in ~1%, decline began in 1960’s, unknown cause

Desmognathus cf. conanti- Spotted dusky salamander.

6-8 pairs golden reddish dorsal spots

molted light underside

compressed! and knife edged above tail

Desmognathus monticola- Seal salamander.

seals are found in santa MONICA, CA

dark rough toe tips

stout w prominent dark spots

compressed tail, knife edged above

has been found in elevations up to 5101 ft

Eurycea cirrigera- Southern two-lined salamander.

ppl smoke CIGARRETES in the south and cigarettes have TWO colors

light broad middorsal stripe boarded by 2 dark lines

males have very pronounced cirri when reaching sexual maturity

Eurycea guttolineata- Three-lined salamander.

he is GLUTTONOUS and wants THREE lines

long tail (2/3 of body length)

small dark middorsal stripe from vent to mid eye region

4-6 month larval stage

Eurycea quadridigitata- Dwarf salamander.

he has QUADRA DIGITAS on each limb

2 dark dorsolateral stripes from eyes to tail tip

2-3 in long, smaller than 2-3 lined sal

found on campus

Eurycea sphagnicola- Bog dwarf salamander.

SPHAGNUM moss in bogs

concern in FL, impacted by feral hogs

Eurycea wallacei- Georgia Blind salamander.

little old man WALLACEI from GEORGIA is BLIND

Hemidactylium scutatum- Four-toed salamander.

grey/white sides

4 toes front and back

premaxillary tooth visible when mouth closed in adult males

males rub noses against females and circle her to deposit spermatophores that she picks up

Plethodon grobmani- Slimy salamander.

u can’t GROB MANI things when your hands are SLIMY

bellies usually solid black/dark blue

4-7 in

nasolabial groove

16 coastal grooves

Pseudotriton montanus- Mud salamander.

in the MOUNTAINS there is MUD

thicker and larger than ruber

tucks head in, has mild toxins as defense

Pseudotriton ruber- Red salamander.

when threatened curl head up and wave tail

16-17 coastal grooves

red/orange eyes w line

Stereochilus marginatus- Many-lined salamander.

there are MANY LINES on a paper with MARGINS

black line through eye to flat tail

4-5 in

18 coastal grooves

yellow bellies

Necturus cf. beyeri- Gulf Coast waterdog.

Notophthalmus perstriatus- Striped newt.

PEDESTRIANS cross on crosswalks that have STRIPES

2-4 in

unlikely to find on campus

red stripes down back and red spots lacking dark outline

eft: terrestrial juvenile, also have paedomorphic form where they retain external gills and mature aquatically

Notophthalmus viridescens- Eastern newt.

bright red spotting w dark outlines, red eft stage

up to 5 in

critical to controlling insect populations

possible to find on campus

Pseudobranchus striatus- Northern dwarf siren.

DWARFS and SIRENS are PSEUDO BRANCHUS of literature

lacks hind limbs (like a siren/mermaid)

4-10 in, smallest of known sirens

distinct striping on sides and 3 toes on each frontal limb

unlikely to be found on campus

Siren intermedia- Eastern Lesser siren.

2 frontal limbs w 4 toes each

31-35 coastal grooves

7-27 inches

neotenic

may be darker grays, blues, olive green, or black w possible spotting

Siren lacertina complex- Greater siren.

nocturnal and paedomorphic

36-20 coastal grooves

7-38 in, largest of sirens

lacks hindlimbs and eyelids, only frontal limbs w 4 toes

can be found throughout UCF arboretum

Anaxyrus fowleri- Fowler's toad.

2-3.25 in

grey to green w green to yellow striations on back

parotoid glands touch postorbital ridges

many not enlarged warts in largest dorsal spots

located in FL panhandle

Anaxyrus quercicus- Oak toad.

1.3 in

black/brown w red spots and line down middle

parotoid glands present

only in SE america

endangered

does not ribbit or hop

call: bird chirping

Anaxyrus terrestris- Southern toad.

the SOUTH has many TERRESTRIal TOADS

1.75-4.25 in

tan/reddish brown w black spots

parotoid glands present

many enlarged warts in largest dorsal spots

coastal plain or SE US from virginia to FL

call: long scream

Rhinella marina- Cane toad [NON-NATIVE].

4-6 in

brown dorsal w brown spots

parotoid glands present

called one of worst invasive species worldwide

Eleutherodactylus planirostris- Greenhouse frog [NON-NATIVE].

PLANts are in a GREENHOUSE

does not go from egg to tadpole to frog, it developes into froglet in egg and emerges a fully formed frog

0.6-1.25 in

native to cuba

found on UCF

found in any terrestrial habitat

plump body

reddish brown, back is marked w splotches or stripes

long thin toes are tipped w tiny toepads and lack webbing

Acris gryllus- Southern cricket frog.

SOUTHERN GRYLL frogs

virginia through FL, some keys, west to mississippi

single thigh stripe on each leg and anal papillae (diff from fl cricket frog)

deep brown to tan and russet to green

Y shape on head

long legs

call: marbles clicking

Hyla chrysoscelis- Cope's gray treefrog.

most abundant in SE as far N as Manitoba. located in 1/3 of FL peninsula

prefers wet woodland habitats, more of habitat generalist

freeze tolerant due to glycerol

heavy bodied

can undergo chameleon like changes from green to shades of gray to charcoal

orange-yellow patterned with black reticulations

Hyla cinerea- Green treefrog.

maryland to SE FL as far W as texas and as far N as deleware, open areas

olive-brown to dark olive-green dorsal coloration

may be brighter awake than asleep

distended subgular vocal sac lighter than throat

sides green and venter white w white lateral stripe from tip of snout to groin

call: honking

Hyla femoralis- Pine woods treefrog.

your FEMOR is a thick bone like PINE WOODS

extends from virginia to louisiana and S through peninsular FL to naples and ft laud

mostly pinewoods and cypress

often reddish but also grays and greens

dark lateral line beginning at nostril, passing through eye and curving downward posterior to tympanum continuing to groin

light irregularly shaped oval spots on dark concealed surface of thigh!

call: chitter chattering crickety

Hyla gratiosa- Barking treefrog.

i am GRATIOSA of BARKING TREEFROGS

from deleware to S FL and E louisiana, usually in coastal areas

yellowish-green, green, tan, or brown

granular pattern can be prominent or faded

upper lip white and irregular white lateral line may be present

large and round subgular vocal sac in males

call: deep barking

Hyla squirella- Squirrel treefrog.

found in SE US from Virginia to E Texas to FL keys

all manner of habitats

small and slender, adults may be less than an inch

change color rapidly

light upper lip and may have vaguely defined light or dark lateral line

interorbital blotch, spot, or triangle may be present

darker orbital stripes and dorsal lateral blotches may be present

males have rounded subgular vocal sac

LACKS well defined lateral strip, which most green treefrogs have, orange of yellow in groin, oval markings on thighs (pine woods have)

HAVE well developed toepads (lacking in cricket frogs and small in chorus frogs)

call: high pitched repetitive honking

Osteopilus septentrionalis- Cuban treefrog [NON-NATIVE].

native in cuba, bahamas, caymans

length 1-4 in, females larger

largest treefrog in US

large toepads near size of tympanum

dorsal skin fused to skull, blue colored bones

carnivorous

secrete chemical that can cause burning in eyes and nose

more saltwater tolerant than natives

breeding ssn most of year in FL, mate in warm/humid/rainy conditions, large clutch (4000-5000 eggs) in warm shallow water

call: very whiny

Pseudacris crucifer- Spring peeper. (refers to high pitches cheep heard by water in spring)

They have a X, like a cross, like a CRUCIFER on their back

ab 1 in long fully grown (male smaller)

dark V shape line connecting eyes

no webbing between toes

dark X on back

generalist insectivore

range E US and SE canada

breed 2+ months, females initiate, 2-30 eggs, open wetlands and marshy edges

Pseudacris feriarum- Upland chorus frog.

23-33 mm (0.91-1.3 in), females slightly larger'

brown, tan, or gray dorsal; light tan to white ventral

may have triangular dark blotch between eyes

defining character: 3 stripes run down dorsum, may be broken or spotty

range N america, primarily SE US, N tip of FL

insectivore

reproduction polygynandrous, female choice, require warm temp, fems have multiiple mates over life, males can mate w multiple fems in 1 ssn (DEC to APR)

Pseudacris nigrita- Southern chorus frog.

SOUTHERN CHORUS sing at NIGHT

19-32 mm, narrow head and body, pointed snout

tan and black, ventral surface pale yellow

often have 3 dark horizontal stripes or rows of dots, many have mid stripe extending to snout

limbs spotted or striped, dark bars along tibia

ventral surface may be speckled w dark spots

insectivore

pine savanna or pine flatwoods

breed in small bodies of water in S FL JAN to SEP, peak in JUNE-JULY ~15 eggs deposited on plant matter in shallow water

call: comb bristles

Pseudacris ocularis- Little grass frog.

need to use OCULARS to see them since they are so LITTLE

smallest frog in N America, 11-19 mm (0.4-0.75 in)

gray to brown to reddish, ventral white or yellow

defining character: dark stripe extends from nostril through eyes onto sides

coastal plain of SE US, includes most of FL

breed JAN-SEP or all year in FL, ~100 eggs on pond bottom or submerged vegetation

call: high pitched, faint, insect like trilling

Pseudacris ornata- Ornate chorus frog.

small and stout (1-1.5 in)

green-gray to reddish-brown, white ventral

usually have solid/broken dark line from nose to sides

often have faded triangle mark on head

sometimes dark spots/stripes on lower back

insectivore

coastal plains of SE US (most of FL)

breed NOV-MAR, 10-100 eggs on vegetation in shallow water

Gastrophryne carolinensis- Eastern narrowmouth toad.

0.9-1.4 in

grey to brown w sligh variations said to change w mood

parotoid glands not present

conservation found statewide

look similar to xenopus tropicalis but eyes are on side

call: goat like

Rana capito- Gopher frog.

2.3-3.5 in

dwell in small mammal or tortoise burrows

prefer dryer habitats

breed in fish free wetllands

species of special concern

unlikely to be found on UCF

heavy body w short thick limbs

PROMINENT dorsolateral ridges/folds

skin is warty or even wrinkled looking

call: very frog croaky

Rana catesbeiana- Bullfrog.

3-8 in

largest frog in US

found on UCF

found in nearly any aquatic habitat, able to compete in ponds w more fish than other frogs

greenish w whitish belly, back and belly marked w dark, net like pattern

stippling of light spots on inner thigh

no dorsolateral ridges/folds, wrap around ear

webbed on back foot aside from fourth toe, longest toe on hindfeet extend past webbing

no webbing on forelimbs

call: bull like lol

Rana clamitans- Green frog, Bronze frog.

2 recognized subspecies, bronze frog (L. clamitans clamitans) and green frog (L. clamitans melanota)

bronze found on campus

2-3 in

found near shoreline, stay close to water and only have 1 acre range

males have yellowish chin

have dorsolateral ridge/fold that extends 2/3 their torso

belly is mottled (worm like) white

also known as banjo frog

Rana grylio- Pig frog.

southern coastline, found on UCF

3-5in

highly aquatic

2nd most abundant species in FL

extensive webbing between toes reaching ends of toes

no dorsolateral ridges/folds, wrapped around ear

grayish green or brown with black mottling

narrower head than bullfrog, which is more round

call: oinky

Rana heckscheri- River frog.

he’s french and say HECK in the RIVER

large, 3-5 in

ventral sides characterized by short wavy lines or light spots

no dorsolateral ridges

skin is rough and wrinkled

tadpoles large reaching up to 4 in before metamorphosis

often confused w bullfrogs and pig frogs, distinguished by light spots of lips of lower jaw

commonly found in SE US

will play and smell dead instead of running away

diet of insects and small invertebrates

Rana sphenocephala- Southern leopard frog.

light spots on eardrums

pointed snout

dorsolateral ridges unbroken

brown to grey to even green

dark marks w light fields

light spot on tympanum

2-3.5 in

often confused w plains leopard frog and kauffeld’s leopard frog

found in SE NY all the way through FL reaching to E texas

found in almost any body of freshwater and even slightly brackish marshes, more terrestrial than other frogs

active both day and night

eats insects and small invertebrates

call: like rubbing hands on balloon

Rana virgatipes

Carpenter frog.

brown, red, olive light lips, scattered spots between stripes, 4 light stripes dorsolateral less pronounced than lateral

no dorsolateral ridge, curves around tympanum

4th toe extends beyond webbing

nocturnal

coastal plains from S NJ to N FL in bogs, swamps, edges of lakes and ponds

Scaphiopus holbrookii- Eastern spadefoot toad.

BROO digging with his SPADEFOOT

1.7-2.2 in

tan/yellowish to dark brown

parotoid glands present

least concern species in SE US

rarely comes from underground spends most its life in hibernation

call: sad whoopie cushion

Xenopus tropicalis- Western Clawed Frog.

4-6 cm

mostly aquatic

flat streamlined body

eyes on top of head

webbed feet w claws on 1st 3 toes

sexually dimorphic (adults fems grow larger)

tadpoles transition from sucking air bubbles to breathing air by breaking surface tension of water within a few days of hatching

mostly located in W africa and only recently in US

nocturnal

diet of primarily invertebrates, cannibalism has been observed

tadpoles are filter feeders