Physalaemus nattereri

Physalaemus nattereri

Cuyaba dwarf frog

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Physalaemus nattereri

Physalaemus nattereri (common name: Cuyaba dwarf frog) is a frog native to central and southeastern Brazil and eastern Bolivia and Paraguay.

Appearance

It has two "false eyes" on its rear. The 3–4 cm frog lifts its rear end when threatened, startling predators. If a predator does not get fooled by the eyespots, and decides to move closer, the frog can produce an unpleasant secretion that comes from glands located in the eyespots. Similar display is known from Physalaemus deimaticus.

Distribution

Geography

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Physalaemus nattereri habitat map
Physalaemus nattereri habitat map
Physalaemus nattereri
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Mating Habits

A study in Bodoquena (in the Mato Grosso do Sul state of Brazil) found Physalaemus nattereri to be an explosive breeder, with most of the reproductive activity occurring within a few days after heavy rainfall. Males formed choruses to attract females but they could also actively search for females. Egg clutches were deposited in the margins of temporary ponds. Several pairs may use the same foam nest. Mean clutch size was about 3800 eggs. Females were larger (mean snout–vent length 51 mm (2.0 in), range 43–56 mm; mean body mass 19.3 g) than males (47 mm (1.9 in), range 43–55 mm; 11.4 g). Ovaries made about 22% of female body mass; fecundity increased with the female body size.

References

1. Physalaemus nattereri Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalaemus_nattereri
2. Physalaemus nattereri on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/57267/11597340

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