Stolzmann's Horned Frog
First described in 1882 by Steindachner in 1882, Stolzmann's Horned Frog (Ceratophrys stolzmanni) is also known as the Pacific Horned Frog, Pacific Big-Mouthed Frog, and Ecuadorian Horned Frog. It is 1 of 8 Pacman frogs in the Ceratophrys genus.
C. stolzmanni is genetically similar to Ceratophrys cornuta and Ceratophrys calcarata.[1]
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Geographical Distribution[edit | edit source]
Stolzmann's Horned Frog can be found in Ecyador and Peru in sandy shores, subtropical and tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical and tropical dry forest. It can be found between 0m and 130m.[2]
There are 2 subspecies: Ceratophrys stolzmanni ssp. scaphiopeza in Ecuador, and C. stolzmanni ssp. stolzmanni in Peru.[2]
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Appearance[edit | edit source]
C. stolzmanni has a wide head and mouth. Dark marks are observable on dorsal surfaces. Colors vary between dark brown, light brown, light green, and dark green. Unlike Ceratophrys cornuta and Ceratophrys testudo, Ceratophrys stolzmanni does not have horns over the eyes.[1]
Behavior[edit | edit source]
Stolzmann's Horned Frog spends most of the year underground and are nocturnal. Their lifespan is extremely low with less than 2% reaching the age of 4.[1]
Diet[edit | edit source]
Its diet consists of invertebrates and vertebrates that come across its path, including, but not limited to: arachnids, insects, gastropods, centipedes, fish, rodents, frogs. Baby and juveniles will primarily eat bugs and worms.
C. stolzmanni has also been seen engaging in cannibalism and necrophagy.[1]
Captivity[edit | edit source]
Typical behavior is calm, but it can become aggressive and bite if its being handled. Its bite can cause pain and draw blood. Detaching it once it has bitten can be quite difficult.
Breeding[edit | edit source]
C. stolzmanni reaches sexual maturity before 1 year of age. Breeding can be observed between February and March triggered by the rainy season. The male will grasp the female in axillary amplexus.[3] Metamorphosis completing between March and April with metamorphosis lasting around 25 days. Approximately 16.5 to 26 days after eggs are laid tadpoles will leave leave the intermittent ponds. This rapid cycle is believed to be pressured by how quickly these ponds will dry up.[1]
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Threats[edit | edit source]
The IUCN last evaluated C. stolzmanni in 2018 and lists the species as vulnerable with a population of mature individuals at under 10,000. There are less than 8 subpopulations with each having 1,000 or less individuals. Due to the separation of populations genetic diversity is severely threatened. The populations in Ecuador are in decline due to deforestation. The population in Peru is more protected due to protections of the coastal dry forests.[2]
- Agriculture
- Deforestation
- Logging
- Ranching
- Soil Pollution
- Residential Development
- Forest Fires
- Roadkill
- Drought
- Harvesting for Pet Trade[2]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ceratophrys stolzmanni, Amphibia Web - https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?where-scientific_name=Ceratophrys+stolzmanni
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Pacific Horned Frog Ceratophrys stolzmanni, IUCN Red List - https://iucnredlist.org/species/56341/89204905
- ↑ Székely, Diana; Székely, Paul; Denoël, Mathieu; Cogălniceanu, Dan (April 2018). "Random size-assortative mating despite size-dependent fecundity in a Neotropical amphibian with explosive reproduction". Ethology. 124 (4): 218–226. doi:10.1111/eth.12724. hdl:2268/217779 - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eth.12724