Cranwell's Horned Frog
| Ceratophrys cranwelli | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ceratophryidae |
| Genus: | Ceratophrys |
| Species: | cranwelli |
| Binomial name | |
| Ceratophrys cranwelli | |
| (Barrio, 1980) | |
Cranwell's Horned Frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli), also known as Chacoan Horned Frog, is the most popular Pacman frog in the pet trade where dozens of different color morphs, which would not be found in nature, have been selectively bred and produced.
Classification[edit | edit source]
Until Barrio described C. cranwelli in 1980 the species was believed to be Ceratophrys ornata. It is now known that C. cranwelli is diploid while C. ornata is octoploid, different regions are occupied, and Cranwell's Horned Frog has more prominent "horns" above the eyes. In the wild C. ornata has brighter more vibrant colors. In some cases it is necessary to perform a comparison of karyotypes to differentiate between specimens of C. cranwelli and C. ornata.[1]
Geographical Distribution[edit | edit source]
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Because of the wide distribution and the ability to thrive in a wide range of habitats, the IUCN has ranked C. cranwelli as Least Concern.[2]
It can be found between 0m and 700m. Its natural habitat spans the Gran Chaco region in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay where they can be found in close proximity to ephemeral ponds.[3][4]
Appearance[edit | edit source]
Female C. cranwelli can reach sizes up to 8in, however the average size for males and females is 4in to 7in. Males tend to be smaller as the species displays sexual dimorphism. They can weigh more than 1lb and have a large, flat, wide head, horn shaped eyes, and a noticeably large mouth that inspires the moniker Pacman frog.
In the wild the coloration is a muted green and or light brown with dark brown dorsal spots and a pale underbelly.[1]
Behavior[edit | edit source]
C. cranwelli is terrestrial during the rainy season and fossorial during the dry season. It is sit-and-wait predator.[5] During the dry season it is infrequently found.
Reproduction[edit | edit source]
Breeding occurs during the early portion of the rainy season. Females lay their eggs in ponds, which will eventually hatch into tadpoles. Females have been found to lay as many as 1200 eggs. [6][7][8]
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Tadpoles[edit | edit source]
They are carnivorous and eat crustaceans, insects, tadpoles as well as conspecific tadpoles. Similar to Ceratophrys ornata, C. cranwelli tadpoles can produce audible sounds.[9][10]
Diet[edit | edit source]
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The primary prey of C. cranwelli is anurans, but they do not discriminate and will eat anything that comes across its path and fits in its mouth.[11]
Threats[edit | edit source]
It is disappearing in the southern part of its geographical range due to the decimation of its habitat. In addition it is common for humans to eradicate C. cranwelli due to the misguided belief that they are venomous. [2]
- Forest fires
- Habitat loss
- Human persecution
- Harvesting for pet trade
- Agriculture
- Ranching
- Railroad and road development
- Hunting[2]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Barrio, A. (1980). "Una nueva especie de Ceratophrys (Anura, Ceratophryidae) del dominio Chaqueno." Physis (Buenos Aires), 39(96), 21-30.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 IUCN Red List - https://www.iucnredlist.org/fr/species/56338/101427626
- ↑ Schalk, C. M., Fitzgerald, L. A. (2015). "Ontogenetic shifts in ambush–site selection of a sit-and-wait predator, the Chacoan Horned Frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli)." Canadian Journal of Zoology, 93(6), 461-467. - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276279073_Ontogenetic_shifts_in_ambush_site_selection_of_a_sit-and-wait_predator_the_Chacoan_Horned_Frog_Ceratophrys_cranwelli
- ↑ Reichle, S., Aquino, L., Silvano, D., di Tada, I. (2004). “Ceratophrys cranwelli.” The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T56338A11464257. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T56338A11464257.en
- ↑ Schalk, C. M., Montaña, C. G., Klemish, J. L., Wild, E. R. (2014). "On the diet of the frogs of the Ceratophryidae: Synopsis and new contributions." South American Journal of Herpetology, 9(2), 90-105. - https://bioone.org/journals/south-american-journal-of-herpetology/volume-9/issue-2/SAJH-D-14-00008.1/On-the-Diet-of-the-Frogs-of-the-Ceratophryidae/10.2994/SAJH-D-14-00008.1.short
- ↑ Fabrezi, M. (2011). "Heterochrony in growth and development in anurans from the Chaco of South America." Evolutionary Biology, 38(4), 390–411. - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11692-011-9128-5
- ↑ Valetti, J. A., Salas, N. E., Martino, A. L. (2012). "Bioacústica del canto de advertencia de Ceratophrys cranwelli (Anura: Ceratophrydae)." Revista de Biología Tropical, 61(1), 273-280. - https://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-77442013000100022
- ↑ Salgado Costa, C., Chuliver Pereyra, M., Alcalde, L., Herrera, R., Trudeau, V. L., Natale, G. S (2014). "Underwater sound emission as part of an antipredator mechanism in Ceratophrys cranwelli tadpoles." Acta Zoologica, 95(3), 367-374. - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/azo.12035
- ↑ Vera Candioti, M. F. (2005). "Morphology and feeding in tadpoles of Ceratophrys cranwelli (Anura: Leptodactylidae)." Acta Zoologica, 86(1), 1-11. - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0001-7272.2005.00178.x
- ↑ Salgado Costa, C., Chuliver Pereyra, M., Alcalde, L., Herrera, R., Trudeau, V. L., Natale, G. S (2014). "Underwater sound emission as part of an antipredator mechanism in Ceratophrys cranwelli tadpoles." Acta Zoologica, 95(3), 367-374. - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/azo.12035
- ↑ Schalk, C. M. and C. G. Montaña. 2011. Ceratophrys cranwelli (cranwell´s horned frog). Diet. Herpetological Review 42: 409–410