History and origin
The Parsley frog was first described by Daudin in 1802, the Latin name of this species is Pelodytes punctatus. Pelodytes in Greek is composed of two words, the first meaning 'mud' and the second meaning to 'dive' or 'sink' this name is more appropriate to the Spadefoot toads (Pelobates sp.). Punctatus is Latin and means 'dot' or 'small freckles'.
Characteristics
They are characterised by their frog-like appearance mixed with rather toad-like rough skin and vertical pupils, this 'frog' is actually closer related to toads.
Description
=Size=
- Eggs: The eggs measure about 1 to 3 mm in diameter, they are laid in a cord that is up to 8 cm long and is about 5 to 10 mm thick.
- Tadpoles: The tadpoles measure 3 to 4 mm long when they exit the egg. Maximum sized tadpoles measure about 65 mm long.
- Juveniles: The juveniles measure 10 to 15 mm long when they exit the water.
- Adults: Adults measure up to 50 mm long.
=Morphology=
- Eggs: They are laid in small cordons, these are attached to twigs.
- Tadpoles: The tail is quite tall going onto the back.
- Adults: They are an elegantly built frog with a flattened head and long hind limbs. Their back is quite rough and warty. Their webbing is not well developed. Their pupils are vertical. They have internal vocal sacs.
=Patterns & colours=
- Eggs: They are black on top, whitish underneath, they are encased inside a transparent cordon.
- Tadpoles: They are dark gray on top, they flanks are bluish with golden blotches. The tail is light gray.
- Adults: They don't really have what we can call a pattern, the only stability is that the few warts on the back are always or almost always darker in colour compared with the background colour. The background colour varies from green to brown and sometimes yellowish or very light brown to pinkish. They eyes are golden, their belly is whitish.
Geographical range Found over most of France except for parts of the Massif Centrale, the Jura mountains, Alsace, the Western Pyrenees and the Aquitaine lowlands. They are found along a small perimeter of the French-Italian coast. In Spain they are found in the eastern half of the country.
Subspecies
None described
Sexual differences
The males are smaller then females. Males have dark nuptial pads on the first two fingers, on the inner arm and on the chest. The front legs of the males are more robust then that of the females. Males have 2 internal vocal sacs.
Seasonal variations
Males nuptial pads are visible during the breeding season.
Diet
They feed on a large proportion of insects. Tadpoles eat vegetation and often ants. The tadpoles also feed on the eggs and tadpoles of the Natterjack toad.
Defensive habits
When they feel threatened they flee and try to hide in the closest place. If they are in the water then the dive and submerge themselves into the mud of dense vegetation or under rocks.
Reproduction
The breeding season occurs straight after hibernation and can occur up to 3 times a year (starts as early as February). Reproduction sites are usually ponds, streams, slow moving rivers, flooded fields mostly. Males wait for the females and once encountered they grab the female from behind. The male helps the female to eject the eggs, at this point the female has already decided on which water plant she wishes to use to hold the eggs, the female then attaches the eggs. The male helps by using his hind legs to slowly pull out the eggs from the female fertilizing them on the way. afterwards, the couple swim to another suitable water plant and the procedure starts again,. and again until the female is empty.
Sexual maturity, life span
The average life span for Pelodytes punctatus is about 15 years, they reach their sexual maturity in their second year.
Habits
They are active at night. Very agile and moves by jumping. They are good swimmers, and also good climbers and can climb smooth surfaces using their belies as do Tree frogs.
Call
Mainly calls at night. Males sing a 'koak...koak...koak' either under the water or with the head out of the water (on the surface). Females respond sometimes with a weakened 'coo...coo', on ground males call sounds more like 'ore-e-e-ek' like a creaking door, sound (p)www.oreilleverte.com:
Habitat
Found at under 1500 meters. Found in open habitat as well pin woods and other woods, more cultivated and. Shows greater interest in limestone areas. Aquatic habitat is preferred to be very dense in vegetation but is also found in lesser dense vegetation occupied water (artificial water holes), streams... Outside of the breeding season they often live around and in dry landscapes (hiding in cracks and under stone by day).
Predators
Birds, their main threat comes from owls. They are also eaten by snakes. The tadpoles may be hunted by numerous water insects.
Found over most of France except for parts of the Massif Centrale, the Jura mountains, Alsace, the Western Pyrenees and the Aquitaine lowlands. They are found along a small perimeter of the French-Italian coast. In Spain they are found in the eastern half of the country.
Parsley frog, Pelodytes punctatus - © Daniel Phillips
