History and origin
The Pyrenean frog was first described by Serra-Cobo in 1993, the scientific name of this species is Rana pyrenaica. Rana is Latin and means frog. Pyrenaica is also Latin and means 'Pyrenees'.
Characteristics
This species is characterised by being very uniform with little or no dorsal and flank patterns. This the only anura strictly mountainous, they are the smallest European frog.
Description
=Size=
- Eggs: The eggs measure about 3 mm in diameter, they are laid in separate balls that measure about 8 mm in diameter.
- Tadpoles: The tadpoles measure 6 mm long when they exit the egg. Maximum sized tadpoles measure about 13 to 20 mm long.
- Juveniles: The juveniles measure 12 mm long when they exit the water.
- Adults: Males grow measure about 30 to 45 mm long, females reach a size of up to 50 mm long.
=Morphology=
- Eggs: The eggs are laid in individual balls in 1 cluster of up to 150 eggs.
- Tadpoles: They have a short tail that doesn't come up onto thee back. The tail ends bluntly .
- Adults: A small, slim frog with a short yet large head with a rounded snout, they have smooth skin, the dorsolateral folds are very discrete. They lack paratoid glands. Their pupils are horizontal. They have very complete hind legs webbing.
=Patterns & colours=
- Eggs: They are brown, blackish on the upper side, and have a white blotch on the underside.
- Tadpoles: They are almost black.
- Adults: They are very uniform. They rarely have any patterns on the back, they have the black 'bandit-like' mask across the eyes from the nose towards the ears. The background colour is usually pinkish / orange / brown. Young specimens may be darker (gray, green...) and may sometimes have darker blotches on the flanks and back. They belly is whitish. Their eyes are golden.
Geographical range Only found in a very small area in the western Pyrenees, there is a French part and a Spanish part to their range. The French part is much smaller to the spanish side.
Subspecies
None described.
Sexual differences
Females ar generally larger, however males front legs are much more robust. Males have during the breeding season nuptial pads (greyish in colouring) on their thumbs.
Seasonal variations
Only the nuptial pads on the males varies from season to season.
Diet
They feed on a large proportion of insects such as wasps, earwigs and other... spiders, slugs...
Defensive habits
Unknown.
Reproduction
Their breeding activities starts as early as February but varies in function with altitude and climate. Metamorphoses occurs in September due to the cold water slowing the development of the tadpoles. The manor in which the breeding happens is not well known.
Sexual maturity, life span
Unknown.
Habits
Active by day as by night in warmer conditions. When they are disturbed they will dive into the water and hide within the gravel-stones at the bottom, they hibernate under water.
Call
Sounds like a bark 'woug...woug...woug...' about 2 impulsions per second, sound (p)www.oreilleverte.com:
Habitat
Found only between 800 to 1700 m in altitude. they live in the forests on slopes, they are often seen in and around small mountainous streams and small water holes, characterised by fresh clear water. These streams are also characterised by a rocky habitat. They often share these areas with Calotriton asper.
Pyrenean frog, Rana pyrenaica - © Jan van der Voort
Pyrenean frog, Rana pyrenaica - © Jan van der Voort
Only found in a very small area in the western Pyrenees, there is a French part and a Spanish part to their range. The French part is much smaller to the spanish side. 