Description
provided by AmphibiaWeb articles
There are three pattern variations in this species: almost uniformly colored animals; animals with large dark spots with bright edges and animals with two dark brown longitudinal bands, one bright band along the back and two bright bands along the sides. The belly is whitish. The body is stout with a flat head that is wider than it is long. The dorsal glands are arranged in longitudinal patterns along the back, or can be absent. The pupil is shaped like an upside-down droplet (Noellert and Noellert 1992). D. galganoi is similar in appearance to D. jeanneae, but can be distinguished from the latter by biochemical and morphometric characteristics (Busack 1986). The distinction between D. jeanneae and D. galganoi is also supported by phylogenetic work based upon mitochondrial sequences (Garcia-Paris and Jockusch 1999).
Busack, S. D. (1986). ''Biochemical and morphological differentiation in Spanish and Moroccan populations of Discoglossus and the description of a new species from southern Spain (Amphibia, Anura, Discoglossidae.'' Annals of Carnegie Museum, 55, 41-61.
- author
- Arie van der Meijden
Distribution and Habitat
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D. galganoi is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. It inhabits Portugal and the western part of Spain. D. galganoi is separated from D. jeanneae which inhabits the eastern part of Spain by the Guadalquivir river in the southern part of its distribution, and by the saline lakes in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula. Contact zones between the two species are expected in the eastern portion of the Sierra Morena, near the Sierra de Guadarrama and along the northwestern edge of the Meseta Norte (Garcia-Paris and Jockusch 1999). D. galganoi is mostly found in or in the direct vicinity of water. They are found in stagnant waters, in swamps and mountain streams and even in brackish waters (Noellert and Noellert 1992).
- author
- Arie van der Meijden
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
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The reproductive period of D. galganoi starts in October, and ends in late summer. During this period, the female can produce up to six clutches, each of 300 to 1500 eggs. Over the entire breeding season, she can produce as many as 4900-5600 eggs. Each female mates with a number of males, and each mating she produces 20 to 50 eggs. These eggs are laid singularly or as small clumps on the bottom, or are attached to plants. Eggs have a diameter of 1.5-2 mm, the gelatinous envelope measuring 6-8 mm. Depending on water temperature, the embryonic development takes 2 to 6 days. Larvae are 3mm in length upon hatching, and grow to a total length of 25 to 35 mm. The diurnal larvae are mostly found in December, March and May. Larval development takes 22 to 60 days, and newly metamorphosed frogs have a snout-vent length of about 10 mm. Sexual maturity is reached at an age of 3-5 years for males, and at an age of about 4 years for females. Total life span is estimated at about 9 years. D. galganoi is active when water temperatures rise above 9°C. The optimum temperatures for this species is between 21 and 30°C. The animals become inactive when the relative humidity of the air drops below 45% (Noellert and Noellert 1992).
- author
- Arie van der Meijden
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
provided by AmphibiaWeb articles
This species seems to be abundant throughout its entire range. As an ubiquitous frog species it is not endangered by specific threats; however, marginal and sparse populations, which possibly represent distinct genetic lineages, are threatened and in some cases became extinct because of the destruction of their habitats (Gasc 1997).
- author
- Arie van der Meijden
Size
provided by EOL authors
Body length between 35 to 80 mm
Iberian painted frog
provided by wikipedia EN
The Iberian painted frog (Discoglossus galganoi) is a species of frog in the family Alytidae (formerly Discoglossidae). It is found in Portugal and Spain, where its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers, intermittent rivers, swamps, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, sandy shores, arable land, and grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Description
This small frog has a broad head and stout body. It usually has longitudinal rows of warts on its back, but these are not present in all individuals. The pupils of the eyes are said to resemble an "upside-down droplet". This frog occurs in three different colour forms - a plain shade of greyish-brown, a pattern of large dark spots with pale rims, and a dorsal and two lateral bright bands on a dark background.[2]
Distribution and habitat
The Iberian painted frog is endemic to Spain and Portugal. It occurs at altitudes of up to 1,940 m (6,360 ft) and its typical habitats include open areas, rough grassland, thickets, woodland verges, swamps, and gulleys, usually in or near water.[1]
Biology
The breeding period usually lasts from October to December. Females mate several times and can produce as many as 5,000 eggs in several clutches during the season. The eggs are laid in water either singly or in small groups, on the bottom or attached to plants. They hatch after 2-6 days according to the temperature. The tadpoles undergo metamorphosis after between 22 and 60 days of development, and the juveniles are about 1 cm (0.4 in) long when they leave the water.[2]
Status
The Iberian painted frog is listed by the IUCN as being of least concern. It is common over most of its range and the number of individuals may be declining slowly, but the rate of loss is not sufficient to justify placing it in a more threatened category.[1]
References
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Iberian painted frog: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Iberian painted frog (Discoglossus galganoi) is a species of frog in the family Alytidae (formerly Discoglossidae). It is found in Portugal and Spain, where its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers, intermittent rivers, swamps, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, sandy shores, arable land, and grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
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