| Species ID | 020390 |
| Name | Veined treefrog |
| Other Common Names | |
| Category | 02 Amphibians |
| Phylum | |
| Subphylum | |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Subclass | |
| Suborder | |
| Family | Hylidae |
| Genus | Phrynohyas |
| Species | venulosa |
| Subspecies | |
| References | 3 |
| Scientific Synonyms | Rana venulosa, Laurenti, 1768 |
| DISTRICT | References |
| Belize, Belize | 1 |
| Cayo, Belize | 1 |
| Corozal, Belize | 1 |
| Orange Walk, Belize | 1 |
| Stann Creek, Belize | 1 |
| Toledo, Belize | 1 |
| Administrative Unit | Occurrence | Abundance | Temporal | References |
| Gallon Jug | Photographed | Unknown, insufficient data | August | 4 |
| Private land, see comments | ||||
| Government land | 1 | |||
| Shipstern Nature Reserve | 1 | |||
| Freshwater Creek Forest Reserve | 1 | |||
| Rio Bravo Conservation Area | 1 | |||
| Gallon Jug | 1 | |||
| Private land, see comments | 1 | |||
| Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (Private) | 1 | |||
| Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve | 1 |
| ELEVATION Association | References |
| 1-200 m | 4 |
| QUAD Distribution | References |
| 17 30' to 17 45'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 4 |
| 17 45' to 18 00'; 88 15' to 88 30' | |
| 17 30' to 17 45'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 1 |
| 18 15' to 18 30'; 88 15' to 88 30' | 1 |
| 17 15' to 17 30'; 88 30' to 88 45' | 2 |
| 17 15' to 17 30'; 88 10' to 88 30' | 1 |
| 17 00' to 17 15'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 1 |
| 17 00' to 17 15'; 88 45' to 89 00' | 1 |
| 16 45' to 17 00'; 88 45' to 89 00' | 1 |
| 18 15' to 18 30'; 88 00' to 88 15' | 1 |
| 16 45' to 17 00'; 88 15' to 88 30' | 1 |
| 16 30' to 16 45'; 88 30' to 88 45' | 1 |
| 16 15' to 16 30'; 88 45' to 89 00' | 1 |
| 18 00' to 18 15'; 88 30' to 88 45' | 1 |
| 18 00' to 18 15'; 88 15' to 88 30' | 1 |
| 17 45' to 18 00'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 1 |
| Holdridge Life Zone Distribution | References |
| Subtropical moist | 4 |
Comments on Distribution
2* Gracy Rock, Maskal. 3* Miller, C.M. (1992). Natural history voucher photograph collection, Gallon Jug.
| Pictures | |
Comments on General Food Habits
3* Feed primarily on small invertebrates, especially insects, but its large size allows it to take small vertebrates as well, such as the Hypopachus that Dundee and Liner (1985a:109) found in the mouth of a specimen in northwestern Yucatan. Dundee and Liner (1985a:109) examined the stomach contents of 70 specimens from six Mexican states and concluded that P. venulosa feeds predominantly on insects, especially grasshoppers and crickets, beetles, flies, and bugs. At night individuals are sometimes seen clinging to the walls of buildings, where they prey on insects attracted to electric lights.
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
| General | 3 |
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
Life History Narrative
This is a common and widespread frog in the Yucatan Peninsula, where it can be found in most habitats other than those with brackish water. Individuals pass the dry season sequestered in a variety of retreats, including bromeliads (H. M. Smith, 1941e:38), leaf axils, tree crevices, and beneath the bark on standing trees. As is the case for most anurans in the Yucatan Peninsula, Phrynohyas breeds in association with the summer rains, but this species seems especially dependent on heavy rains to initiate breeding. Large breeding aggregations form at temporary bodies of water, and males generally call from the surface of the water. Pyburn (1967:186) described oviposition in this species in Veracruz. Amplexus is axillary, and a single amplectant pair will deposit several masses of eggs in an evening. The eggs are deposited as a surface film. The larvae complete metamorphosis about 47 days, at which time the froglets are 13 to 16 mm in snout-vent length. Phrynohyas venulosa feeds primarily on small invertebrates, especially insects, but its large size allows it to take small vertebrates as well, such as the Hypopachus that Dundee and Liner (1985a:109) found in the mouth of a specimen in northwestern Yucatan. Dundee and Liner (1985a:109) examined the stomach contents of 70 specimens from six Mexican states and concluded that P. venulosa feeds predominantly on insects, especially grasshoppers and crickets, beetles, flies, and bugs. At night This species is particularly well suited for existence in areas with prolonged dry seasons. Frogs from areas with a pronounced dry season tend to be larger than those from wetter areas, perhaps because the smaller surface-to-volume ratio of large frogs confers an advantage in a desiccating environment (McDiarmid, 1968). The thick dermal glands on the dorsum are rich in granular poison glands, which are relatively much more numerous than mucous glands (Duellman, 1956:14). Glands in the integument produce a thick, sticky, milky secretion that is highly irritating to mucous membranes and can cause sneezing in humans, even without direct contact (Duellman, 1956:34; Janzen, 1962:651; H. M. Smith, 1941e:38). The secretion undoubtedly discourages predators, but it may also impede evaporative water loss (McDiarmid, 1968). In addition, Goeldi (1895:135) reported that Phrynohyas uses its integumentary secretions to line the interior of the tree cavities within which it seeks refuge.
Life History References
3
| References/Result | Reference Numbers |
1 Meerman, J., 1994. Summary of Herpetofauna Distributions in Belize. Report to National Protected Areas Management Project. 2 Neill, W.T. and R. Allen. 1959. Additions to the British Honduras Herpetofaunal list. Herpetologica 15:235-240. 3 Lee, Julian C. 1996. The Amphibians and Reptiles of the Yucatan Peninsula. Comstock Publishing Associates. Ithaca, New York. 4 Miller, C.M. 1992. Natural history voucher photograph collection.