<BBIS Species Account 020400>

Belize Biodiversity Information System


Wildlife Conservation Society
Ministry of Natural Resources' Land Information Centre
04/01/99

Taxonomy

Species ID020400
NameMexican treefrog
Other Common Names
Category02 Amphibians
Phylum
Subphylum
ClassAmphibia
Subclass
Suborder
FamilyHylidae
GenusSmilisca
Speciesbaudinii
Subspecies
References3
Scientific SynonymsHyla baudinii, Dumeril and Bibron, 1841

Distribution

DISTRICTReferences
Belize, Belize1
Cayo, Belize1
Corozal, Belize1
Orange Walk, Belize1
Stann Creek, Belize1
Toledo, Belize1

Administrative UnitOccurrenceAbundanceTemporalReferences
Gallon JugPhotographedUnknown, insufficient dataJuly4
Government land1
Shipstern Nature Reserve1
Freshwater Creek Forest Reserve1
Rio Bravo Conservation Area1
Altun Ha Archaeological Reserve1
Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (Private)1
Hidden Valley & Falls (Bull Run)1
Slate Creek Preserve1
Manatee Forest Reserve1
Caracol Archaeological Reserve1
Chiquibul Forest Reserve1
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve1
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary1
Chiquibul National Park1
Bladen Nature Reserve1
Tapir Mtn. Nature ReserveHeardWet season (June-December)2

Hydrologic Unit DistributionReferences
Roaring Creek2

ELEVATION AssociationReferences
1-200 m4

QUAD DistributionReferences
17 30' to 17 45'; 89 00' to 89 15'4
17 45' to 18 00'; 88 15' to 88 30'1
17 30' to 17 45'; 88 10' to 88 30'1
18 15' to 18 30'; 88 15' to 88 30'1
17 15' to 17 30'; 88 30' to 88 45'1
17 00' to 17 15'; 89 00' to 89 15'1
17 00' to 17 15'; 88 45' to 89 00'2
17 00' to 17 15'; 88 30' to 88 45'1
17 00' to 17 15'; 88 00' to 88 30'1
16 45' to 17 00'; 89 00' to 89 15'1
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'; 89 00' to 89 15'1
16 30' to 16 45'; 88 45' to 89 00'1
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 DistributionReferences
Tropical moist-transition to Subtropical2
Subtropical moist4

Comments on Distribution

2* NE portion TMNR
3* It is found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.
4* Miller, C.M. (1996).  Natural history voucher photograph collection.
   Gallon Jug.

Graphics

Pictures

Habitat Associations

Forest Type AssociationsSeral StageCanopy ClosureReferences
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species; Chiquebul-Bullhoof Forestmature tree71-100%2

Land Use/Land Cover AssociationsReferences
Protection2

Comments on Habitat Associations

2* surveys along dry streambed NE

Food Habits

Comments on General Food Habits

3* These frogs feed on invertebrates, especially insects and spiders. Noble (1918:342) found grasshoppers in the stomachs of specimens from Nicaragua.

References/LifestageReference Numbers
General3

Environmental Associations

References/LifestageReference Numbers

Life History

Life History Narrative

Smilisca baudinii is perhaps the most abundant and ubiquitous amphibian in the Yucat n Peninsula. On most any night during the rainy season, and in virtually every peninsular habitat, the distinctive wonk-wonk-wonk of calling males fills the air. Males typically call from shrubs, small trees, or at the edges of temporary bodies of water. Any temporary impoundment will suffice for breeding, including mud puddles, cattle tanks, and cisterns. Amplexus is axillary, and the females deposit masses of several hundred eggs as a film over the surface of the water. The larvae metamorphose into froglets averaging about 13 mm in snout-vent length (Duellman, 1970:598). At night, these frogs are often seen clinging to the sides of buildings near lights, and during and after rains they are often found on roads. During the day, and during the dry season, they seek refuge in bromeliads (H. M. Smith, 1941e:38), in the axils of aroids, beneath tree bark, and in various crevices and recesses in the substrate. These frogs feed on invertebrates, especially insects and spiders. Noble (1918:342) found grasshoppers in the stomachs of specimens from Nicaragua.

Life History References

3

Management Practices

References/ResultReference Numbers

References

1  Meerman, J., 1994. Summary of Herpetofauna Distributions in Belize.
   Report to National Protected Areas Management Project.

2  Miller, C.M., B.W. Miller. 1994. Preliminary Faunal Surveys at Tapir Mt.
   Nature Reserve, 27 Nov.- 5 Dec., 1994. Unpublished report for BAS.

3  Lee, Julian C. 1996.  The Amphibians and Reptiles of the Yucatan
   Peninsula.  Comstock Publishing Associates. Ithaca, New York.

4  Miller, C.M. 1996.  Natural history voucher photograph collection.