| Species ID | 020460 |
| Name | Vaillant's frog |
| Other Common Names | Rainforest Frog |
| Category | 02 Amphibians |
| Phylum | |
| Subphylum | |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Subclass | |
| Suborder | |
| Family | Ranidae |
| Genus | Rana |
| Species | vaillanti |
| Subspecies | |
| References | 2 |
| Scientific Synonyms | R. palmipes - Hillis and de Sa (1988) |
4* In much of the literature, this frog was known as Rana palmipes, a species now considered to be restricted to South America. The type locality for R. vaillanti is thought to be the Mullins River in Belize. 2* This species was long know as R. palmipes, but Hillis and de Sa (1988) showed that the name properly applies to frogs of the R. palmipes complex that occur in northern South America east of the Andes, and that R. vaillanti applies to the populations from southern Mexico, Central America, and the Pacific slope of Ecuador and Colombia. Hillis and de Sa (1988) reviewed the biosystematics of R. vaillanti as part of their revision of the R. palmipes group.
| 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 |
| Caracol Archaeological Reserve | Photographed | Unknown, insufficient data | July | 3 |
| Government land | 1 | |||
| Freshwater Creek Forest Reserve | 1 | |||
| Rio Bravo Conservation Area | 1 | |||
| Gallon Jug | 1 | |||
| Xunantunich Archaeological Reserve | 1 | |||
| Hidden Valley & Falls (Bull Run) | 1 | |||
| Slate Creek Preserve | 1 | |||
| Manatee Forest Reserve | 1 | |||
| Chiquibul Forest Reserve | 1 | |||
| Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve | 1 | |||
| Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary | 1 | |||
| Columbia River Forest Reserve | 1 | |||
| Deep River Forest Reserve | 1 |
| Hydrologic Unit Distribution | References |
| Mullins River | 4 |
| ELEVATION Association | References |
| 401-600 m | 3 |
| QUAD Distribution | References |
| 16 45' to 17 00'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 3 |
| 17 30' to 17 45'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 1 |
| 17 30' to 17 45'; 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 |
| 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'; 88 45' to 89 00' | 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'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 1 |
| 16 15' to 16 30'; 88 45' to 89 00' | 1 |
| 16 15' to 16 30'; 88 30' to 88 45' | 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 | 3 |
Comments on Distribution
4* Countrywide from near sea level to at least 2,000 ft (667m) in elevation. The type locality for R. vaillanti is thought to be the Mullins River in Belize. 3* Miller, C.M. (1988). Natural history voucher photograph collection, Caracol Arch. Reserve.
| Pictures | |
| Trophic |
| CARNIVORE |
References on Trophic Level
2
Comments on General Food Habits
2* These frogs feed primarily on invertebrates, but their large size allows them to consume small vertebrates, including fish and small conspecifics (Noble, 1918:317).
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
| General | 2 |
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
Life History Narrative
2* In the Yucat n Peninsula this common species lives primarily in humid lowland forests, generally in association with lakes, aguadas, woodland pools, and the slower-moving stretches of streams and rivers. Individuals have also been found at night on the forest floor. These frogs feed primarily on invertebrates, but their large size allows them to consume small vertebrates, including fish and small conspecifics (Noble, 1918:317). Males call from the water's edge or surface throughout the summer rainy season. Amplexus is axillary, and eggs are deposited in the water. Duellman (1963:229) found a recently metamorphosed specimen in El Pet‚n on 24 June. 4* As its common name indicates, this species is often associated with the forested areas, where it is never found far from streams or forest pools. It is known from the Evergreen Broadleaf Forest, Semi-evergreen Seasonal Forest, Karst Hills Forest, Interior Wetlands, Savanna, and Mountain Pine Ridge formations. In the latter two formations, it is only found along permanent streams. Although this frog is primarily nocturnal, it may be encountered during the daytime resting around the margin of forest pools and streams. The call has been described as "chuckling" or "grunts." Breeding probably takes place throughout the year, especially in the wetter southern part of the country. Eggs are deposited in forest pools or still sections of streams, where tadpoles undergo development for several months. Breeding probably takes place throughout the year, especially in the wetter southern part of the country. Eggs are deposited in forest pools or still sections of streams, where tadpoles undergo development for several months. The type locality for R. vaillanti is thought to be the Mullins River in Belize.
Life History References
2, 4
| References/Result | Reference Numbers |
1 Meerman, J., 1994. Summary of Herpetofauna Distributions in Belize. Report to National Protected Areas Management Project. 2 Lee, Julian C. 1996. The Amphibians and Reptiles of the Yucat n Peninsula. Comstock Publishing Associates. Ithaca, New York. 3 Miller, C.M. 1988. Natural history voucher photograph collection. 4 Meyer, J.R. and C.F. Foster. 1996. A Guide to the Frogs and Toads of Belize. pp. 72-73.