Taxonomy

Species ID	020110
Name	Rugulose rainfrog
Other Common Names
Category	02 Amphibians
Phylum
Subphylum
Class	Amphibia
Subclass
Suborder
Family	Leptodactylidae
Genus	Eleutherodactylus
Species	rugulosus
Subspecies
References	3
Scientific Synonyms	Liyla rugulosa, Cope, 1870

Comments

3* Savage (1975) noted that populations from lower Central America were distinct from Mexican and Central American populations, but he declined to accord them formal nomenclatural recognition. No subspecies are currently recognized. The biosystematics of the E. rugulosus group in Mexico and northern Central America was reviewed by Lynch in 1965, and Savage (1975) later reviewed the group throughout its geographical range. Miyamoto (1983) evaluated cladistic relationships within and among members of the group using morphological, biochemical, and karyological data. Despite the attention that the E. rugulosus group has received from systematists, there is at least one undescribed species of rugulosus-like frog in Belize, and the status of several nominal forms is uncertain. Ultimately, as many as three species of rugulosus-group frogs may be shown to occur in Belize and neighboring El Pet‚n, none of which may be E. rugulosus. Jonathan A. Campbell and Jay M. Savage are studying the problem at the time of this writing.

Distribution

DISTRICT	References
Belize, Belize	1
Cayo, Belize	2
Orange Walk, Belize	2
Stann Creek, Belize	2
Toledo, Belize	2

Administrative Unit	Occurrence	Abundance	Temporal	References
Hidden Valley & Falls (Bull Run)				1
Private land, see comments			Dry season (Jan-May)	1
Gallon Jug				1
Government land				1
Manatee Forest Reserve				1
Chiquibul Forest Reserve				1
Bladen Nature Reserve				1
Columbia River Forest Reserve				1

QUAD Distribution	References
17 30' to 17 45'; 89 00' to 89 15'	11
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 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'; 89 00' to 89 15'	1

Comments on Distribution

3* This wide-ranging species occurs at low to moderate elevations
   (to 1,200 m) from southern San Luis Potos¡ on the Atlantic slope and
   central Guerrero on the Pacific slope, east and southward through
   Central America to western Panama. It is found throughout the base of
   the Yucatan Peninsula from the vicinity of Palenque, Chiapas, to central
   Belize.

Habitat Associations

Food Habits

Comments on General Food Habits

3* The diet cnsists primarily of invertebrates, especially insects.

References/Lifestage	Reference Numbers
General	3

Environmental Associations

References/Lifestage	Reference Numbers

Life History

Life History Narrative

This common rain frog prefers rocky streams, particularly in forested areas. Individuals may be found at night perched on rocks in and adjacent to the water, as well as on the forest floor nearby. I have occasionally found juveniles perching low on vegetation near water. Although this frog seems to be generally nocturnal, Duellman (1963:223) found it on the forest floor by day in southern El Pet‚n. The diet consists primarily of invertebrates, especially insects. Noble (1918:328) found grasshoppers among the stomach contents of specimens from Nicaragua. Eleutherodactylus rugulosus is oviparous. Large females collected in Guerrero in mid-June by W. B. Davis and Dixon (1964:227) bore large-yolked eggs. The eggs are laid in moist, terrestrial situations and undergo direct development.

Life History References

3

Management Practices

References/Result	Reference Numbers

References

1  Matola, S., 1990. The Dolores Expedition, January 27 - February 3, 1990.
   Unpublished report.

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

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