Part 9

Diagnosis.--Vomerine teeth 5-11; dorsum dark brown; white spot below eye; eye red in life.

Description.--The following description is based on KU 58043 from Finca La Paz, Depto. San Marcos, Guatemala (Pl. 16). Adult male having snout-vent length of 31.6 mm.; tibia length, 15.0 mm.; tibia length/snout-vent length, 47.5 per cent; foot length, 12.5 mm.; head length, 10.2 mm.; head length/snout-vent length, 32.3 per cent; head width, 9.9 mm.; head width/snout-vent length, 31.3 per cent; diameter of eye, 3.4 mm.; diameter of tympanum, 1.8 mm.; tympanum/eye, 52.9 per cent. Snout in lateral profile nearly square, slightly rounded above and below, and in dorsal profile bluntly squared; canthus pronounced; loreal region concave; lips thick, rounded, and flaring; nostrils protuberant; internarial distance, 2.2 mm.; internarial region depressed; top of head flat; interorbital distance, 3.4 mm., much greater than width of eyelid, 2.5 mm. Thin dermal fold from posterior corner of eye above tympanum to insertion of forelimb, covering upper edge of tympanum; tympanum round, its diameter equal to its distance from eye. Forearm slender, lacking distinct dermal fold on wrist; row of low rounded tubercles along ventrolateral edge of forearm; pollex slightly enlarged; no nuptial spines; second and fourth fingers about equal in length; subarticular tubercles small and round, distal one beneath fourth finger bifid; discs small, that of third finger noticeably smaller than tympanum; no web between first and second fingers; vestige of web between other fingers. Heels overlap when hind limbs adpressed; tibiotarsal articulation reaches to middle of eye; no tarsal fold; inner metatarsal tubercle large, flat, and elliptical; outer metatarsal tubercle small, ovoid, slightly more distal than inner; subarticular tubercles round; length of digits from shortest to longest 1-2-5-3-4; third and fifth toes webbed to base of discs; fourth toe webbed to base of penultimate phalanx; discs of toes smaller than on fingers. Anal opening directed posteriorly at upper edge of thighs; no anal flap; pair of large tubercles below anal opening and smaller tubercles farther below. Skin of dorsum and ventral surfaces of forelimbs and shanks smooth; that of belly and ventral surfaces of thighs granular. Ventrolateral glands well developed, reaching axilla and groin and narrowly separated on chest. Tongue ovoid, emarginate posteriorly, and only slightly free behind; vomerine teeth 3-3, situated on small triangular elevations between ovid inner nares; openings to vocal sac large, one situated along inner posterior edge of each mandibular ramus.

Dorsum of head, body, and limbs reddish brown with indistinct, irregular darker brown markings on body and dark brown transverse bands or spots on limbs; first and second fingers creamy white; third and fourth fingers brown; dorsal surfaces of tarsi and third, fourth, and fifth toes tan with brown spots; first and second toes and webbing on feet creamy tan; enamel-white stripe along edge of upper lip continuing over, and on posterior edge of, forearm to groin, expanded to form spot below eye; belly white, unspotted; ventrolateral glands pale brown; ventral surfaces of hind limbs and anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs cream color; enamel-white stripe on heel; creamy white stripe along ventrolateral edges of tarsi and forearms.

In life dorsum reddish brown (Terra Cotta) with dark brown (Burnt Umber) markings; first and second fingers and first and second toes orange-yellow (Light Orange-Yellow); posterior surfaces of thighs pale reddish tan (Ochraceous-Salmon); webbing on feet yellowish tan (Deep Colonial Buff); belly white; iris red (Nopal Red).

Variation.--Little variation in structural characters was observed. All but five specimens have bifid subarticular tubercles beneath the fourth finger. Three specimens have cordiform tongues, and in four others the tongue is ovoid and shallowly notched behind; all other specimens have an emarginate ovoid tongue.

Some individuals when active at night had a pale brown (Ochraceous-Tawny) dorsum with dull olive green (Dark Olive Buff) markings. Otherwise there was no noticeable variation in color.

Description of tadpole.--The following description is based on KU 60051 from Finca La Paz, Depto. San Marcos, Guatemala (Figs. 5A and 6E). Small hind limbs; total length, 37.9 mm.; body length, 11.6 mm.; body length/total length, 30.6 per cent. Body only slightly depressed, nearly as deep as wide, in dorsal profile ovoid, widest just posterior to eyes; in lateral profile snout rounded; mouth directed ventrally; eyes small, directed dorsolaterally; nostrils barely protuberant, directed anteriorly, somewhat closer to eye than snout; spiracle sinistral and posteroventrad to eye; anal tube dextral. Tail long and slender; caudal fin low and rounded posteriorly; depth of caudal musculature one-half greatest depth of caudal fin; musculature not extending to tip of tail.

Mouth large; thin fleshy lips greatly expanded and forming large funnel-shaped disc; width of mouth two-thirds greatest width of body; outer edge of lips having one row of small papillae; inner surfaces of mouth smooth; scattered large papillae forming one nearly complete row around teeth; other large papillae laterally; beaks moderately developed, bearing long, pointed denticulations; no lateral projections on upper beak; tooth-rows 3/3, all short; second and third upper rows subequal in length; first upper row shorter; first and third upper rows interrupted medially; first lower row interrupted medially, equal in length to second and third upper rows; second lower row slightly shorter; third lower row shortest.

Body mottled brown and creamy gray above and below; mouth colored like body; caudal musculature creamy tan; caudal fin transparent; dark brown streak mid-laterally on anterior third of caudal musculature; rest of tail and all of caudal fin heavily flecked with brown; eye red in life.

Variation.--The third upper tooth-row is interrupted in all specimens; in some individuals the first upper and first lower rows are complete. The variation in size and proportions is given in Table 2. The dark brown lateral streak on the anterior part of the caudal musculature is distinct on most specimens; the only other variation in coloration is in the amount of brown flecking on the caudal musculature and fin.

Comparisons.--Ptychohyla schmidtorum schmidtorum differs from P. schmidtorum chamulae as stated in the diagnosis and in having pale creamy tan, as opposed to dark brown, webbing on the feet; and from P. ignicolor in having a depressed, as opposed to a flat, internarial region. Tadpoles of P. s. schmidtorum have a mottled appearance, as opposed to the more uniform brown color of P. s. chamulae.

Ptychohyla schmidtorum schmidtorum and several species of Plectrohyla are sympatric. All species of the latter genus have a bony prepollex, rugose skin on the dorsum, and heavy body; also sympatric is Ptychohyla e. euthysanota, which has a tarsal fold and in breeding males spinous nuptial tuberosities.

Life History.--This species breeds in clear mountain streams where males call from vegetation along the stream. The call consists of series of short notes, three to nine notes per series, sounding like "raa-raa-raa." The duration of each note is approximately .065 of a second, and has a rate of 96 to 119 pulses per second; the dominant frequency is about 3400 cycles per second. The call is almost indistinguishable from that of Ptychohyla schmidtorum chamulae.

Tadpoles and metamorphosing young were found at Finca La Paz, Guatemala, in late July, 1960. Two young lacking tails but not having completely developed mouths have snout-vent lengths of 14.2 and 14.6 mm. L. C. Stuart collected four metamorphosing young at Finca La Paz on May 6, 1949. By May 10 the frogs were completely metamorphosed, at which time they had snout-vent lengths of 15.5 to 17.0 (average 16.1) mm.

Remarks.--There is no doubt that this frog is most closely related to Ptychohyla schmidtorum chamulae, even though the ranges of the two subspecies are separated by the interior depression of Chiapas. Since at least at Finca La Paz, Guatemala, P. s. schmidtorum occurs with P. e. euthysanota, it is surprising that the former species has not been found at more localities along the Pacific slopes on northern Central America. At Finca La Paz in July, 1960, P. s. schmidtorum was more abundant than P. e. euthysanota.

Distribution.--This species is known only from a limited area at elevations between 1300 and 2200 meters on the Pacific slopes of the Sierra Madre in extreme eastern Chiapas and western Guatemala.

Specimens examined.--MEXICO: Chiapas: Finca Irlandia, UMMZ 105429-30.

GUATEMALA: San Marcos: El Porvenir, CNHM 20755, 20761, 69904, UMMZ 80918; Finca La Paz, 2 km. W of La Reforma, KU 58016-44, 59940-2 (skeletons), 60050 (3 young), 60051 (tadpoles), 60052 (4 young), MCZ 34998-9, UMMZ 123144-7 (tadpoles).

=Ptychohyla schmidtorum chamulae= Duellman

Ptychohyla chamulae Duellman, Univ. Kansas Publ. Mus. Nat. Hist., 13: 354-357, pl. 25, fig. 2, April 27, 1961 [Holotype.--KU 58063 from 6.2 kilometers south of Rayon Mescalapa, Chiapas, Mexico; William E. Duellman collector].

Diagnosis.--Vomerine teeth 4-6; dorsum bright green; white lateral stripe; eye reddish bronze in life.

Description.--The following description is based on KU 58069 from 6.2 kilometers south of Rayon Mescalapa, Chiapas, Mexico (Pl. 17). Adult male having a snout-vent length of 27.6 mm.; tibia length, 13.0 mm.; tibia length/snout-vent length, 47.1 per cent; foot length, 10.8 mm.; head length, 9.6 mm.; head length/snout-vent length, 34.7 per cent; head width, 9.2 mm.; head width/snout-vent length, 33.1 per cent; diameter of eye, 3.0 mm.; diameter of tympanum, 1.6 mm.; tympanum/eye, 53.3 per cent. Snout in lateral profile nearly square, slightly rounded above and below, and in dorsal profile blunt, almost square; canthus pronounced; loreal region concave; lips thick, rounded and flaring; nostrils protuberant; internarial distance, 2.5 mm.; internarial region slightly depressed; top of head flat; interorbital distance, 3.3 mm., much greater than width of eyelid, 2.5 mm. Thin dermal fold, from posterior corner of eye above tympanum to insertion of fore limb, covering upper edge of tympanum; tympanum nearly round, its diameter equal to its distance from eye. Forearm slender, lacking distinct fold on wrist; row of low, rounded tubercles on ventrolateral surface of forearm; pollex slightly enlarged, without nuptial spines; second and fourth fingers equal in length; subarticular tubercles round, that under fourth finger bifid; discs small, that of third finger noticeably smaller than tympanum; no web between first and second fingers; vestige of web between other fingers. Heels overlapping when hind limbs adpressed; tibiotarsal articulation reaches to middle of eye; no tarsal fold; inner metatarsal tubercle large, flat, and elliptical; outer metatarsal tubercle small, elliptical, slightly more distal than inner; subarticular tubercles round; length of digits from shortest to longest 1-2-5-3-4; third and fifth toes webbed to base of disc; fourth toe webbed to base of penultimate phalanx; discs smaller on toes than on fingers. Anal opening directed posteriorly at upper edge of thighs; no anal flap; pair of large tubercles below anal opening. Skin of dorsum and of ventral surfaces of forelimbs and shanks smooth; that of throat, belly, and ventral surfaces of thighs granular. Ventrolateral glands well developed, not reaching axilla or groin and broadly separated midventrally. Tongue cordiform, shallowly notched behind and only slightly free posteriorly; vomerine teeth 2-3, situated on small triangular elevations between ovoid inner nares; openings to vocal sac large, one situated along inner posterior edge of each mandibular ramus.

Dorsum of head, body and limbs reddish brown with dark purplish brown markings on back and shanks; first finger creamy tan; other fingers pale brown; dorsal surfaces of tarsi, third, fourth, and fifth toes dull tan with brown spots; first and second toes creamy tan; webbing on feet brown; anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs tan; faint creamy white stripe along ventrolateral edges of tarsi and forearms; enamel-white stripe on heel; axilla and groin gray; enamel-white stripe on edge of upper lip, continuing onto proximal upper surfaces of forelimb and on flanks to groin, widened under eye to form large spot, and bordered below on flanks by dark brown stripe; white stripe above and white spots below anal opening; throat and chest white; belly and ventral surfaces of limbs cream color; brown dash on either side of chin and brown spot on throat near angle of jaws; few brown flecks on belly; ventrolateral glands orange-tan; ventral surfaces of tarsi and feet brown.

In life, dorsal surfaces of head, body, and limbs bright green (Shamrock Green); first and second fingers pale orange (Apricot Yellow); stripe on upper lip and spot below eye enamel-white; stripe on flanks silvery white, bordered below by brown (Saccardo's Umber) brown; anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs yellowish brown (Old Gold); webbing of feet dull brown (Brownish Olive); belly deep yellow (Amber Yellow); iris reddish bronze (English Red).

Variation.--Tubercles beneath the fourth fingers are bifid in 20 specimens and rounded in all others. The tongue is emarginate in 12 specimens and cordiform in all others. In most specimens the white stripe on the upper lip continues onto the flanks and to the groin; in five specimens the stripe terminates above the forearm, and in three it terminates at mid-flank. The lateral stripe is absent in two specimens. All specimens were uniform green above when found at night; later some changed to pale green (Light Oriental Green) on the dorsum with irregular yellowish tan (Naples Yellow) blotches. Most males have brown flecks on the throat and ventrolateral gland, but some specimens are immaculate below, and one has dark brown mottling on the throat. Several males have a round, orange-tan glandular area on the chin, as does P. ignicolor.

Description of tadpole.--The following description is based on KU 58199 from 6.2 kilometers south of Rayon Mescalapa, Chiapas, Mexico (Figs. 5B and 6F). Hind limbs small; total length, 39.0 mm.; body length, 10.5 mm.; body length/total length, 26.9 per cent. Body barely depressed, only slightly wider than deep, widest just posterior to eyes; in dorsal profile ovoid; mouth directed ventrally; eyes small, directed dorsolaterally; nostrils barely protuberant, directed anterodorsally, slightly closer to eye than snout; spiracle sinistral and posteroventrad to eye; anal tube dextral. Tail long and slender; caudal fin low, rounded posteriorly; depth of caudal musculature one-half greatest depth of caudal fin; musculature not extending to tip of tail.

Mouth large; thin fleshy lips greatly expanded and forming funnel-shaped disc; outer edge of lips having one row of small papillae; inner surfaces of mouth smooth; scattered large papillae forming nearly one complete row around teeth; other papillae laterally; beaks moderately developed, bearing long, pointed denticulations; no lateral projections on upper beak; tooth-rows 3/3, all short; second and third upper rows subequal in length; first upper row shorter; first and third upper rows interrupted medially; first lower row interrupted medially, equal in length to second and third upper rows; second lower row slightly shorter; third lower row shortest.

Body dark brown above and dark gray below; fleshy part of mouth creamy gray mottled with dark brown; caudal musculature pale tan with heavy suffusion of brown flecks; caudal fin transparent with brown spots; dark brown streak mid-laterally on anterior one-fifth of caudal musculature, bordered below by cream-colored spot; eye brown in life.