Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page was provided by Paul Smith, Chris Elder, Pier Caccialli Mike Hamer, Christoph Liedtke and Alberto Esquivel and is used with their permission.
PURPLE-BARRED TREE-FROG Hypsiboas raniceps
This slender, almost skeletal tree-frog is commonly encountered in some parts of the country, and is often found around human dwellings. Though like many frogs he is able to change colour (polychromatic), his name comes from the diagnostic purple-barred thighs or "flash-colours" that are used in display and to momentarily confuse potential predators. It is one of the largest and most common arboreal frogs, reaching up to 7cm in length.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
Gallery 1 Adult Hypsiboas raniceps
FIGURE 1a - (FPANF271PH) Lateral view of yellow variegated adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 1b - (FPANF272PH) Dorsal view of pale brown adult,  PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 1c - (FPANF273PH) Head of yellow adult,  PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel November 2007).
FIGURE 1d - (FPANF274PH) Flash colours of yellow adult,  PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel November 2007).
FIGURE 1e - (FPANF275PH) Ventral view of adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 1f - (FPANF722PH) Forefoot adult,  PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith March 2015).
FIGURE 1g - (FPANF723PH) Hindfoot of same individual as (FPANF274PH) (Paul Smith March 2015).
Hypsiboas raniceps  Click the links to hear the calls.
1 (FPANF284RE) Call  recorded near Loma Plata, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith November 2007).
Gallery 2: Colour variation in adult Hypsiboas raniceps
Like many Anurans skin colouration of this species is highly variable. Above are some examples of photochromatism found in this species.
FIGURE 2a - (FPANF276PH) Yellow adult, near Filadelfia, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Mike Hamer 1983).
FIGURE 2b - (FPANF277PH) Dark brown adult, near Filadelfia, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Mike Hamer 1983).
FIGURE 2c - (FPANF278PH) White adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Pier Caccialli March 2008).
FIGURE 2d - (FPANF279PH) Pale brown adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 2e - (FPANF280PH) Yellow variegated adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Chris Elder November 2007).
FIGURE 2f - (FPANF281PH) Brown variegated adult, Bahía Negra, Departamento Alto Paraguay (Paul Smith September 2006).
FIGURE 2g - (FPANF282PH) White marbled adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Christoph Liedtke December 2008).
FIGURE 2h - (FPANF574PH) Leopard adult lateral, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith September 2012).
FIGURE 2i - (FPANF575PH) Same individual as (FPANF574PH) dorsal (Paul Smith September 2012).
FIGURE 2j - (FPANF576PH) Buff adult, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith September 2012).
FIGURE 2k - (FPANF577PH) Grey marbled adult lateral, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith September 2012).
FIGURE 2l - (FPANF578PH) Same individual as (FPANF577PH) dorsal (Paul Smith September 2012).
VIDEO A - (FPANF554VI) Adult male singing,  PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith December 2011).
VIDEO B - (FPANF283VI) Adult male singing,  PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
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