PALE-LEGGED DWARF FROG Physalaemus albonotatus
Frogs of the genus Physalaemus are widespread and common and are locally nicknamed "racing car frogs" on account of their strange songs which sound just like a racing car speeding past! Males croak whilst floating in shallow water, tilting backwards and forwards as they pound out their rhythm! They are burrowing frogs and possess a tubercle on the foot which acts as a sort of "spade". This species is extremely variable and similar to Cuvierīs Dwarf Frog and most reliably distinguished by the absence of red in the "groin" .
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - Adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ted Faust May 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2 - Same individual showing pale groin (Ted Faust May 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 3 - Adult dorsal view, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Flavia Netto September 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 4 - Adult ventral view pale-bellied, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ted Faust May 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 5 - Adult showing pale groin, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ted Faust May 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
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Physalaemus albonotatus call recorded near Loma Plata, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2007). Click the link to hear the calls.
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.
Photographs on this page were taken by Ted Faust and Flavia Netto  and are used with their permission.
Gallery 2: Colour variation in adult Physalaemus albonotatus
Like many Anurans skin colouration of this species is highly variable. Above are some examples of photochromatism found in this species.
FIGURE 2a - Dark adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ted Faust June 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2b - Reddish adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael  (Ted Faust June 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2c - Spot-throated adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ted Faust June 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
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