WEEPING DWARF FROG Physalaemus biligonigerus
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". The two black spots at the base of the legs are used as a defence against predators, the frogs raising up the hind parts so that they look like two eyes, hence the alternative name "False-eyed Frog". Note the shortened snout of this species, a useful identification character when separating from other members of the genus.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPANF97PH) Dark adult, Fortín Boquerón, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 2 - (FPANF98PH) Same individual dorsal view (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 3 - (FPANF99PH) Same individual flash colours (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 4 - (FPANF100PH) Same individual ventral view (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 5 - (FPANF101PH) Same individual forefoot (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 6 - (FPANF102PH) Same individual hindfoot (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 7 - (FPANF103PH) Pale adult lateral view, Laguna Capitán, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Paul Smith September 2006).
FIGURE 8 - (FPANF104PH) Dorsal view of same individual (Paul Smith September 2006).
FIGURE 9 - (FPANF105PH) Male singing, PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2009).
FIGURE 10 - (FPANF106PH) Juvenile, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Moriz Stiefel March 2008).
FIGURE 11 - (FPANF107PH) Juvenile, PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2006).
FIGURE 12 - (FPANF108PH) Same individual dorsal view (Paul Smith November 2008).
VIDEO - (FPANF109VI) Male singing and female, PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2009).
FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3

FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4

FIGURE 4
FIGURE 5

FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6

FIGURE 6
FIGURE 7

FIGURE 7
FIGURE 8

FIGURE 8
FIGURE 9

FIGURE 9
FIGURE 10

FIGURE 10
FIGURE 11

FIGURE 11
FIGURE 12

FIGURE 12
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 and Moriz Stiefel and is used with permission.
Physalaemus biligonijerus Click the links to hear the calls.
1 (FPANF110RE) Song Recorded Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2008)