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 Paul Smith, David Gill, Pier Cacciali, Leila K,
Ted Faust, Chris Elder, Flavia Netto and Alberto Esquivel and are used with their permission.
CUVIERīS DWARF FROG Physalaemus cuvieri
This is the only Paraguayan Physalaemus which does not give the "racing car" song typical of other Paraguayan members of the genus! Males give a throaty 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 most easily recognised by its red "groin" but is otherwise extremely similar to the Pale-legged Dwarf Frog .
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1a - Adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1b - Same individual (Chris Elder November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1c - Same individual frontal view (Chris Elder November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1d - Adult with strong omega-pattern, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ted Faust May 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1e - Adult flash colours, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Chris Elder November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1f - Same individual ventral view (Chris Elder November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1g - Same individual showing red groin (Chris Elder November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1h - Reddish adult showing red groin (Ted Faust May 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1i - Adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (David Gill March 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1j - Forefoot, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Leila K August 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1k - Hind foot, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Flavia Netto September 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1l - Larval stages, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (David Gill March 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
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FIGURE 1g

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FIGURE 1i

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FIGURE 1j

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FIGURE 1l
Gallery 2: Colour variation in adult Physalaemus cuvieri
Like many Anurans skin colouration of this species is highly variable. Above are some examples of photochromatism found in this species.
FIGURE 2a - Adult with yellow groin spot, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Flavia Netto September 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2b - Green-backed adult, Estancia Kanguery, PN San Rafael (Pier Cacciali undated - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2c - Dark-bellied adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael  (Flavia Netto September 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2d - Adult with pronounced omega pattern, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ted Faust May 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2e - Striped adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael  (Flavia Netto September 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
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