Reproduction in the Mexican Leaf Frog, Pachymedusa dacnicolor

Abstract

The Mexican leaf frog (Pachymedusa dacnicolor) is a neotropical resident of the thorn scrub vegetation found along the coast of western Mexico. It has a remarkable ability to withstand high temperatures and aridity, yet it has evolved a reproductive biology consistent with a- more humid ambiance. In fact, its reproductive strategy involves the deposition of eggs on vegetation outside the water, therefore, its success entails the prerequisite of very high humidity. This mode of reproduction fundamentally requires a perception of specific environmental cues, notably temperature and humidity. The Mexican leaf frog is readily available from Delta Biological Supply (Tucson, Arizona) which captures adults in the wild near Los Mochis, Sonora, Mexico. For this reason, and because of the ease in handling in captivity and the ability to alter its reproductive activities in response to the manipulation of temperature and humidity, much has been learned about its reproductive biology (Bagnara et al. 1986; Bagnara 1990). Very likely, this knowledge will be useful in understanding the reproductive biology of other species of phyllomedusine frogs which are significant representatives of the herpetofauna of Central and South America. This chapter provides an account of what is known about the reproductive biology of the Mexican leaf frog, P. dacnicolor.