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Smilisca phaeota

Masked Tree Frog

Cope, 1862

Detailed Texts Multi-lang

A medium-sized frog with smooth skin. Its most notable feature is a dark stripe that traverses the cephalic region, hiding the eye and extending towards the flanks. Its dorsum varies from brown to olive green tones, allowing for excellent mimicry with the forest environment.

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Last modified by

Julia Trouin

Taxonomy

PhylumChordata

ClassAmphibia

OrderAnura

FamilyHylidae

GenusSmilisca

Taxonomic AuthorityCope, 1862

Ecology & Status

Origin

Native

Population Trend

Stable

Breeding Season

Year Round

Trophic Role

Insectivore

Recent Sightings

Yes

Habitat Summary Multi-lang

Inhabits mainly the understory of humid jungles, lowland forests, and disturbed areas near water bodies. It is an arboreal species usually found in low vegetation or near temporary ponds.

Behaviour Multi-lang

Nocturnal and active species. It moves with great dexterity among the low foliage and branches, using its adhesive disks to hold firmly to the leaves even in heavy rain conditions.

Social Activity Multi-lang

Solitary, except during the breeding season. Males are quite territorial and establish calling sites near temporary ponds to attract females.

Feeding Guild Multi-lang

Ambush predator. Remains motionless waiting for potential prey to approach, then captures it with a quick and precise movement of its protractile tongue.

Trophic Chain Details Multi-lang

Generalist insectivore. It captures a wide variety of arboreal invertebrates, especially small flying insects and arachnids, detecting them through subtle movements in the vegetation.

Reproductive Behaviour Multi-lang

Oviparous. Deposits egg masses in temporary water bodies or ponds. Larval development is aquatic and relatively fast, adapted to the temporality of its breeding sites.

Physical Measures

Length (cm)

4.5 - 6.5 cm

Weight (Grams)

10 g - 30 g

Offspring per cycle100 - 500

Sexual DimorphismYes

Lifespan

Sexual Maturity

1 - 2 Years

Gestation / Incubation

1 - 2

Lifespan Estimated

Males3 - 5 Years

Females3 - 5 Years

Sexual Dimorphism

Males Multi-lang

Males are slightly smaller, with a distinctive and developed subgular vocal sac, vital for the power and frequency of its territorial calls.

Females Multi-lang

Females are larger and have a more voluminous body structure, necessary for the development of the egg clutch before the breeding season.

Evolutionary Adaptations Multi-lang

Facial Mimicry: The dark mask breaks the silhouette of its eye, a key evolutionary trait to go unnoticed by visual predators while resting on trunks.

Main Threats Multi-lang

Forest fragmentation: Being a species that depends on stratified vegetation near water sources, local deforestation severely impacts its dispersal capacity.

Interesting Facts Multi-lang

Vocal Behavior: Males emit a call reminiscent of a short and deep bark, which allows them to coordinate complex reproductive choruses during the wettest nights.