Leptodactylus natalensis Lutz 1930

Leptodactylus natalensis Lutz, 1930

Leptodactylus natalensis Lutz, 1930:7, plate I: figs. 7, 7a; plate III: figs. 1, 2 [type locality: (Brazil) Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Baldo e outros lugares (Portuguese text. p. 7), Rio Bahú and other places near Natal (Rio Grande do Norte) (English text. p. 26); lectotype USNM 81130. adult male].

DIAGNOSIS.—Leptodactylus natalensis occurs along coastal Brazil from the State of Rio Grande do Norte to the State of Rio de Janeiro. The only other Leptodactylus (other than L. ocellatus and its closest relatives) that occurs in the same general region (but more interiorly) is podicipinus. No L. natalensis individuals have distinct light belly spots; many podicipinus individuals do. Just over half of L. natalensis specimens have toe tips larger than the narrow or just-swollen categories; all podicipinus have either narrow or just-swollen toe tips.

ADULT CHARACTERISTICS (N = 50 females, 56 males).—Light posterior lip stripe distinct in some individuals (9%), usually indistinct (56%), and often not discernible (34%), when discernible, stripes extending from posterior corner of eye; light posterior thigh stripes rarely distinct (5%), sometimes indistinct (16%), usually not discernible (79%); dorsolateral folds (apparently) rarely absent (2%), usually either short (46%) or moderate length (53%); toe tips narrow (13%), just swollen (31%), swollen (28%), just expanded (22%), or expanded (6%); male black thumb spines sometimes small/medium size (12%), usually medium size (79%), sometimes medium/large (9%); chin/throat usually with light spots on a darker field (62%); belly rarely lacking pattern (1%), occasionally lightly mottled (7%), usually moderately mottled (52%) or extensively mottled (40%).

Females 33.1–48.9 mm SVL (x¯ =39.9 ±4.5), males 28.7–42.1 mm SVL (x = 34.5 ± 2.7); female head length 33%–41% SVL (x = 37 ± 2%), male head length 35%-42% SVL (x = 38 ± 1%); female head width 30%–38% SVL (x = 34 ±2%), male head width 33%–39% SVL (x =36±1%); female tympanum diameter 6%-9% SVL (x = 8 ± 0%), male tympanum diameter 7%–9% SVL (x = 8 ± 0%); female thigh length 38%–48% SVL (x = 43 ± 2%), male thigh length 39%–49% SVL (x = 44 ± 2%); female shank length 41%–51% SVL (x =45 ±2%), male shank length 41%–48% SVL (x = 46 ± 2%); female foot length 46%–57% SVL (x = 53 ± 2%), male foot length 44%–58% SVL (x = 53 ± 3%).

LARVAL CHARACTERISTICS.—Unknown.

ADVERTISEMENT CALL.—Unknown.

KARYOTYPE.—Diploid number 22, 3 pair median, 2 pair submedian, 3 pair subterminal, 3 pair terminal; secondary constriction in chromosome pair 11 (Bogart, 1974; specimens from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION.—Geographic variation was discussed above in the section describing variation in “Region 2—East Coast Brazil” for the Small-Moderate Size OTU.

DISTRIBUTION.—Coastal Brazil from the State of Rio Grande do Norte to the vicinity around Rio de Janeiro (Figure 39; Appendix 2).

Leptodactylus natalensis is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is endemic to Brazil where it is found on the eastern coast. Leptodactylus natalensis is a very common species. It lives in muddy places at secondary lowland forests, shrubby vegetation, and wet cow pastures near forest, but not in primary forest. Breed takes place in temporary ponds.

Male Leptodactylus natalensis grow to a snout–vent length of 29–42 mm (1.1–1.7 in) and females to 33–49 mm (1.3–1.9 in).