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, Rebecca Zarza, Sergio Rios and José Luis Cartes and are used with their permission.
MUELLER´S NARROW-MOUTHED FROG Dermatonotus muelleri
This strange-looking frog has something of the Jabba the Hut about him. He is a subterranean species, with a small head and pointed snout typical of his family. Strangely it feeds almost entirely on ants and termites, being able to produce a skin secretion that hardens as a protection against their bites. This species is generally only encountered during the reproductive season when they emerge from their underground existence during rainy periods with the express purpose of finding a mate.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1a - (FPANF72PH) Adult dorsal, Jesudi, Departamento Boquerón (Rebecca Zarza January 2004).

FIGURE 1b - (FPANF387PH) Adult frontal, Jardín Botánico de Asunción, Departamento Central (Sergio Rios June 2010).
FIGURE 1c - (FPANF388PH) Same individual dorsal (Sergio Rios June 2010).
FIGURE 1d - (FPANF422PH) Adult lateral, Filadelfia, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith April 2011).
FIGURE 1e - (FPANF444PH) Adult lateral, Madrejón, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2011).
FIGURE 1f - (FPANF445PH) Same individual as (FPANF444PH) dorsal (Paul Smith July 2011).
FIGURE 1g - (FPANF446PH) Same individual as (FPANF444PH) ventral (Paul Smith July 2011).
FIGURE 1h - (FPANF704PH) Forefoot, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 1i - (FPANF705PH) Hindfoot, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
VIDEO - (FPANF447VI) Same individual as (FPANF444PH) (Paul Smith July 2011).
FIGURE 1a

FIGURE 1a
FIGURE 1b

FIGURE 1b
FIGURE 1c

FIGURE 1c
FIGURE 1d

FIGURE 1d
FIGURE 1e

FIGURE 1e
FIGURE 1f

FIGURE 1f
FIGURE 1g

FIGURE 1g
FIGURE 1h

FIGURE 1h
FIGURE 1i

FIGURE 1i
Dermatonotus muelleri Click the links to hear the calls.
1 (FPANF230RE) Call  recorded near Neuland, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2008).
2 (FPANF664RE) Song recorded PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2013). 
The chainsaw noise on this second cut is Dermatonotus. Also calling are Physalaemus biligonijerus and Trachycephalus typhonius.
Gallery 2: Defensive posture and froglet
This species inflates the body when threatened and may raise the rear of the body up with the hindlegs when doing so.
FIGURE 2a - (FPANF699PH) Subdult inflating, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 2b - (FPANF700PH) Subdult inflating and raising hindlegs, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 2c - (FPANF701PH) Subdult inflating and raising hindlegs, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 2d - (FPANF73PH) Adult fully inflated, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (José Luis Cartes October 2004).
FIGURE 2e - (FPANF702PH) Froglet lateral, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 2f - (FPANF703PH) Froglet dorsal, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 2a

FIGURE 2a
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FIGURE 2b
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FIGURE 2c
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FIGURE 2d
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FIGURE 2e
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FIGURE 2f