FIGURE 1a

FIGURE 1a
FIGURE 1b

FIGURE 1b
FIGURE 1c

FIGURE 1c
FIGURE 1d

FIGURE 1d
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, Sergio Rios and Sigrid Drechsel and is used with permission.
LA PLATA PARADOX FROG Pseudis platensis
A green, largely aquatic frog with greatly developed hindlimbs which act like oars to row the animal through its marshy habitat. Despite its unusual appearance, you might be surprised to hear that it is not the most interesting aspect of the frog´s biology. Its common name makes reference to the fact that the tadpoles (at some 15cm in length) are more than twice the size of the adult animal, a paradox that led early biologists to conclude incorrectly that it was the adults that metamorphosed into tadpoles and not the other way around!!! Two subspecies occur in Paraguay.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
Gallery 1a Pseudis platensis platensis
The nominate subspecies is said to show some dark spotting on the dorsum and bold ventral markings.
FIGURE 1a - (FPANF475PH) Adult ssp. platensis dorsal, Estancia Cerrito, Departamento Alto Paraguay (Sergio Rios July 2011).
FIGURE 1b - (FPANF476PH) Same individual as (FPANF475PH) ventral (Sergio Rios July 2011).
FIGURE 1c - (FPANF348PH) Adult ssp. platensis ?? dorsal view, location unknown (Sigrid Drechsel www.pybio.org).
FIGURE 1d - (FPANF349PH) Same individual as (FPANF348PH) head detail (Sigrid Drechsel www.pybio.org).
FIGURE 2a

FIGURE 2a
FIGURE 2b

FIGURE 2b
FIGURE 2c

FIGURE 2c
FIGURE 2d

FIGURE 2d
FIGURE 2e

FIGURE 2e
FIGURE 2f

FIGURE 2f
FIGURE 2g

FIGURE 2g
FIGURE 2h

FIGURE 2h
FIGURE 2i

FIGURE 2i
FIGURE 2j

FIGURE 2j
FIGURE 2k

FIGURE 2k
FIGURE 2l

FIGURE 2l
FIGURE 2m

FIGURE 2m
FIGURE 2n

FIGURE 2n
FIGURE 2o

FIGURE 2o
Gallery 2 Pseudis platensis occidentalis
The individuals in this gallery from Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón fit the description of the subspecies occidentalis in being unspotted dorsally and ventrally with poorly-defined ventral thigh patternation. A green form, a dark form and a light form found at the same locality are compared here.
FIGURE 2a (FPANF603PH) Dark adult lateral, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2b (FPANF604PH) Same individual as (FPANF603PH) in water (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2c (FPANF605PH) Same individual as (FPANF603PH) dorsal (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2d (FPANF606PH) Same individual as (FPANF603PH) frontal (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2e (FPANF607PH) Same individual as (FPANF603PH) ventral (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2f (FPANF608PH) Same individual as (FPANF603PH) flash colours (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2g (FPANF609PH) Light adult lateral, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2h (FPANF610PH) Same individual as (FPANF609PH) in water (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2i (FPANF611PH) Same individual as (FPANF609PH) dorsal (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2j (FPANF612PH) Same individual as (FPANF609PH) ventral (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2k (FPANF613PH) Comparison of dark and light individuals (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2l (FPANF614PH) Same individual as (FPANF609PH) forefoot (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2m (FPANF615PH) Same individual as (FPANF603PH) hindfoot (Paul Smith October 2013).
FIGURE 2n - (FPANF203PH) Green adult, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2009).
FIGURE 2o - (FPANF719PH) Green adult, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
VIDEO - (FPANF616VI) Adult singing, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2013).
Pseudis platensis occidentalis Click the links to hear the calls.
1 (FPANF204RE) Song Recorded Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2008)
2 (FPANF651RE) Call and chucks Recorded Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2013)
3 (FPANF652RE) Call and chucks Recorded Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2013)