Pelophylax nigromaculatus (formerly Rana nigromaculata), is a species of true frog found in East Asia, first described in 1861. This widespread and common frog has many common names, including dark-spotted frog, black-spotted pond frog, and black-spotted frog.[1][2]
Occurrence
It occurs across much of mainland eastern-northeastern China, the Amur River valley in Russia, the Korean Peninsula (including Ulleungdo Island),[3]
and most of Japan, with the exception of Hokkaidō.[2][4] It has been considered the most-common of the true frogs on the Korean Peninsula, and has been hunted for food there for centuries, and, in modern times, used as an experimental animal.[5] There are also introduced populations in Turkmenistan,[4]Oahu, and Saipan.[6]
Habitat
The dark-spotted frog is a relatively low-altitude species, not being found above 2200 m. It ranges across a variety of habitats, from deserts and bushland to meadows and forests, and is typically found in or near stagnant or slow-moving water. Although relatively tolerant of human interference, it is increasingly threatened by hunting and water pollution.[1]
Description
Adult males measure about 62 mm (2.4 in) and females 74 mm (2.9 in) in snout–vent length.[7] The dorsal colouration varies from grey to greyish-olive, olive, and green. There are usually large dark spots, a light mid-dorsal line, and two lines on dorso-lateral folds. The belly is white. The toes are webbed. Males have a paired vocal sac and nuptial pads on the first finger.[4]
Mating season occurs soon after hibernation. Maturation probably occurs at an age of two years, and the total life span may reach 13 years.[4] The clutch size has been reported as 1800–3000[1] or 600–5000[4] eggs. The eggs are laid in shallow water.[1]
Parasites
Protoopalina pingi,[8] a parasite of the rectum of Pelophylax nigromaculatus in China
One species known to parasitize this frog is the opalinidProtoopalina pingi (in the rectum).[8]
^ abcFrost, Darrel R. (2017). "Pelophylax nigromaculatus (Hallowell, 1861)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
