Click here to hear the call of this species (166 KB MP3 file)
Click here to hear the call of this species (166 KB MP3 file)
Family: Microhylidae
Common names: Elegant Narrowmouthed Frog / Toad
1) Distinguishing features
Size (SVL) 22 - 25mm, females larger than males
Dorsum is brown or brownish-grey, sides of head and flanks being a darker colour. Usually an inguinal spot. Ventral colour is irregular white blotches seperated by narrow dark reticulum. Iris is medium brown. Small and fat with small triangular head. Transverse fold of skin across top of the head immediately behind eyes - characteristic shared with H. variolosus, but G. elegans only has inner metatarsal tubercle as opposed to inner and outer metatarsal tubercles in H. variolosus. Dorsal skin is smooth and thick, limbs short and robust and tips of toes very slightly dilated, toes scarcely have a trace of webbing.
2) Distribution
Countrywide at low elevation (up to about 900m). Specimens have been known from Evergreen Broadleaf Forest, Semi-evergreen Seasonal Forest and Savannah. Small, wet depressions in forest and in open areas surrounding agaudas.
3) Natural history
Fossorial - hiding under logs, rocks and other debris, or digging into soil. Call from within bunches of grass or beneath thick vegetation. Diet is small insects. Probably breed after heavy rains - eggs laid on surface of water to hatch in a few days. Call is high pitched and prolonged, almost like the buzzing of an insect - baaaaaaaaa.
4) Remarks
Not commonly encountered in Central America and only reported 4 times in Belize