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Species
Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802)
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
Identifying California Frogs and Toads
This identification resource is from the California Herps website.
License | http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eoleducation, eoleducation |
Source | No source database. |
Bullfrogs are well known for their enormous legs. They are some of the best jumpers in the world and are used in frog racing in some parts of the United States.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Lithobates_catesbeianus/ |
Bullfrogs are well known for their enormous legs. They are some of the best jumpers in the world and are used in frog racing in some parts of the United States.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Rana_catesbeiana/ |
Length: 20 cm
In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Fungus / infection vector
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is spread by Rana catesbeiana
Maximum longevity: 16 years (captivity) Observations: Increased reproductive output with age has been documented in these animals (Caleb Finch 1990). Record longevity may be underestimated. In the wild, mortality rates appear to rise at later ages. Growth rates also appear to decline (Kara 1994).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Joao Pedro de Magalhaes |
Source | http://genomics.senescence.info/species/entry.php?species=Rana_catesbeiana |
Major Threats
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | © International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/58565 |
Competencia
Cuando coloniza un nuevo ambiente se convierte en la especie dominante. Llega a eliminar o a disminuir drásticamente las poblaciones naturales de anfibios tanto por competencia como por depredación. En su ambiente natural, se han observado algunos individuos de rana toro reproduciéndose con especies simpátricas como Rana clamitans, lo cual produce híbridos inviables. Sin embargo, este fenómeno no es común en la naturaleza y hasta el momento no se considera como una amenaza fuerte para las especies nativas que conviven con esta exótica (Elinson, 198; Höbel, 2005).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ |
Rights holder/Author | CONABIO |
Source | No source database. |
Mating System: polygynous
Breeding takes place in May to July in the north, and from February to October in the south. Fertilization is external, with the females depositing as many as 20,000 eggs in a foamy film in quiet, protected waters. Fertilization is usually, but not always, by one male. Tadpoles emerge about four days after fertilization. These tadpoles may remain in the tadpole stage for almost 3 years before transforming into frogs. Adults reach sexual maturity after 3 to 5 years.
Breeding interval: Bullfrogs breed once each year.
Breeding season: May to July in the north and February to October in the south
Range number of offspring: 20000 (high) .
Average time to hatching: 4 days.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 3 to 5 years.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 3 to 5 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External ); oviparous
Females provide the eggs with yolk before they are laid. There is no parental involvement in offspring after the eggs are laid. Newly hatched tadpoles can take care of themselves right away.
Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female)
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Lithobates_catesbeianus/ |