Rana hexadactyla

Euphlyctis hexadactylus, also known as the green pond frog, Indian green frog, and Indian five-fingered frog, is a common species of aquatic frog found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

DESCRIPTION

• Vomerine teeth are arranged in two oblique series that extend beyond the posterior edge of the choanae.

• The head is of moderate size with a somewhat pointed snout, and the canthus rostralis is not very distinct.

• The interorbital space is considerably narrower than the upper eyelid, and the tympanum is distinct and approximately the same size as the eye.

•  The fingers are slender and pointed, with the first finger extending slightly beyond the second. The toes are webbed up to their sharply pointed tips, with the outer toe strongly fringed.

• The fourth toe is not significantly longer than the third or fifth toes.

• Subarticular tubercles on the fingers and toes are very small, and the inner metatarsal tubercle is small and conical, while there is no outer tubercle.

• When the hind limb is brought forward along the body, the tibio-tarsal articulation reaches the eye.

• The skin is smooth, featuring more or less distinct rows of pores around the neck, sides, and belly.

• The upper body is brown, occasionally with a light vertebral line, and there are two blackish streaks on the posterior side of the thighs, which may sometimes be indistinct.

• In their youth, these frogs display beautiful stripes. Males possess two external vocal vesicles that open through two slits beneath the corners of the mouth.

REPRODUCTION

• The breeding season for Rana hexadactyla typically occurs in the spring and early summer, usually after the winter hibernation period.

• Male frogs gather at breeding sites, such as ponds, marshes, or slow-moving streams.

• Males produce advertisement calls to attract females. These calls are often loud and distinctive and serve to establish territory and attract potential mates.

• Once a female approaches, the male initiates amplexus, a mating embrace where he grasps the female from behind. During amplexus, the male fertilizes the eggs externally as the female releases them into the water.

• Female Rana hexadactyla lay their eggs in aquatic environments, typically attaching them to submerged vegetation or other underwater structures.

• The eggs are usually laid in clusters or masses and are surrounded by a gelatinous substance that provides protection.

• Eggs hatch into tadpoles within a few days, depending on water temperature and environmental conditions.

• Tadpoles are fully aquatic and undergo a period of growth and development in the water.

• They primarily feed on plant matter, algae, and detritus.

• As tadpoles grow and develop, they undergo metamorphosis, gradually developing limbs, losing their gills, and transforming into juvenile frogs.

• Metamorphosis can take several weeks to a couple of months, depending on environmental conditions.

• Juvenile frogs leave the water and become terrestrial. They have fully developed lungs for breathing air.

• On land, they feed on a diet of small invertebrates, insects, and other suitable prey.

HABITAT

It is a highly adaptable frog and can be found in a variety of habitats, including freshwater ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, swamps and marshes, rice paddies, slow-moving streams and rivers,irrigation canals, damp meadows and grasslands forests even urban areas