Fejervarya limnocharis
Encyclopedia
The Cricket Frog is a species
of frog
found widely distributed in South Asia
. Molecular studies of the species complex suggest that there may be multiple species involved.
Very closely allied to Rana tigrina, from which it differs in its smaller size, half-webbed toes, slight development of the fringe on the fifth toe, and usually in the presence of a small outer metatarsal tubercle. The length and shape of the snout, the size of the inner metatarsal tubercle, and the relative length of the hind limbs and of the fourth toe vary to an extraordinary degree. The tibio-tarsal articulation usually reaches the eye, or between the latter and the end of the snout; but in some specimens (var. brevipalmata, from Pegu and S. India) it reaches considerably beyond the end of the snout, and the foot measures two thirds the distance between the end of the snout and the vent Greenish or olive, with darker spots; a light vertebral line or band frequently present; sometimes a light line along the inner side of the leg; sides of thighs black-marbled; throat of male usually with two large black blotches, sometimes connected and forming a 'M'.
This species measures 2-5 inches from snout to vent.
The species forms a complex with several genetic variants that may represent multiple species.
and Southern Japan
, throughout India
, Sri Lanka
, and Burma to the Malay Peninsula
and Archipelago. In the Himalayas (Sikkim
) it occurs up to 7000 feet. Stoliczka
observed that it usually does not hesitate to take to the sea or brackish water. In Pakistan
it occurs in the Indus drainage from the delta north at least to Rawalpindi
.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
found widely distributed in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
. Molecular studies of the species complex suggest that there may be multiple species involved.
Description
The following description is from BoulengerGeorge Albert Boulenger
George Albert Boulenger FRS was a Belgian-British zoologist who identified over 2000 new animal species, chiefly fish, reptiles and amphibians.-Life:...
This species measures 2-5 inches from snout to vent.
The species forms a complex with several genetic variants that may represent multiple species.
Distribution
A widely distributed species, extending from ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Southern Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, throughout India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, and Burma to the Malay Peninsula
Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a peninsula in Southeast Asia. The land mass runs approximately north-south and, at its terminus, is the southern-most point of the Asian mainland...
and Archipelago. In the Himalayas (Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
) it occurs up to 7000 feet. Stoliczka
Ferdinand Stoliczka
Ferdinand Stoliczka was a Moravian palaeontologist who worked in India on paleontology, geology and various aspects of zoology. He died of high altitude sickness during an expedition across the Himalayas.-Early life:Stoliczka was born at the lodge Zámeček near Kroměříž in Moravia...
observed that it usually does not hesitate to take to the sea or brackish water. In Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
it occurs in the Indus drainage from the delta north at least to Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
.