Say Howdy to the Hula Painted Frog
The Hula painted frog (Latonia nigriventer) is a species of frog found only in two areas of the Hula Valley in the central-east Levant which together make up only 2 km sq (0.77 mi). Within this small area, L. nigriventer occupies a variety of habitats including scrublands, small springs, and wetlands; however, they do require a permanent body of water and either dense vegetation or leaf litter.
Hula painted frogs are on the larger side; adults range from 6.66 - 12.13 cm (2.62 - 4.78 in) in length and can weigh between 13-26 g (0.46-0.92 oz), with females being larger than males. Both sexes have a dark brown body, mottled with orange and brown on the top, and an underbelly speckled with white.
Though unconfirmed, it is suspected that L. nigriventer breeds from March to June. Males and females find each other through advertising calls. Following mating, the female lays several clusters of eggs. The tadpoles complete metamorphosis by the end of August, and are likely sexually active by the following year. The adult lifespan is unknown, but is likely to exceed 5 years.
Like most other frogs, Hula painted frogs consume primarily insects, especially snails and isopods. They hunt at night, and tend not to aggregate in large numbers outside of the breeding season. During the day, or during prolonged droughts, L. nigriventer will burrow beneath the leaf litter or in abandoned animal burrows. Predators of adults include kingfishers, while tadpoles are predated upon by crustaceans, dragonfly nymphs, fish, turtles, and larger frogs both of their own species and of others.
Conservation status: The Hula painted frog is considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The species was thought in the 1950s to be extinct, and was rediscovered in 2011. The species is threatened primarily by habitat destruction.
Photos
Bobby Bok
Miguel Vences
Frank Glaw
