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Iberian frog

Rana iberica

Description:

The Iberian frog can grow to about 7 centimetres (2.8 in) in length but a more normal size is 5 centimetres (2.0 in). Females tend to be larger than males. The ear drum can be seen just behind the eye and is about half its size in diameter. From the side of the head to the groin there is a distinct ridge, the dorsolateral fold, which distinguishes this species from the common frog (Rana temporaria). The skin is smooth with fine granulations. The colour is very variable being mainly olive, reddish or greyish brown, sometimes with darker markings. There is a dark streak between the nostril and the eye and there is a thin white line along the upper lip. The hind legs are sometimes barred with dark brown. The hind feet are more completely webbed than the common frog. The underside is pale, sometimes with darker spots, but the centre of the throat is unspotted

Habitat:

The Iberian frog or Rana Patilarga, (Rana iberica), is a species of frog in the family Ranidae that is found in Portugal and Spain. Its natural habitats are rivers, mountain streams and swamps. It is threatened by habitat loss, introduced species, climate change, water contamination and increased ultraviolet radiation. The Iberian frog is endemic to Portugal and north-western and central Spain. It is a mountain species and has been recorded at altitudes of up to 2,425 metres (7,956 ft).[1] It is present in the northern half of Portugal and in Spain it is found in the region of Galicia, in west León and in north west Zamora, and there are separate populations in mountainous regions in central Spain. It favours slow moving streams and rivers with overhanging vegetation, ponds and glacial lakes. It shares parts of its range with the agile frog (Rana dalmatina), Perez's frog (Rana perezi) and the common frog (Rana temporaria)

Notes:

Biology The Iberian frog is an agile frog, jumping into the water if disturbed and swimming away rapidly.[3] It is active both by day and night and feeds on beetles, flies, caddisflies, stone flies, spiders and harvestmen.[4] In Galicia and lowland Portugal, breeding takes place from November to March, but in upland areas it occurs from March to May. Amplexus, with the male clinging to the back of the female, takes place in the water. Small clumps of eggs with a gelatinous coat are laid and are stuck to water-weed or placed beneath underwater stones. When the tadpoles hatch, they feed on vegetable matter and take about three months before they undergo metamorphosis into juvenile frogs. These are about 1.3 cm (0.5 in) long. Males become mature when they are about 3 centimetres (1.2 in) in length and females when they are rather larger The Iberian frog has a distinctive call which is generally produced at night. It sounds like "rao-rao-rao" and is issued at a rate of about 3 calls per second spotted in the PNPGerês,in Malhadoura montain(800m),in a little river .What confuse me in the id question is the orange colour,my guide does not have this one whith this colour,but i think maybee that is due to some diferent sex colour or changing of colour during part of the season spotted in PNPGerês,in Malhadoura mountain

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Portugal

Spotted on Oct 13, 2012
Submitted on Oct 30, 2012

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