The H. meridionalis is light brown to grey with some dark patches. The “New Species of Torrent Frog Hylodes” research paper describes the H. Meridionalis having underdeveloped scales on the upper surface of the finger disks. The H. Meridionalis has a longer snout than other frogs in this same genus and is also smaller in size, measuring in at about 25.3-28.1 mm.

 

To avoid getting eaten by its predators, which include snakes and birds of prey, the H. Meridionalis uses “mucus from their skin and reproductive tracts, which are then beaten into a foam which is a protection not just for themselves but also their young,” states the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

 

The H. Meridionalis lives in the tropical lowlands and forests of southernmost Brazil. They thrive in that ecosystem because it is near many freshwater streams and vegetation, which provides camouflage in the forest. If you were looking for one of these frogs, it would most likely be in or near a freshwater river or stream.

 

The number of H. Meridionalis, as with most frogs, is decreasing because of water pollution and loss of habitat by pine and banana plantations.

 

What stood out to me in my research was that frogs are cannibals-I never knew that! Also, I knew that deforestation is bad for man’s air quality and climate, but this really made me think about how many animals are becoming endangered because of losing their natural habitat.

 

Author: Mackenzie D

Published: 2/2010

 

Sources:

Encyclopedia

Kraig Adler, Tim Halliday, ed. Firefly Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. Buffalo, NY, 2002. Print.

 

http://www.herpetologia-mn.com/pombal/pdf/02 Hamnicolos.pdf

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/classification/Leptodactylidae.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hylodes_meridionalis