KEYS TO FROGS AND TOADS 



groups. Difficult to distinguish from eggs of Ps. c'Icir/{// l)ul ihcy clifTer typically 

 as follows: (1) darker at animal pole, (2) little or no size variations of eggs 

 as seen with the naked eye, (3) egg mass typically larger (exceptions), at- 

 tached commonly to standing twigs or other support (also exceptions), (4) 

 often in tall grass and woodland and rare elsewhere. Opposite tendencies are 

 present in Ps. clar/{/i except in northeastern tall grass prairie (Osage County 

 eastward) where both species occur fairly commonly and often breed in same 

 pools. Tadpoles: shy and variable in color. Many have heavily mottled tails 

 which is true of no other species of Pseudacris in Oklahoma. Young tadpoles 

 appear st]uarish, and tend to swim near the surface (differing from all other 

 Hylidae of Oklahoma). Older ones seldom float at surface like those of other 

 Pseudacris, some Hyla, and Microhyla. Descriptions: eggs. Smith (1934), 

 Wright and Wright (1942), Walker (1946); larvae, Youngstrom and Smith 

 (1936), Bragg (1934); adults, Walker (1943), Wright and Wright (1942). 



18. Rana areolata areolata Baird and Girard (Southern Crayfish Frog) 



Distribution: southeastern Oklahoma, central Pontotoc County eastward 

 and south eastward. Habitat: lower areas in and about crayfish burrows and 

 in valleys in mountains. Adults shy, seldom seen except during breeding. 

 Breeding: in waters adjacent to the habitat in early to mid-spring only (Feb- 

 ruary to mid-May observed). Eggs: are little understood and tadpoles little 

 known but are now being studied. Descriptions: adults, Wright and Wright 

 (1942), Coin and Netting (1940). 



19. Rana areolata circulosa Rice and Davis (Northern Crayfish Frog) 



Distribution: northeastern Oklahoma, west to Osage and Tulsa counties. 

 Habitat: lower areas in and about crayfish burrows. Breeding: March and 

 April observed, typically in flooded areas of the habitat. Eggs: in large masses, 

 tadpole just described. Descriptions: eggs. Smith ( 1934); adult. Smith ( 1934), 

 Goin and Netting ( 1940). 



20. Rana catesbeiana Shaw (Bullfrog) 



Distribution: probably state-wide. Habitat: abundant about and in lakes, 

 large quiet rivers, pools in creeks, cattle tanks and, in general, in and about 

 deep, still water; sometimes young juveniles are found about ditches. Breed- 

 ing: in deeper pools of permanent water. Eggs: produced as large rafts on 

 surface. Tadpoles: greenish with some dark mottling; grow to a very large 

 size before metamorphosis (more than three inches). Descriptions: eggs, 

 adults, and larvae, Wright and Wright (1942). 



21. Rana clamitans Latreille (Green Frog) 



Distribution: eastern half of Oklahoma, rare except in extreme east. 

 Habitat: muddy and marshy banks of streams and ponds. Breeding: has not 

 been observed in Oklahoma. Descriptions: eggs, adults, and larvae, Wright 

 and Wright (1942). 



25 



