Acris gryllus 185 



TRANSFORMATION 



Period. Abbott placed transformation in late August. Hay (1892, p. 462) 

 says "The transformations occurred about Sept i" in Indiana. Hubbs (1917, 

 p. 99) found a few transforming Sept. 23 in Indiana. 



In 191 2 we found transformation likely from May 29- July 15 or later. 

 In 192 1 from June 3 to July 27, transformation was recorded. In 1922 we 

 have transformation from June 22-Aug. 29. These transform from Apr. i 

 or earlier to October i or later. 



Size. We recorded in the field little regarding the size of Acris at trans- 

 formation. On July 7, 1922, we observed that "it has the largest transformed 

 size relatively (i.e., to adult size) of any of the Anura in the swamp." In 1920 

 (pp. 34 and 36) we have Acris gryllus transformation size one-half inch and 

 the adult i 3/4 inches. "The cricket-frog transforms from June i to July if 

 the eggs be laid early, or in August if the eggs be laid in June. At transforma- 

 tion it averages a greater length than the swamp cricket frog, being 0.5 inch 

 in length." 



From Gainesville, Ga., as early as Apr. 2, 191 1, J. C. Bradley secured 

 transformed frogs 10 and 11.5 mm. long, and as late as Aug. 20, 1916, F. 

 Harper took transformed frogs at Chapel Point, Maryland. These last are 

 10, 10 and 13 mm. in size. In 1920 we gave one-half inch as the transforma- 

 tion size. Our 19 12 material yielded transformation sizes of 12 and 13 mm. 



In 192 1 on Apr. 28 we found one specimen 13.5 mm. but it was not at 

 transformation. On June 3 we record one collection with a 13 mm. trans- 

 formed individual and one 10 mm. with a stub of the tail. Another lot of 5 

 specimens are 13, 13, 13, 14, 14.5 mm. respectively are marked transformed 

 but are doubtless slightly beyond. On June 14 we have one transformed at 

 12 mm. and another 10 mm. with a stub of the tail and a frog mouth. On 

 June 17 we took one 14 mm. and past transformation. On July 12 we took 

 three 13, 13.5, 14 mm. beyond transformation. Two transformed at 11.5 

 and 12 mm. and 3 with sHght stub, these 11.5 and 13 mm. On July 23 

 we have three just transformed 12, 12, 13.5 mm. On July 2 we found in 

 one place tadpoles of several sizes and transformations of 10, 12, 12.5 and 14 

 mm., and one beyond transformation 13.5 mm. On the 24th of July we 

 found one transformed at 12.5 mm. and one 15 mm. almost transformed, 

 4 legs, with more frog-like than tadpole mouth. On July 26 we have a 

 series of six transformed frogs, 11, 11, 11.5 (stub 5 mm.), 12, 12, 13 mm. On 

 July 27-29 we have one specim.en 13 mm., which is not at transformation. 

 On the same date the two i i.o and 1 1 .5 mm. just transformed and five others 

 i3j i3j i3-S> 13-5, 14-5 nim. are possibly just transformed. On July 29 we 

 have one 11.5 mm. at transformation. 



In 1922 on June 27 we took our smallest specimens of transformed frogs, 

 one 9 mm. in length. On June 29, we have five specimens transformed; lo.o 

 (tail stub 3 mm.) 11, 11, 12, 12.5 (stub 7.5 mm.) mm. On July 12, at Starling 

 Branch crossing we secured many mature and smaller tadpoles and trans- 

 formations 8.5, 10, 10, 10.5, II, II, 12, 12.5 and 14 mm. These are dried up 

 when measured. On July 14, are seven just beyond transformation 13, 



^^Wt> 





