Rana virgatipes 443 



OVULATION 



Habitat. In 1923 (p. 421) Noble lists the breeding habitat of Rana 

 virgatipes as "Larger pools of pine barrens." In 1908 Fowler (1908, p. 194) in 

 writing of this species "above Rancocas Creek above New Lisbon, in BurHng- 

 ton County" says "We found a lot of spawn, though were unable to identify 

 it as belonging to this species. It resembled that found at Mare Run, in 

 similar situations, as it was formed in strings and wound about the numerous 

 aquatic plants in still water. These strings were quite long and very abundant. 

 Attempts at their transportation and hatching failed." These strings do not 

 accord in description with our experiences with R. virgatipes eggs. In 1922 on 

 July 2 1 we heard several Rana virgatipes in the wooded swampy areas between 

 Chesser Island and the mainland. "At 9 p. m. we started with auto for the first 

 and second dreens. At the first heard a few Rana virgatipes males calling. In the 

 area around the pond south of the first crossing were most of the frogs. Other 

 species not caUing in great numbers, so we went to the 2nd crossing. To 

 the direct right in the wooded edge of the island we heard several males. 

 These males would be next to a sphagnaceous base of a pine or cypress or 

 between two bushy clumps or sedgy tussocks. Occasionally they were perched 

 on a log. Sometimes they were amongst Xyris or Eriocaulon stands. There 

 were fallen logs in this area. The water at the deepest was no more than a 

 foot. The places of gathering were near the edge of the wooded swamp. 

 This species seems to be very appropriately a 'sphagnum frog.' There must 

 have been twenty or twenty-five frogs in one small area. We captured four 

 males and saw 10 or 12 more." 



The next morning at 11 a. m. M. D. Pirnie and I went to the 2nd dreen to 

 look for the eggs. We found six masses of eggs. Our rough notes describe the 

 area thus: "The area has pine, cypress (young) and gum. More or less open 

 spaces between trees. Around the bases of the trees are sphagneous mounds. 

 More or less wide clear interspaces of water fill most of the rest of the area 

 except for smaller stands of Eriocaulon, Xyris, Poly gala cymosa, and Smilax 

 Walteri. The Eriocaulon stands may have Burmannia, Drosera with long 

 scapes and white flowers. Some algae and two bladderworts, one purple, one 

 yellow in water interspaces. Sometimes a stand around a cypress or pine is 

 Rhexia mariana or Woodwardia. Little of latter. Interspersed with trees are 

 Hyperica-like bushes of very fine leaves ^-f of an inch in length. Clethra 

 here and also evergreen "hurrah bushes (Leucothoe) ." Later in the day we 

 found more egg masses. 



Period. In 1923 Noble (p. 425) considers Rana virgatipes a protracted 

 b»eeder, temperature controlled, a form which has hibernated in the water. 

 In Okefinokee Swamp and throughout most of its range I fancy rains and 

 humidity are more important factors than temperature though the latter is 

 an influence as well. We actually found ovulation from July 21-25 but we 

 have presumptive evidence of breeding from June 21-Aug. 11. Probably the 

 species begins the last of April and extends to August. 



Egg-laying process. We have not observed the process. It is doubtless 

 similar to that for forms which lay beneath the surface such as Rana pipiens, 



