174 



BULLETIN 160, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



ment of the darker markings is found in some lightly marked indi- 

 viduals of Hyla eximia. On the other hand, the head of H. staufferi 

 seems to have a different outline than that of eximia. The type of 

 staufferi is approximately the same size as one of the cotypes of H. 

 Tiana [ = smithii], and all these specimens lack a tarsal fold. The 

 cotypes of H. smithii, however, have a dark lateral band with white 

 upper margin and thus agree with eximia. 



Three specimens, one young and two supposed adults (U.S.N.M, 

 Nos. 32396-98), collected by Francis Sumichrast at Potrero near 

 Cordoba in Vera Cruz, are referred to this species. The following 

 observations are based on the two adults : Head-and-body length, 27.3 

 and 30.3 mm.; transverse diameter of tympanum, 1.2 and 1.2 mm.; 

 transverse diameter of eye, 2.6 and 3.1 mm.; anterior edge of eye to 

 nostril, 2.9 and 3.5 mm.; width of head at level of posterior angles of 

 jaws, 9.2 and 9.6 mm.; no tarsal fold; tip of first finger does not or 

 barely reaches to base of second ; the hind Hmb being carried forward 

 along the body, the tibio-tarsal joint reaches to center or to anterior 

 margin of eye; a dermal fold across chest; an interorbital dark bar; 

 a curved dark streak over vertebral margin of scapula; a lateral dark 

 streak from posterior edge of upper eyelid, backward above tympanum 

 and along sides to about halfway length of body; dark spots or 

 splotches in sacral region; upper surface of fore and hind limbs with 

 dark crossbars. 



The measurements of the type of Hyla staufferi are as follows: 

 Head-and-body length, 25.5 mm.; transverse diameter of tympanum, 

 1.3 mm. ; transverse diameter of eye, 2.4 mm. ; anterior edge of eye to 

 nostril, 3 mm.; width of head at level of posterior angles of jaws, 8.5 

 mm. The exact status of staufferi can not be settled by comparison 

 with the available series of eximia, and in absence of conclusive evi- 

 dence that it is merely a variant of the latter, this small tree frog is 

 tentatively recognized as a distinct species. 



A specimen (B. M. No. 1903. 9. 30. 286) from Motzorongo in Vera 

 Cruz is considered by Dunn to be another example of H. staufferi. 



Specimens examined. — Four, as follows : 



Hyla staufferi 



'Type. 



