FROGS OF SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL — COCHRAN 35 



the only giant toad, and there, according to Miiiler and Hellmich 

 (1936, p. 14), it reaches the truly amazing length of 205 nun. Thus 

 its range encircles and partly overlaps that of idericus, which seems 

 to be confined to the coastal states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, 

 where paracnemis is very rare. 



The species paracnemis is most easily recognized by its heavy tibial 

 glands, more prominent than|those of B. alvarius of Arizona and 

 California, though lacking the glands along the forearm found in 

 alvarius. The presence of pronounced scapular ridges in most indi- 

 viduals is a character useful in distinguishing paracnemis from idericus, 

 which seldom has anything more than a slight elevation between the 

 parotoids. The tapering parotoids of paracnemis are at once obviously 

 different from the broadl}'' elliptical ones of idericus, while the much 

 more distinct doi-sal pattern of the latter, especially m females, and 

 its coarsely reticulated ventral region, give a decided contrast to the 

 dull-spotted or unicolor back and the pale or spotted venter of the 

 former. From marinus of the Amazon region, paracnemis can be 

 separated by its longer and narrower parotoids and particularly by its 

 tibial gland. It appears to be rather closely related to B. arenarum, 

 of Argentine and Uruguay, which has tapering parotoids and very 

 heavy scapular ridges. The latter, however, is a smaller species, the 

 parotoids are much smaller in relation to the total length, and the 

 tibia lacks the prominent swollen gland of paracnemis. 



The collector J. Venancio believes that individuals may travel for 

 great distances, as he found them several kilometers from the nearest 

 water on top of the serra in arid fields where they were eating beetles 

 at night. When distrubed, they deflated with a hiss like that of the 

 cascavel, or Croialus terrijicus. 



The voice is a very high poo-poo-poo-poo-poo-poo. Its native name 

 in the north of Brazil is sapo cururu. The eggs are not known, but a 

 series of fuUy metamorphosed young, USNM 98838, were taken at 

 Casa Nova, Bahia, on AprU 16, 1935. They measure about 12 mm. 

 in total length, and the elongate parotoid can already be plainly seen, 

 followed by a conspicuous lateral fold that in the adult is sometimes 

 represented only by a row of warts. These young have the pattern 

 of the typical adult female, several more or less rectangular dark 

 spots in a row on either side of the midline. 



Specimens examined 

 BRAZIL: 



Bahia: Bom Jardim, USNM 98822, Bias, Apr. 13, 1935. 



Casa Nova, USNM 98838, Bias, Apr. 16, 1935. Rio Itapicurfi, Queimadas, 

 CM 2680, Hasemen, Mar. 2, 1908. Sarubahyba, USNM 98827, Dias, Apr. 

 14, 1935. 



