15 



or saline water and in Algeria in small streams and canals with 

 grass. In Morocco, it is found in areas with permanent water, 

 cisterns, ruins, in Quercus forest and Nerium oleander scrub. 

 It is active from September through the winter, commonest from 

 February to April. Spends the summer hidden in crevices or 

 under rocks. Its predators include Matrix maura, and 

 cannibalism has been reported. 



Biology 



The males are the first to gather at water. Pairing is at 

 night. In Algeria, egg-laying takes place from early February 

 until late June. The tadpoles reach lengths to 41 mm. At the 

 time of metamorphosis, they measure 10 mm. In Morocco at the 

 end of February, small tadpoles and newly metamorphosed 

 individuals are observed at the same time. The young reach a 

 size of 36 mm in September. 



Distribution 



Morocco, northern Algeria and Tunisia including Galita 

 Islands (Fig. 10) . 



Fig. 10. Distribution of Discoglossus pictus. 



Bibliography 



Busack (1986), Camerano (1878), Capula et al . (1985), 

 Deyrolle (1905), Doumergue (1901), Dubois (1982), Gallien 

 (1948), Heron-Royer (1888, 1891), Lanza et al . (1984), Maxson 

 and Szymura (1984), Malkmus (1981), Pasteur and Bons (1959), 

 Stemmler (1972), Stemmler and Hotz (1972). 



Family Pelobatidae 

 Pelobatid frogs comprise some 90 living species that are 

 found in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Their 

 pupils are vertical. They are generally burrowers, using their 



