33 



Fig. 27. Palmar view of hand (left) and plantar view of feet (right) of Rana saharica (LACM 108988). 



Variation 



The dorsal pattern and size show geographical variation. 

 The Saharan populations usually lack a pale vertebral line and 

 their coloration is greyish brown. Size (SVL) decreases 

 southward . 



Ecology 



This is an aquatic species, living in irrigation ditches, 

 ponds, springs, rivers, and temporary pools. It occurs from 20 

 to 1700 m in Morocco. In the northern Algeria and Morocco, the 

 young are active by February, the adults in April. Their diet 

 in Algeria is composed of insects, tadpoles, fish, and fish 

 eggs. The predation of Hyla meridionalis by this species has 

 been reported. 



Biology 



Amplexus occurs in May (western Sahara) or June (Algeria) . 

 Tadpoles reach 70 mm total length (Morocco) . If they 

 overwinter, they reach 100 mm. The individuals that 

 metamorphose in the year in which they hatch measure 12-14 mm 

 SVL. Those that metamorphose the following year measure 20 mm 

 SVL. 



