Eleutherodactylus marnockii
—
Cliff Chirping Frog
Some authorities include this species in the genus Syrrhophus.
I hadn't studied up on my Texas herps very carefully when I visited Hill Country State Natural Area, so I was surprised to discover a brightly-colored small frog quite a long distance from any rivers, creeks, or ponds.
After having gone a lifetime unaware of the existence of this interesting little frog, I found another the next day. This one was larger (though still little), but not quite as brightly colored.
Apparently there is at least one of these frogs in every parcel of public land in the Hill Country region of Texas.
Printed references:
- Conant, R., Collins, J. T. 1998. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Third Edition, expanded
- Crother, B. I. (ed.) 2017. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with Comments Regarding Confidence in Our Understanding, Eighth Edition
- Elliott, L., Gerhardt, C. and Davidson, C. 2009. The Frogs and Toads of North America