Indosylvirana temporalis (Günther, 1864)

Nomenclature

This species is scientifically named Indosylvirana temporalis (Günther, 1864), commonly known as the bronzed frog.

Vomerine Teeth

Its vomerine teeth are arranged in two oblique series that extend past the level of the hind edge of the choanae.

Head Shape

The head is depressed and triangular, and the snout is subacuminate and prominent.

Facial Features

The canthus rostralis is angular, while the loreal region is nearly vertical and strongly concave.

Interorbital Space

The interorbital space is as broad as the upper eyelid, or rather broader in some individuals.

Tympanum

The tympanum is very distinct, and matches the size of the eye, though it may be slightly smaller in some frogs.

Finger Morphology

Digits are moderate in size, with the first digit extending beyond the second.

Toe Morphology

Toes are almost entirely webbed, and the tips of both fingers and toes are dilated into well-developed disks.

Tubercle Structure

Subarticular tubercles are well developed; the inner metatarsal tubercle is oval and blunt, and there is a small, round outer metatarsal tubercle, with no tarsal fold.

Tibiotarsal Articulation

The tibiotarsal articulation reaches between the nostril and the tip of the snout, and may extend a little past the snout tip in some individuals.

Dorsal Skin

The dorsal skin is either smooth or finely granulate, with a narrow glandular lateral fold.

Dorsal Coloration

Dorsal regions are brown, while the loreal and temporal regions, and sometimes the sides of the body, are dark brown.

Limb and Labial Markings

A white labial band may be present, and the limbs have dark cross bands.

Ventral Coloration

Ventral parts are typically white, with the throat and breast more or less speckled with brown spots.

Male Secondary Sexual Traits

Males have internal vocal sacs, oval flat glands on the inner side of their arms, and a strong pad on the inner side of the first finger that is covered with a greyish brown velvet-like horny layer during the breeding season.

Distribution

This species is found only in Sri Lanka, where it occurs chiefly along the edges of rocky streams at low altitudes.

Adult Behavior

Individuals sit exposed on flat rocks and stones, and will leap, often to a considerable distance, into the water when disturbed.

Tadpole Sensory Traits

Tadpoles of this species detect food using chemical cues rather than visual cues, meaning chemical perception is predominant over visual senses for I. temporalis tadpoles.