Leptodactylus fuscus (Schneider, 1799)

Taxonomy and Naming

Leptodactylus fuscus is a species of frog belonging to the family Leptodactylidae. In Brazil, its local common name is rã-assobiadora, which literally translates to 'whistling frog'. Frank and Ramus proposed the English common name rufous frog, and this name is currently used by the IUCN.

Geographic Distribution

This species is distributed across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

Habitat Types

Leptodactylus fuscus inhabits grassy areas, marshes, urban environments, and degraded forests.

Elevation Range

It has been recorded at elevations ranging from 0 to 1750 meters above sea level.

Disturbance Tolerance

This frog demonstrates strong tolerance to anthropogenic disturbance.

Protected Area Occurrence

It has been documented in many protected areas, and approximately 17 percent of the species' population in Brazil lives within protected parks.

Reproductive Mating Behavior

For reproduction, males call to attract females during rainfall.

Egg Laying

Females deposit eggs in burrows located in wet areas near lagoons.

Larval Development

When rising rainwater floods these burrows, the hatched larvae swim out into adjacent bodies of water to continue development.