Description: Cajun chorus frogs are relatively small with males attaining a maximum snout-vent length of 1.2 inches and females attaining at least 1.1 inches in snout-vent length. The head is barely convex when viewed from above and is slightly narrower than the body. The snout tapers to a sharp point when viewed from the side. The upper jaw exceeds the tip of the lower jaw. The snout is long, with a rounded canthus rostralis and barely concave loreal region. Nostrils are slightly protuberant and are positioned two-thirds of the distance from the anterior of the eyes to the tip of the snout. Eyes are medium in size and do not protrude. Lips are moderately thick and do not flare. The supratympanic fold is thin and runs from the back of the eye tp above the tympanum (barely obscuring the upper edge of the tympanum), and then downward towards the arm insertion. Distance from the eye to the tympanum is equal to about two-thirds the diameter of the tympanum. Arms are robust and moderately long. There is no axillary membrane (membrane between body and limb at insertion). A slight skin fold is evident at the ulnar joint but no tubercles are present. A distinct fold of skin is seen on the dorsal surface of the wrist. Fingers are long and slender and the toe pads are only slightly wider than the fingers. The round tubercles on the pads are moderately large and are not bifid. There is a large almost bisected tubercle on the palm. Breeding males do not bear nuptial excrescences (used to grip the female during amplexus). There is no webbing between the digits of the hand. Hindlimbs are slender and moderately long with a well developed, flap-like, inner tarsal fold running the entire length of the tarsus and connecting to the inner metatarsal tubercle. No outer tarsal fold is present. The inner metatarsal tubercle is small, oval-shaped, and raised, while the outer metatarsal tubercle is smaller and conical. Toes are long and slender with toe pads slightly wider than the digits. Subarticular tubercles are large, round, and flattened. Proximal segments of the outer digits have a few indistinct supernumerary tubercles. On the feet, webbing only occurs basally between digits III-IV and IV-V. The cloaca lies near the mid level of the thighs with a short flap of skin that lies above the opening and partially covers it. The skin on the back is weakly granular while the ventral surface is robustly granular. The tongue, barely free behind, is heart-shaped with a small notch posterior. Two or three teeth are present on each vomerine process. In males, vocal slits extend along the posterior 2/3 of the tongue to the jaw angle. A single median subgular vocal sac is present in males. This vocal sac is greatly expandable.
Habitat: It is found in a variety of habitats from forested areas to open fields throughout the breeding season and frequently colonizes wet roadside ditches. The only habitat the species does not occupy within its range is the marshes of Southern Louisiana. Little is known of the habitat utilized by Pseudacris fouquettei in the non-breeding season. However, since it is rarely seen above ground during non-breeding it is assumed that it must burrow underground.
Range:Pseudacris fouquettei is found throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, Eastern Texas, Eastern Oklahoma, Western Mississippi, and into extreme Southern Missouri.
Diet: They feed on small invertebrates like ants, beetles, and flies. Tadpoles most likely feed on algae and other detritus from grass stems and other objects.
Reproduction: These mostly diurnal frogs are active throughout their breeding season. Breeding generally occurs from January through May, but depending on the temperature, breeding may commence as early as the end of October. Breeding activity occurs from 39℉ to 70℉, typically after rainfall. Breeding and courtship usually occur in shallow temporary pools and flooded fields where there is emergent vegetation. Males sit concealed within the grasses to produce advertisement calls
Amplexus is axillary. Females lay anywhere from 500 to 1,500 eggs in small soft clusters attached to vegetation, usually grass stems. These eggs will hatch within a few days, depending upon the water temperature. The tadpoles remain in the water until they fully metamorphose (48 to over 80 days). The newly transformed frogs usually stay close to the water body for a short time after that. Adults usually disperse within 650 feet of the breeding pool after breeding.
Status:Pseudacris fouquettei is currently recognized as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The overall trend of the population is thought to be stable or declining slightly throughout its range, with the total adult population size assumed to exceed 100,000. This species tolerates some environmental degradation. It also occupies many protected areas. Localized impacts are possible due to increased urbanization, agriculture, and logging. In addition, it was reported that some Louisiana specimens were infected with the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd).
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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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