Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis

Taxobox
name = Indian Skipper

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image_caption = A female Indian Skipper "Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Ranidae
genus = "Euphlyctis"
species = "E. cyanophlyctis"
binomial = "Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis"
binomial_authority = (Schneider, 1799)
synonyms = "Rana cyanophlyctis"

The Indian Skipper frog or Skittering frog ("Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis") is a common frog found in South Asia. They are slimy and are often seen at the edge of bodies of water with their eyes above the water. They noisily move away from the shore when disturbed, giving them their common name. They are rarely seen outside water.

Description

Description from Boulenger is as follows:
Vomerine teeth in two small oblique series extending a little beyond the hinder edge of the choanae. Head moderate; snout scarcely pointed; "canthus rostralis" indistinct; interorbital space much narrower than the upper eyelid; tympanum distinct, about two thirds the size of the eye. Fingers slender, pointed, first not extending beyond second; toes webbed to the tips, which are pointed, fourth not much longer than third or fifth; outer toe strongly fringed; subarticular tubercles small; inner metatarsal tubercle small, conical, much like a rudimentary toe. The tibio-tarsal articulation usually reaches a little beyond the eye. Skin with small tubercles and units above, and with more or less distinct rows of pores. Brown or olive above, dark spotted or marbled; two blackish streaks on the hinder side of the thighs, seldom absent; beneath often speckled with blackish. Male with two external vocal vesicles, opening by two slits beneath the angles of the mouth.

They have the ability to leap out of the water from a floating position. [Nauwelaerts, Sandra; Jan Schollier; Peter Aerts (2004) A functional analysis of how frogs jump out of water. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 83(3):413–420 doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2004.00403.x]

Distribution

The species is widely distributed from Arabia to South Asia and South-east Asia.

Subspecies

* "Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis seistanica" Seistan Skittering Frog
* "Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis cyanophlyctis" Common Skittering Frog
* "Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis microspinulata" Spiny Skittering Frog

Microhabitat

The microhabitat in which this frog is found is pools of stagnant water.

References

* Boulenger, G. A. (1890) Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia.