Corsican painted frog

The Corsican painted frog is a species of frogs in the family Alytidae.
It is endemic to the French island of Corsica. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and rivers.

Description

The Corsican painted frog is very similar in appearance to the Tyrrhenian painted frog but has a noticeably more rounded snout and a flatter back. The fourth finger of its front foot is tapering and not spatulate, and its hind legs are longer. It grows to about long. The colour varies and is either plain brown, grey or reddish brown, or one of these colours with dark brown spots. The underside is pale. The call is more musical than other painted frogs and consists of a repeated "poop – poop – poop".

Distribution and habitat

The Corsican painted frog is found only on the island of Corsica. It mainly occurs in the central region at altitudes of, especially in mountain torrents and both still and flowing water in woods and forests. It shares its range with the Tyrrhenian painted frog but is a more montane species, adept at leaping from rock to rock.

Biology

Like other members of its family, the Corsican painted frog eats small invertebrates. It is unclear whether observations of this frog in the past were of D. sardus or D. montalentii. This is because they are so similar in appearance and were only recognised as different species in the late 20th century. Consequently, its reproductive habits are uncertain but it is believed to lay its eggs in small groups or singly on the bottom of watercourses. They are brownish-black and in diameter with a thick, gelatinous casing.