Variation in Colors and Color Patterns in Tadpoles in Oklahoma

Abstract

1. Size smaller; tail musculature usually bicolored or, when striped, with the stripe nearly parallel to the long axis of the tail; tail fins with scattered melanophores and not usually blotched; head broad with interpupillary distance .49 or more in body length or with product of interpupillary ratio and oral disc ratio equal to 1.10 or more; 3rd lower labial tooth row shorter, equal to less than .30 in first upper tooth row. Pseudacris n. feriarum 2. Size larger; tail musculature usually with a well defined lateral stripe meeting the long axis of the tail at an oblique angle; tail fins often with much dark pigment and blotched in full grown larvae; head and body narrower with interpupillary distance usually less than .49 in body length or with product of interpupillary ratio and oral disc ratio equal to 1.10 or less; 3rd lower labial tooth row longer, usually more than .30 in first upper tooth row...H. andersoni C. Tail musculature usually more or less uniformly pigmented or with irregular blotches or reticulations; tail fins usually relatively deep; labial tooth row formula 2/3 or sometimes 2/2; without other characters in A. 1. Size smaller; snout-spiracle distance usually .70 or more in body length; body narrower and oral disc smaller with mean product of interpupillary ratio and oral disc ratio equal to about 1.20; 3rd lower tooth row very short, shorter than median gap in 2nd upper labial tooth row or sometimes absent; tail fins heavily blotched with dark...H. c. crucifer 2. Size larger; snout-spiracle distance usually less than .70 in body length; body wider and oral disc larger with mean product of interpupillary ratio and oral ratio equal to about 1.30; 3rd lower labial tooth row wider than median gap in 2nd upper labial tooth row; tail fins heavily blotched with dark and frequently with red-orange pigmentation in life...H. v. versicolor