Discoglossus pictus

The Mediterranean Painted Frog, Discoglossus pictus, is a species of frog in the Discoglossidae family. It has 3 different subspecies, Discoglossus pictus pictus or Mediterranean Maltese Painted Frog, found at altitudes up to 1500m, Discoglossus pictus scovazzi or Mediterranean Moroccan Painted Frog, occurring from sea level up to an elevation of 500m, although it is usually found below 100m. Discoglossus pictus scovazzi is found near water in open landscapes, in orchards and vineyards, as well as on campsites. They are also known to live and breed in slightly brackish water. Discoglossus pictus auritus or Mediterranean Spanish Painted Frog, in Europe, found in Spain,found in northern Africa in the province of Gerona,it is also found on the maltese islands. On Malta it is the only frog species and the other frog there is an alien spieces.

As the common name implies, these frogs can have colorful markings. There are three pattern variations in this species: almost uniformly colored animals; animals with large dark spots with bright edges and animals with two dark brown longitudinal bands, one bright band along the back and two bright bands along the sides. The belly is whitish. The body is stout with a flat head that is wider than it is long. The dorsal glands are arranged in longitudinal patterns along the back, or can be absent. The pupil is shaped like an upside-down droplet. In the Moroccan subspecies, sexual maturity is attained in one year. Mating in North Morocco takes place from January to early November. Copulation, in which the male clasps the female in the lumbar region lasts about 2 hr. Copulation in the Spanish specimens lasts only 35 s to 2 min. Females lay a total of 500 to 1000 eggs in one night of copulation. The females copulate with various males and each copulation a small clump of about 20 to 50 eggs are laid. The ovum diameter is usually 1-1.5mm; the gelatinous envelope 3-7mm. The eggs have no common envelope and form a loose mass on the water surface or may sink to the bottom. Eggs usually hatch in 2-6 days. Upon hatching, tadpoles are about 3mm in length. In 1-3 months, they grow to about 33mm and metamorphose into froglets of 10mm. In Sicily, many populations are associated with man-made water bodies such as stone-sided cisterns, irrigation pipes and canals in cultivated areas. They appear to be endangered by the decline of traditional methods of agriculture. However, populations that live along rivers, seasonal ponds and swamps seem to be less endangered. Populations of Discoglossus pictus pictus on Malta and Gozo are said to be threatened by a reduction of the ground-water levels. In order to be able to effectively protect this species, more data is needed about its ecology and biology. Discoglossus pictus seems to be associated with man-made water bodies, at least for part of its distribution.