Supposedly Russian frog

[greg]

A local (US) pet store has about 30 frogs that were supposedly exported from Ukraine. They look kinda like Discoglossus, but may not be. They also look vaguely like strange little Rana with VERY large webbed feet, smooth skin (some have bumps, but most don't). Some have stripes, some don't. What are they? I think the pet store is selling them is "Russian water frog" or something like that.

I've exhausted the keys that I have. Any ideas?

greg

[caleb]

They sound like one (or more!) of the European water frog group: Rana ridibunda, R. lessonae, etc.

These are amazingly variable, and genetically complex. There's some information on the group here:
http://evolution.genetics.washington.edu/waterfrogs.html

One thing all of these species have in common is that the males have two vocal sacs, one at each corner of the mouth.

[greg]

I've done a bit more digging and assumed that the vendor was wrong. they most closely resemble a member of Occidozyga, probably lima. Does anyone have a key to these guys? the only ones I have are written in Chinese.... and unfortunately I do not read that.

greg

[matt]

G'day Greg,

You may find these helpful, if you are unaware of them...

http://frogweb.org/index.html

http://www.wildherps.com/species/O.lima.html (may allow you to get in touch with a local expert)

http://www.ecologyasia.com/FOW_Pages/singapore-amphibians.htm - nothing on lima but a great site