Cyprus marsh frog

Description:

Medium size amphibian with a body length ranging from 5-20cm (usually 9-10cm). The skin surface is smoother than the Green toad but less smooth than the Tree frog. The dorsal and lateral area of the body has green to brown coloration with green, brown and black spots. The abdominal region has usually whitish or yellow color.

Basic biology:

Widespread on the island. It occupies all the available water bodies (eg, rivers, ponds, reservoirs, dams, irrigation canals). Adults feed with terrestrial invertebrates and small vertebrates (birds, lizards) while tadpoles with algae, plant mater and small benthic invertebrates. Reproduction is carried out in standing water during the spring. Each female lays clumps of eggs that contain up to 10,000 eggs each. Tadpoles are hatched from the eggs and remain in the pond until there transformation into adults during late summer.

Distribution at Cyprus:

From the coast to an altitude of 1700m.

Global distribution:

West coast of Turkey, the eastern Aegean islands, Cyprus, eastern Mediterranean coast and Egypt

Condition:

Common

Protection status:

• Strictly protected by European directive 92/43/EC as Pelophylax ridibundus

Map of confirmed presence: