Miscellaneous Notes on Indiana Amphibians and Reptiles

Abstract

Notes on amphibians and reptiles from central Indiana suggest that the Mitchell Plain, which is a weathered and undissected ridge extending from the Till Plains through the unglaciated plateau, may have functioned as a highway of dispersal for certain spp. normally restricted to either the glaciated or the unglaciated parts of the state. Indiana Acris from the central part of the state partake of the traits of A. ocularis crepitans and A. o. ocularis, and have only a partial resemblance to the newly-described A. o. blanchardi. The occurrence of harsh- and mellow-voiced Hyla v. versicolor is reported, and it is suggested that the harsh-voiced form may be a valid ssp., distinguishable from the mellow-voiced form on the basis of a proportionately longer 4th toe, proportionately greater interocular space, and relatively larger tympana and eyes. Two populations of the leopard frog are recognized: R. pipiens brachycephala and R. p. spheno-cephala; the subspecies are distinguishable by the relatively wider and shorter head, shorter tibia, and the presence of well-defined interorbital and internasal spots in brachycephala. Heterodon simus, Hyla squirella, and Micrurus f. fulvius arc deleted from the state list.