Pseudacris brachyphona
Mountain Chorus Frog

Pseudacris brachyphona, the mountain chorus frog, is found in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America. They can be found from northwestern Pennsylvania to central Alabama. (Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Jensen, et al., 2008; Walker, 1932)

Mountain chorus frogs live mostly in higher elevations throughout Appalachia and have been discovered at elevations as high as 1050 meters. During their mating season, their most common habitats are small grassy vernal ponds or temporary rainwater pools. After the mating season, they travel to higher elevations and drier land. Eggs and tadpoles live in breeding pools until they undergo metamorphosis. When tadpoles morph into adults they also choose upland habitats. (Barbour, 1957; Conant and Collins, 1998; Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Jensen, et al., 2008)

Mountain chorus frogs are relatively small frogs. Although, the average mass could not be found, adult male total body length ranges from 26 to 30 mm and adult females from 28 to 34 mm. Coloring varies among individuals, but most are light brown with stripes or spots of varying shades of brown along their backs. They tend to have a stripe that starts along their snouts and runs across their eyes and back, blending into their dorsal patterning. Their legs are usually yellow and their throats can be between yellow and black (males) or white (females). Coloration also varies with age. (Barbour, 1957; Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Walker, 1932)

Mountain chorus frogs goes through the process of metamorphosis during their life cycle. Shortly after mating, females lay their eggs in clutches near the water’s edge in the breeding pond. Hatching occurs 6 to 10 days after the eggs are laid. The fully aquatic, gilled tadpoles live in the pond. During this period of growth, which lasts 50 to 60 days, tadpoles grow in size and start to develop hind legs. The frog’s legs bud when the tadpole is approximately 19 mm long. As the legs grow, the tail of the tadpole decreases in size until it is completely gone. Once the frog’s legs have formed, the lungs gradually replace the gills as a means of respiration. Once the lungs are fully formed, the frogs move outside of the water only returning to water to mate. (Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Gaudin, 1974; Platz and Forester, 1988; Walker, 1932)

Mountain chorus frogs begin their breeding season from early spring (around February) into late spring (June). During this time, males and females can mate multiple times but females generally only produce one clutch of eggs. Males begin the mating season by locating small breeding ponds. Once they find a suitable habitat they begin calling; this is the main way the males attract females. Females arrive at these pools and are greeted by males who grasp onto their backs to begin the mating ritual. After mating, males try to attract other females for mating. After breeding, females and males return to their terrestrial, forested habitats. (Green, 1938; Platz and Forester, 1988)

Mountain chorus frogs breed once a year from late winter to early summer. Females lay their eggs in small clutches of 10 to 50 individual eggs. They lay multiple clutches, adding up to around 300 offspring that begin to hatch 5 to 7 days after they are laid. (Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Elliott, 2004; Green, 1938; Jensen, et al., 2008; Platz and Forester, 1988)

There is little parental care given to the offspring of Pseudacris brachyphona. After mating, males and females return to dry forested habitats. (Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Green, 1938; Jensen, et al., 2008; Platz and Forester, 1988)

Many mountain chorus frogs die while in the egg or tadpole stage, only 15 percent reaching adulthood. If they reach sexual maturity, the mortality rate for these frogs is decreased to nearly half of that for juveniles. Average lifespan is approximately 5 years for those that reach adulthood, with some reaching 7 years. (Green, 1938; Green, 1938)

Most information on mountain chorus frogs show that they are relatively solitary animals, only interacting with other members of the species during mating season. Males interact in the vernal ponds only when it's necessary to defend the areas in which they breed. (Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Green, 1938; Mitchell and Reay, 1999; Platz and Forester, 1988)

Mountain chorus frogs do not defend territories, although males may defend small areas in breeding ponds. They are also not thought to wander far from forested areas near potential breeding ponds. (Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Green, 1938)

Mountain chorus frogs generally only communicate with other individuals during the breeding season. Males use a call that is specific to their species in order to attract mates. The call has been described as distinct high-pitched chirps that are slightly shrill. The succession of their calls is rapid, occurring at a rate of 50 to 70 times a minute but lasts no more than 20 seconds. It is not known if P. brachyphona uses any other means of communication. (Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Elliott, 2004; Green, 1938; Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Elliott, 2004; Green, 1938)

Mountain chorus frogs rely mostly on insects as a food source. They eat beetles, which make up about 45 percent of their diet. Other prey items include spiders (25 percent), bugs (13 percent), ants, leafhoppers, fliescentipedes, earthworms, and butterfly and moth larvae makes up the other 17 percent. (Cocroft, 1994; Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Jensen, et al., 2008)

As tadpoles, mountain chorus frogs are preyed on by a wide range of potential predators near breeding pools, including fish, predatory insects, and other frogs. As they mature, predators are limited to larger frogs and snakes. American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) are known predators. Their only known anti-predation adaptation would be using the coloration of their skin as camouflage. (Jensen, et al., 2008; Walker, 1932)

Mountain chorus frogs help control the populations of some species of insects found throughout their range as they prey on them. They are also prey to other frogs. Although parasite loads for this species is unknown, nematodes and trematodes have been found inside other species in the genus Pseudacris. (Goldberg, et al., 1996; Jensen, et al., 2008; Walker, 1932; Whitaker Jr., 1971)

Mountain chorus frogs feed on insects and help control pests. (Cocroft, 1994; Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Jensen, et al., 2008; Walker, 1932)

There are no known adverse effects of mountain chorus frogs on humans.

Mountain chorus frogs are listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List and are not mentioned on any of the other conservation lists. They are not currently considered to be in danger of extinction.