The British Herpetological Society

The Herpetological Journal is the Society's prestigious quarterly scientific journal. Articles are listed in Biological Abstracts, Current Awareness in Biological Sciences,Current Contents, Science Citation Index, and Zoological Record.

 ISSN 0268-0130

2021 Impact Factor from Clarivate for the Herpetological Journal is 1.194, an increase of 0.332 from 2020.


pdf 09. Reproductive biology of the nest building vizcacheras frog Leptodactylus bufonius (Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae), including a description of unusual courtship behaviour

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pp. 73-80

Authors: Gabriel Faggioni, Franco Souza, Masao Uetanabaro, Paulo Landgref-Filho, Joe Furman & Cynthia Prado

Abstract:  We describe the reproductive biology and sexual size dimorphism of a population of the vizcacheras frog Leptodactylus bufonius in the Brazilian Chaco. Reproduction takes place during the rainy months (September–March). During courtship, females emit reciprocal calls and both sexes perform vibratory movements of the body; the latter is described for the first time in anurans. Amplexus and oviposition occurred inside subterranean chambers. The temperature in closed chambers was lower than outside chambers, which may aid in reducing desiccation risks of eggs and tadpoles. Females were larger than males, but males had longer heads and shorter tibias, which may be related to digging. The study reinforces the importance of ongoing discoveries on anuran natural history.

Key words: Chaco, natural history, sexual size dimorphism, subterranean chamber, vibratory movements

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IMPORTANT NOTE - JUNE 2020

Please note that as from Volume 31 Number 1 (January 2021) on, the Herpetological Journal will be available as an online publication only - the last print edition will be Volume 30 Number 4.   

Aligning with this change, it is now no longer possible to purchase a subscription that includes a print copy of the HJ.  All members who have existing HJ print subscriptions that remain active as at end June 2020 will receive the full four 2020 print editions.  New subscribers or renewals after this time will only have option to subscribe to the online only subscription package.  Subscription pricing has been amended to reflect the content changes.