Pelophylax nigromaculatus

Pelophylax nigromaculatus (formerly Rana nigromaculata), is a species of true frog found in East Asia, first described in 1861. This widespread and common frog has many common names, including dark-spotted frog, black-spotted pond frog, and black-spotted frog.^[1][2]

It occurs across much of mainland eastern-northeastern China, the Amur River valley in Russia, the Korean Peninsula (including Ulleungdo Island),^[3] and most of Japan, with exceptions of Hokkaidō and the Ryukyu Islands.^[2][4] It has been considered the most-common of the true frogs on the Korean Peninsula, and has been hunted for food there for centuries, and, in modern times, used as an experimental animal.^[5] There are also introduced populations in Turkmenistan,^[4]Oahu, and Saipan.^[6]

The dark-spotted frog is a relatively low-altitude species, not being found above 2200 m. It ranges across a variety of habitats, from deserts and bushland to meadows and forests, and is typically found in or near stagnant or slow-moving water. Although relatively tolerant of human interference, it is increasingly threatened by hunting and water pollution.^[1]

Adult males measure about 62 mm (2.4 in) and females 74 mm (2.9 in) in snout–vent length.^[7] The dorsal colouration varies from grey to greyish-olive, olive, and green. There are usually large dark spots, a light mid-dorsal line, and two lines on dorso-lateral folds. The belly is white. The toes are webbed. Males have a paired vocal sac and nuptial pads on the first finger.^[4]

Mating season occurs soon after hibernation. Maturation probably occurs at an age of two years, and the total life span may reach 13 years.^[4] The clutch size has been reported as 1800–3000^[1] or 600–5000^[4] eggs. The eggs are laid in shallow water.^[1]

هذا النوع من الضفادع لا يتأثر بسم الدبور الآسيوي العملاق ، الذي يتغذى عليه. ^{[ 8 ]} ومن المعروف أن طفيلي أوبالينيد بروتوبالينا بينجي يتطفل على هذا الضفدع. ^{[ 9 ]}