Mating and nesting behaviour, and early development in the tree frog Polypedates maculatus

Abstract

While the male of the tree frog, Polypedates maculatus, in axillary amplexus with female (l.e, with its vent closer to that of the female) constructs terrestrial foam nest by whipping up the released seminal fluid with its hind limbs, the female releases eggs (210 448) that are unpigmented. The duration of this process is about 2.5 h. The eggs complete their embryonic development in the foam nest within nine days, and the Iarvae complete their metamorphosis in 60 ± 10 days.