Report of leucism in tadpoles of Ceratophrys stolzmanni (Amphibia, Anura, Ceratophryidae) in laboratory

Abstract

We report the first cases of leucism in Ceratophrys stolzmanni larvae. The leucistic individuals were recorded in an ex-situ population for conservation and research of the species, within the Conservation Initiative for Threatened Amphibians “Balsa de los Sapos” [Raft for Frogs] at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. These individuals presented different color traits from those of the same cohort and as they grew older their uniform white coloration was defined. The leucistic individuals died as tadpoles, after time periods that exceeded the ones reported and recorded for ending metamorphosis in the species, suggesting a link between the absence of pigmentation and a potential malfunction of the thyroid gland.