Some Argentine Anurans

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Matt Buckingham
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Some Argentine Anurans

Post by Matt Buckingham »

I just returned from a week long trip to Argentina. I didn't have too much time for herping or photography, but managed to get out to find a few Anurans and other odds and ends.

Rhinella schneideri are huge toads that rival Cane Toads in size, though I think that schneideri is more attractive.

This toad was a monster, one of the largest amphibians I've seen. Animals of this size have become uncommon in increasingly urban landscapes.

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Rhinella schneideri by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Rhinella schneideri by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

This animal was of average size for the species, though it was still very large by U.S. toad standard. This was one of the more handsomely patterned animals I've seen.

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Rhinella schneideri by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Rhinella schneideri by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

Rhinella arenarum were insanely common in the small town of Melincué where we stayed in a cabin in the outskirts of town.

This toad was absurdly obese, and was making a living feeding on baby toads.

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Rhinella arenarum by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

This species is highly variable in color and pattern.

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Rhinella arenarum by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Rhinella arenarum by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Rhinella arenarum by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

Rhinella fernandezae is highly fossorial, and this animal was found alongside a few others in a small burrow with just its head visible.

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Rhinella fernandezae by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

I also found two species of Leptodactylid frogs.

Leptodactylus latinasus is a small frog of open shrub and grassland habitat. They are locally common, and highly variabled.

This animal was particularly striking, though the photos don't do its colors justice.

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Leptodactylus latinasus by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

A more typically colored animal:

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Leptodactylus latinasus by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

Leptodactylus latrans is common adjacent to a number of different wetland habitats.

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Leptodactylus latrans by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Leptodactylus latrans by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

This species can get quite large (about the size of a medium-sized bullfrog)

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Leptodactylus latrans by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

Some non-herp shots:

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Burrowing Owl by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Diloboderus abderus by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Diloboderus abderus by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Diloboderus abderus by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Chromacris speciosa by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Palo Borracho by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Passionflower by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Passionflower by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

Thanks for looking!
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Mike VanValen
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Re: Some Argentine Anurans

Post by Mike VanValen »

Nice post. I appreciate the South American amphibians. At a quick glance I was sure that first L. latrans was a pickerel frog.
JohnU
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Re: Some Argentine Anurans

Post by JohnU »

Very nice pictures. I really like your lighting on a lot of these.
Matt Buckingham
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Re: Some Argentine Anurans

Post by Matt Buckingham »

Thanks guys. The similarity between latrans and some of our Ranids was interesting. Makes me ponder on mechanisms driving selection for the shared traits.
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jordo
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Re: Some Argentine Anurans

Post by jordo »

Awesome photos with great lighting. If you don't mind sharing your secrets what soft boxes (?) brackets etc are you using?
Cheers, Jordan
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Greg Huston
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Re: Some Argentine Anurans

Post by Greg Huston »

First rate shots :beer: I really like the toad pics, especially Rhinella fernandezae
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Antonsrkn
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Re: Some Argentine Anurans

Post by Antonsrkn »

I have seen these on flickr but its always good to see them again, especially considering that I was unfamiliar with all of these species prior to seeing your photos. Oh and goes without saying but amazing photography all around.
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justinm
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Re: Some Argentine Anurans

Post by justinm »

Mike VanValen wrote:Nice post. I appreciate the South American amphibians. At a quick glance I was sure that first L. latrans was a pickerel frog.
I couldn't agree more. Wonderfully crisp, beautiful pics. That's exactly what we've come to expect!
Matt Buckingham
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Re: Some Argentine Anurans

Post by Matt Buckingham »

Thanks guys.

Jordo: I'm using a Canon 7D and Canon 100mm f/2.8. Lighting is achieved with 2 Canon 430 EX flash units with Lumiquest Softbox III off camera triggered by the 7D's wireless function. I don't have a bracket, though I have been looking for one that I like. I've tried a few and have not been satisfied with them. For these images I've used equipment like backpacks, shoes, etc. to mount the flashes in the position I want.
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Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Some Argentine Anurans

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

JohnU wrote:Very nice pictures. I really like your lighting on a lot of these.
Hell yeah!
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