Lateral views of the heads of Smilisca: (A) S. baudini (KU 87177); (B) S. sordida (KU 91765); (C) S. phaeota (KU 64276); (D) S. puma (KU 91716); (E) S. cyanosticta (KU 87199); (F) S. sila (KU 77408). ×3.2.
Aside from the skeleton referred to as Smilisca daulinia by Cope (1865:194), we have examined each of the types of the species synonymized with S. baudini. All unquestionably are representatives of S. baudini.
Taylor (1942:306) named Hyla beltrani from Tapachula, Chiapas. This specimen (UIMNH 25046) is a small female (snout-vent length, 44 mm.) of S. baudini. Taylor (1954:630) named Hyla manisorum from Batán, Limón, Costa Rica. The type (KU 34927) is a large female (snout-vent length, 75.3 mm.) S. baudini. In this specimen and a male from Suretka, Costa Rica, the usual dorsal color pattern is absent, but the distinctive curved supraorbital processes, together with other structural features, show that the two specimens are S. baudini.
Hyla baudini dolomedes Barbour (1923:11), as shown by Dunn (1931a:413), was based on a specimen of Smilisca phaeota from Río Esnápe, Darién, Panamá.
Fig. 1. Map showing locality records for Smilisca baudini.
Distribution.—Smilisca baudini inhabits lowlands and foothills usually covered by xerophytic vegetation or savannas, but in the southern part of its range baudini inhabits tropical evergreen forest. The species ranges throughout the Pacific and Atlantic lowlands of México from southern Sonora and the Río Grande embayment of Texas southward to Costa Rica, where on the Pacific lowlands the range terminates at the southern limits of the arid tropical forest in the vicinity of Esparta; on the Caribbean lowlands the distribution seems to be discontinuous southward to Suretka (Fig. 1). Most localities where the species has been collected are at elevations of less than 1000 meters. Three localities are notably higher; calling males were found at small temporary ponds in pine-oak forest at Linda Vista, 2 kilometers northwest of Pueblo Nuevo Solistahuacán, Chiapas, elevation 1675 meters, and 10 kilometers northwest of Comitán, Chiapas, at an elevation of 1925 meters. Tadpoles and metamorphosing young were obtained from a pond in arid scrub forest, 17 kilometers northeast of Juchatengo, Oaxaca, elevation 1600 meters. Stuart (1954:46) recorded the species at elevations up to 1400 meters in the south-eastern highlands of Guatemala.
Specimens examined.—3006, as follows: United States: Texas: Cameron County, Brownsville, CNHM 5412-3, 6869, UMMZ 54036, USNM 3256.