Key to the Ranidae of South Carolina

Key to the Ranidae of South Carolina

1. Dorsolateral ridges absent

1. Dorsolateral ridges present

2. Conspicuous white spots on lips, primarily dark pigment on venter

Lithobates heckscheri Lithobates heckscheri

2. White spots absent from lips

3. Light stripes present dorsolaterally

Lithobates virgatipes Lithobates virgatipes

3. Dorsum lacks stripes

4. Fourth toe extends well beyond webbing

Lithobates catesbeianus Lithobates catesbeianus

4. Webbing nearly reaches end of fourth toe

Lithobates grylio Lithobates grylio

5. Dark mask extending through eye

Lithobates sylvaticus Lithobates sylvaticus

5. Dark mask absent

6. Venter is mottled with dark spots

Lithobates capito Lithobates capito

6. Venter is primarily white or contains dark worm-like markings

7. Dorsolateral ridges end on dorsum

Lithobates clamitans Lithobates clamitans

7. Dorsolateral ridges extend to hind legs

8. Yellow coloration on inner thighs, typically squarish twin spots on dorsum

Lithobates palustris Lithobates palustris

8. Typically offset round spots on dorsum

Lithobates sphenocephalus Lithobates sphenocephalus