# Southern leopard frog

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{{Short description|Species of amphibian}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Southern_Leopard_Frog,_Missouri_Ozarks.JPG
| image_caption = Near the [Ozarks](/source/Ozarks) in [Missouri](/source/Missouri)
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn|author=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group|year=2021|title=''Lithobates sphenocephalus''|article-number=e.T58723A177496797|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T58723A177496797.en|access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref>
| status2 = G5
| status2_system = TNC
| status2_ref = <ref name=NS>{{cite NatureServe |id=2.104396 |title=''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref>
| genus = Lithobates
| species = sphenocephalus
| authority = ([Cope](/source/Edward_Drinker_Cope), 1889)
| synonyms = *''Rana sphenocephala'' <small>Cope, 1886</small>
*''Rana halecina''<br/><small>[Holbrook](/source/John_Edwards_Holbrook), 1842</small>
*''Rana halecina sphenocephala''<br/><small>[Cope](/source/Edward_Drinker_Cope), 1886<ref>Stejneger, L.H. and T. Barbour. (1917). ''A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles.'' Harvard University Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. p. 39</ref></small>
*''Rana utricularia sphenocephala''<br/><small>Pace, 1974</small>
}}

'''''Lithobates sphenocephalus'''''<ref name=iucn/><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Frost|first=D.-R.|display-authors=etal|date=2009|title=Response to the Point Of View of Gregory B. Pauly, David M. Hillis, and David C. Cannatella, by the Anuran Subcommittee of the SSRA/HL/ASIH Scientific and Standard English Names List|journal=Herpetologica|volume=65|issue=2|doi=10.1655/09-009R1.1|pages=136–153|s2cid=55147982}}</ref> or '''''Rana sphenocephala''''',<ref>Hillis & Wilcox (2005), Hillis (2007), Stuart (2008), Pauly et al. (2009), AmphibiaWeb (2016)</ref><ref name="Yuan16">{{Cite journal|last=Yuan|first=Z.-Y.|display-authors=etal|date=2016|title=Spatiotemporal diversification of the true frogs (genus Rana): A historical framework for a widely studied group of model organisms.|journal=Systematic Biology|volume=65|issue=5|doi=10.1093/sysbio/syw055|pmid=27288482|pages=824–842|doi-access=free|hdl=2292/43460|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name="am">{{cite web |title=''Rana sphenocephala'' |url=https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Rana&where-species=sphenocephala |website=amphibiaweb.org |publisher=AmphibiaWeb |access-date=26 December 2018}}</ref> commonly known as the '''southern leopard frog''', is a medium-sized [anuran](/source/anuran) in the family [Ranidae](/source/Ranidae) (the true frogs). The southern leopard frog is one of the 36 species currently or formerly classified in the ''Rana'' genus found in North America.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Conlon |first1=J.M.|last2=Halverson|first2=T.|last3=Dulka|first3=J.|last4=Platz|first4=J.E.|last5=Knoop|first5=F.C.|year=1999 |title=Peptides of antimicrobial activity of the brevinin-1 family isolated from skin secretions of the southern leopard frog, ''Rana sphenocephala''|volume=54|issue=6|pages=522–527|journal=The Journal of Peptide Research|doi=10.1034/j.1399-3011.1999.00123.x}}</ref> It is native to eastern [North America](/source/North_America) from [Kansas](/source/Kansas) to [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey) to [Florida](/source/Florida). It is also an [introduced species](/source/introduced_species) in some areas.<ref name=iucn/> 

== Description ==
This frog is up to {{cvt|13|cm|abbr=on}} long. Males at sexual maturity average {{Convert|52.9|mm|abbr=on}}  snout to vent length and females average {{Convert|63.8|mm|abbr=on}} SVL.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hughes |first1=Daniel Frederick |last2=Meshaka Jr. |first2=Walter |last3=Delis |first3=Pablo R. |title=Reproduction and growth of the Southern Leopard Frog, <em>Lithobates sphenocephalus</em> (Cope, 1886), in Virginia: implications for seasonal shifts in response to global climate change |journal=Basic and Applied Herpetology |date=2017-06-06 |volume=31}}</ref> It is green or brown in color with a yellowish ridge along each side of the back. Rounded dark spots occur on the back and sides; a light spot is seen on each [tympanum](/source/Tympanum_(anatomy)). The male has larger fore limbs than the female. The breeding male's vocal sacs are spherical when inflated. The call is described as a "ratchet-like trill",<ref name=ns>NatureServe. 2015. [http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=rana+sphenocephala ''Lithobates sphenocephalus''.] NatureServe Explorer Version 7.1. Accessed 15 June 2016.</ref> "chuckling croak",<ref name=srel>Norman, C. [http://srelherp.uga.edu/anurans/ransph.htm Southern Leopard Frog (''Rana'' (''Lithobates'') ''sphenocephala'').] Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. University of Georgia.</ref> or a "squeaky balloon-like sound".<ref name=fla>[http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/southernleopardfrog.shtml Southern Leopard Frog (''Lithobates sphenocephalus'').] Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. University of Florida.</ref>

The [larva](/source/larva) is mottled, and the eyes are positioned on the top of the head. It grows to {{cvt|7.6|cm|abbr=on}} in length before maturing. The female lays an egg mass that is "baseball-sized" when close to hatching time, and contains up to 1,500 eggs.<ref name=ns/> Some [larva](/source/larva), eggs and embryos may be exposed to pesticides during their development causing significant mortality and developmental deformity.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Bridges, C. M.|year=2000|title=Long-Term Effects of Pesticide Exposure at Various Life Stages of the Southern Leopard Frog (''Rana sphenocephala'')|journal=Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology|volume=39|issue=1|pages=91–96|doi=10.1007/s002440010084}}</ref>

It is possible to confuse this species for the similarly shaped and colored [pickerel Frog](/source/Pickerel_frog) (''Lithobates palustris''). However, pickerel frogs dark spots along their back are more rectangular, uniform, and form rows. The spot in the center of their tympanum, if present, is a dark green/brown rather than a stark white.<ref>{{cite web |title=Southern Leopard Frog |url=https://www.ncwildlife.org/species/southern-leopard-frog |website=North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref> Southern Leopard Frogs may also be confused with the [Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog](/source/Atlantic_Coast_leopard_frog) (Lithobates kauffeldi) in the northern portion of its range. Where both species occur, it may be impossible to confidently distinguish the two. However, Southern Leopard Frogs have a lighter femoral reticulum (inner thigh), more elongate snout, and light spot on the tympanum.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Schlesinger, M. |author2=Feinberg, J. A. |author3=Nazdrowicz, N. H. |author4=Kleopfer, J. D. |author5=Beane, J. C. |author6=Bunnell, J. F. |author7=Burger, J. |author8=Corey, E. |author9=Gipe, K. |author10=Jaycox, J. W. |author11=Kiviat, E. |author12=Kubel, J. E. |author13=Quinn, D. P. |author14=Raithel, C. J. |author15=Scott, P. |display-authors=6 |year=2018 |title=Follow-up ecological studies for cryptic species discoveries: Decrypting the leopard frogs of the eastern U.S. |journal=PLoS ONE |volume=13 |issue=11 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0205805 |pmc=6226167 |doi-access=free |article-number=e0205805 |author16=Wenner, S. M. |author17=White, E. L. |author18=Zarate, B. |author19=Shaffer, H. B.}}</ref>

== Ecology and behavior ==
This frog lives in many types of shallow [freshwater](/source/fresh_water) habitat and sometimes in slightly brackish water. They usually look for wetter environments that have herbaceous plant cover and low canopy.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Pitt, A. L.|author2=Tavano, J. J.|author3=Baldwin, R. F.|author4=Stegenga, B. S.|year=2017|title=Movement Ecology and Habitat Use of Three Sympatric Anuran Species|journal=Herpetological Conservation and Biology|volume=12|issue=1|pages=212–224|s2cid=165161178|url=https://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_12/Issue_1/Pitt_etal_2017.pdf|access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref> It is usually found close to water, but it can stay on dry land for long periods of time.<ref name=srel/> During warmer months, it moves away from the water for most of the time,<ref name=ch/> It is mostly nocturnal,<ref name=ch>[http://californiaherps.com/frogs/pages/l.sphenocephalus.html ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' &ndash; Southern Leopard Frog.] California Herps.</ref> but it can be active during the day and the night, especially during rainfall. It breeds in the winter and spring, and sometimes in the fall. While there is a relationship between month and breeding activity, mean daily precipitation is the main factor that determines breeding activity.<ref name=srel/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Steen |first1=David A. |last2=McClure |first2=Christopher J.W. |last3=Graham |first3=Sean P. |date={{date|April 2013}} |title=Relative influence of weather and season on anuran calling activity |journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology |volume=91 |issue=7 |pages=462–467 |doi=10.1139/cjz-2012-0266 |issn=0008-4301}}</ref> They have been observed depositing eggs communally in cold weather but independently in warm weather<ref>Caldwell, Janalee P.. “Selection of Egg Deposition Sites: A Seasonal Shift in the Southern Leopard Frog, Rana sphenocephala.” Copeia 1986 (1986): 249-253.</ref>. Breeding can occur throughout the year in southern states but typically occurs in early spring<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Erdmann|first1=J.A.|last2=Godwin|first2=C.D.|last3=Villalba-Guerra|first3=M.R.|last4=Campbell|first4=D.C.|last5=Donini|first5=J.|last6=Parker|first6=C.E.|last7=Rupp|first7=A.E.E.|last8=Weyand|first8=C.A.|last9=Partin|first9=M.A.J.|last10=Borgardt|first10=T.|last11=Beachy|first11=C.K.|title=Larval Life History of ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' (southern leopard frog) in southeast Louisiana |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |date=2018 |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=221–229 |doi=10.1656/058.017.0204|jstor=26496226}}</ref> Mating takes place from February to December with a peak from April to August<ref>Wright, Anna Allen, and Albert Hazen Wright. Handbook of Frogs and Toads of the United States and Canada. Comstock Publishing Co., 1933. Internet Archive</ref>. with both sexes having their lowest fat storage during late-winter-spring, indicative of the commencement of breeding.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Meshaka |first1=Walter |last2=Delis |first2=Pablo |last3=Hughes |first3=Daniel |title=Reproduction and growth of the Southern Leopard Frog, Lithobates sphenocephalus, in Virginia: implications for seasonal shifts in response to global climate change |journal=Basic and Applied Herpetology |date=2017-06-06 |volume=31 |doi=10.11160/bah.53|doi-access=free }}</ref>
The southern populations breed the longest.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hughes|first1=Daniel Frederick|last2=Meshaka Jr.|first2=Walter E.|last3=Delis|first3=Pablo R.|title=Reproduction and growth of the Southern Leopard Frog, ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' (Cope, 1886), in Virginia: implications for seasonal shifts in response to global climate change|pages=17–31|journal=Basic and Applied Herpetology|year=2017|volume=31|doi=10.11160/bah.53|doi-access=free}}</ref>
They can breed in a variety of aquatic habitats ranging from ephemeral to permanent.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Adams, C.K.|author2=Saenz, D.|name-list-style=amp|year=2012|title=Leaf litter of invasive Chinese tallow (''Triadica sebifera'') negatively affects hatching success of an aquatic breeding anuran, the Southern Leopard Frog (''Lithobates sphenocephalus'')|journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology|volume=90|issue=8|pages=991–998|doi=10.1139/z2012-067}}</ref> The egg mass is connected to aquatic vegetation.<ref name=fla/> It typically nests communally in cooler weather, and individually in warmer weather.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Malcolm L. |last1=McCallum |first2=Stanley E. |last2=Trauth |first3=Michelle N. |last3=Mary |first4=Charles |last4=McDowell |first5=Benjamin A. |last5=Wheeler |title=Fall breeding of the southern leopard frog (''Rana sphenocephala'') in northeastern Arkansas |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |doi=10.1656/1528-7092(2004)003[0401:FBOTSL]2.0.CO;2 |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=401–408 |year=2004|s2cid=86233608 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first1=Matthew R. |last1=Pintar |first2=William J. |last2=Resetarits |year=2018 |title=Variation in pond hydroperiod affects larval growth in southern leopard frogs, ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' |journal=Copeia |volume=106 |issue=1 |pages=70–76 |doi=10.1643/CE-17-696|s2cid=53590323 }}</ref> Communal egg deposition in cooler temperatures is thought to be an adaptation for increased egg and embryo survival, creating a thermal advantage, similar to that of the [Wood frog](/source/Wood_frog).<ref>{{cite journal | jstor=1444923 | title=Selection of Egg Deposition Sites: A Seasonal Shift in the Southern Leopard Frog, Rana sphenocephala | last1=Caldwell | first1=Janalee P. | journal=Copeia | year=1986 | volume=1986 | issue=1 | pages=249–253 | doi=10.2307/1444923 }}</ref> Eggs hatch in 4 days to nearly two weeks.<ref name=ch/> It has been shown that ''L. sphenocephalus'' eggs hatch more quickly in response to the presence of predators such as crayfish.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Saenz |first1=Daniel |title=Accelerated Hatching of Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Eggs in Response to the Presence of a Crayfish (Procambarus nigrocinctus) Predator |journal=Copeia |date=September 1, 2003 |volume=2003 |issue=3|pages=646–649 |doi=10.1643/CE-02-172R1 |s2cid=86158871 |url=https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1150&context=biology |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Invasive [Chinese tallow](/source/Triadica_sebifera) also affect the survival of Leopard frog eggs due to the leaves affecting the dissolved oxygen in water, where young eggs do not survive but more developed eggs may survive.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Adams |first=C.K |last2=Saenz |first2=Daniel |date=2012 |title=Leaf litter of invasive Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) negatively affects hatching success of an aquatic breeding anuran, the Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237973930 |journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology |volume=90 |issue=8 |pages=991-998 |via=Research Gate}}</ref> The tadpoles take 50 to 75 days to develop to adulthood.<ref name=ch/> High protein diets lead to better disease resistance in tadpoles<ref>Venesky, M. D., Wilcoxen, T. E., Rensel, M. A., Rollins-Smith, L., Kerby, J. L., & Parris, M. J. (2012). Dietary protein restriction impairs growth, immunity, and disease resistance in southern leopard frog tadpoles. Oecologia, 169(1), 23–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-2171-1
</ref>

In northern parts of its range, it is dormant during the winter, where it remains in well-oxygenated, unfrozen water bodies.<ref name=ch/> The recorded highest altitude of this species is 1,000 feet.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pickens |first=A. L. |date=1927 |title=Amphibians of Upper South Carolina |journal=Copeia |issue=165 |pages=106–110 |doi=10.2307/1437105 |jstor=1437105 |issn=0045-8511}}</ref>

Southern leopard frogs feed primarily on [insect](/source/insect)s, [crayfish](/source/crayfish), and other [invertebrate](/source/invertebrate)s. As tadpoles they are herbivores, and transition to a carnivorous diet as they age.<ref>Venesky, M. D., Wilcoxen, T. E., Rensel, M. A., Rollins-Smith, L., Kerby, J. L., & Parris, M. J. (2012). Dietary protein restriction impairs growth, immunity, and disease resistance in southern leopard frog tadpoles. Oecologia, 169(1), 23–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-2171-1
</ref> They forage in upland areas during the summer.<ref name="am"/> In other parts of their range, their diet consists mainly of spiders, beetles, and gastropods such as snails.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Forstner |first1=J.M.|last2=Forstner |first2=M.R.J.|last3=Dixon |first3=J.R.|title=Ontogenetic effects on prey selection and food habits of two sympatric East Texas ranids: the southern leopard frog, ''Rana sphenocephala'', and the bronze frog, ''Rana clamitans clamitans''|journal=Herpetological Review |date=1998 |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=208–211|url=https://archive.org/details/Herpetological_Review_1-46/Herpetological_Review_26-33/page/n1205/mode/2up|access-date=24 July 2024|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

Studies involving southern leopard frogs found that geographically separated populations produce distinct numbers and combinations of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in response to growing infection rate of fungal pathogen ''Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis''. These AMPs mature and are excreted around 12-weeks post-metamorphosis.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Holden |first1=Whitney M. |last2=Reinhart |first2=Laura K. |last3=Hanlon |first3=Shane M. |last4=Parris |first4=Matthew J. |last5=Rollins-Smith |first5=Louise A. |title=Development of antimicrobial peptide defenses of southern leopard frogs, Rana sphenocephala, against the pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis |journal=Developmental & Comparative Immunology |date=January 2015 |volume=48 |issue=1 |page=65-75}}</ref>

==Range==
This frog is widespread across eastern North America, especially the Southeast US. It is the most [common frog](/source/common_frog) in [Florida](/source/Florida) and several other regions. It is an introduced species in The [Bahamas](/source/Bahamas), in Arizona<ref name=iucn/> and at two locations in California. Southern leopard frogs are believed to have been introduced to the [Prado Flood Control Basin](/source/Prado_Reservoir) via a shipment of aquatic fauna to the Chino Gun Club in 1929 or 1930; they are now common in areas of the basin undergoing urbanization.<ref name=ch/> Loss of forests is a concern as it is among the leading cause of population decline.<ref>Graeter, G. J., Rothermel, B. B., & Gibbons, J. W. (2008). Habitat selection and movement patterns of southern leopard frogs (Rana sphenocephala) in a managed forest landscape. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 72(2), 473–482. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25097563</ref> A second established population of the species in California is now suspected, following the March 2016 discovery of two females in the [San Joaquin River](/source/San_Joaquin_River) just northwest of Fresno on the border between Madera and Fresno Counties.<ref name=ch/> A third species has recently discovered in southern New York, northern New Jersey, and western Connecticut. <ref>Goldberg, S. R. (2022). Notes on reproduction of the southern leopard frog, Lithobates sphenocephalus (Anura: Ranidae), from Oklahoma. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, 35, 58–61.</ref>

== Subspecies ==
The subspecies are:<ref name=ch/>
*''L. s. sphenocephalus'' &ndash; Florida leopard frog<ref>{{cite web |last1=Meade |first1=Thomas |title=Lithobates sphenocephalus sphenocephalus (Florida Leopard Frog) |url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lithobates_sphenocephalus_sphenocephalus/ |website=Animal Diversity Web |language=en}}</ref> 
*''L. s. utricularius'' &ndash; Southern leopard frog<ref>{{cite web |title=NatureServe Explorer 2.0 |url=https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.856964/Lithobates_sphenocephalus_utricularius |website=explorer.natureserve.org}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Southern Leopard Frog - Lithobates sphenocephalus, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Woodbridge, Virginia (39430233694).jpg|Southern Leopard Frog (''Lithobates sphenocephalus''), Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Woodbridge, Virginia
Lithobates sphenocephalus metamorph.JPG|A metamorph
Rana sphenocephala egg mass.JPG|Egg mass
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Wikispecies|Rana sphenocephala}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* AmphibiaWeb, available at http://amphibiaweb.org/
*{{cite journal | last1 = Cope | first1 = E. D. | year = 1886 | title = Synonymic list of the North American species of ''Bufo'' and ''Rana'', with descriptions of some new species of ''Batrachia'', from specimens in the National Museum | url = http://nolan.acnatsci.org/record=b1064581 | journal = Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society | volume = 23 | issue = 124| pages = 514–26 }}
*{{cite journal |pages=39–63 |doi=10.1146/annurev.es.19.110188.000351 |jstor=2097147 |title=Systematics of the ''Rana pipiens'' Complex: Puzzle and Paradigm |year=1988 |author=Hillis DM |author-link=David Hillis |journal=Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics |volume=19}}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Hillis | first1 = D. M. | year = 2007 | title = Constraints in naming parts of the Tree of Life | url = http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/679.pdf | journal = [Mol. Phylogenet. Evol.](/source/Molecular_Phylogenetics_and_Evolution) | volume = 42 | issue = 2| pages = 331–338 | doi = 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.08.001 | pmid = 16997582 }}
*{{cite journal |jstor=2413277 |last1=Hillis |first1=David M. |last2=Frost |first2=John S. |last3=Wright |first3=David A. |title=Phylogeny and Biogeography of the ''Rana pipiens'' Complex: A Biochemical Evaluation |volume=32 |issue=2 |journal=Systematic Zoology |year=1983 |pages=132–43 |doi=10.1093/sysbio/32.2.132 }}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Hillis | first1 = D. M. | last2 = Wilcox | first2 = T. P. | year = 2005 | title = Phylogeny of the New World true frogs (''Rana'') | url = http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/215.pdf | journal = [Mol. Phylogenet. Evol.](/source/Molecular_Phylogenetics_and_Evolution) | volume = 34 | issue = 2| pages = 299–314 | doi = 10.1016/j.ympev.2004.10.007 | pmid = 15619443 }}
*{{cite journal | last1 = Newman | first1 = C. E. | last2 = Rissler | first2 = L. J. | year = 2011 | title = Phylogeographic analyses of the southern leopard frog: the impact of geography and climate on the distribution of genetic lineages vs. subspecies | journal = Molecular Ecology | volume = 20 | issue = 24| pages = 5295–5312 | pmid = 22066968 | doi=10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05353.x| bibcode = 2011MolEc..20.5295N | s2cid = 32534906 }}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Pauly | first1 = Greg B. | last2 = Hillis | first2 = David M. | last3 = Cannatella | first3 = David C. | year = 2009 | title = Taxonomic freedom and the role of official lists of species names | url = http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/1225.pdf | journal = Herpetologica | volume = 65 | issue =  2| pages = 115–128 | doi = 10.1655/08-031r1.1 | s2cid = 283839 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726155045/http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/1225.pdf | archive-date = 2011-07-26 }}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Stuart | first1 = Bryan L | year = 2008 | title = The phylogenetic problem of ''Huia'' (Amphibia: Ranidae) | journal = [Mol. Phylogenet. Evol.](/source/Molecular_Phylogenetics_and_Evolution) | volume = 46 | issue = 1| pages = 49–60 | doi = 10.1016/j.ympev.2007.09.016 | pmid=18042407}}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Yuan | first1 = Z.-Y. | last2 = Zhou | first2 = W.-W. | last3 = Chen | first3 = X. | last4 = Poyarkov | first4 = N. A. | last5 = Chen | first5 = H.-M. | last6 = Jang-Liaw | first6 = N.-H. | last7 = Chou | first7 = W.-H. | last8 = Iizuka | first8 = K. | last9 = Min | first9 = M.-S. | last10 = Kuzmin | first10 = S. L. | last11 = Zhang | first11 = Y.-P. | last12 = Cannatella | first12 = D. C. | last13 = Hillis | first13 = D. M. | last14 = Che | first14 = J. | year = 2016 | title = Spatiotemporal diversification of the true frogs (genus ''Rana''): A historical framework for a widely studied group of model organisms | journal = Systematic Biology | volume =  65| issue = 5| pages =  824–842| doi = 10.1093/sysbio/syw055 | pmid=27288482| doi-access = free | hdl = 2292/43460 | hdl-access = free }}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q3020577}}

Category:Lithobates
Category:Amphibians described in 1886
Category:Fauna of the Southeastern United States
Category:Taxa named by Edward Drinker Cope

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Southern leopard frog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_leopard_frog) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_leopard_frog?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.