Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer  (Wied-Neuwied, 1838)
An adult specimen from Kansas Image © Suzanne L. Collins, 2001
Taxonomic Comments:
Austin, James D., Stephen C. Lougheed, Lindsay Neidrauer, Andrew A. Chek, and Peter T. Boag (2002 Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 25(2): 316-329), using mtDNA, presented evidence that this frog contains four distinct clades, but did not formally name them pending future research. In addition, they presented evidence that the subspecies P. c. bartramiana should not be recognized. Moriarty, Emily C. and David. C. Cannatella (2004. Phylogenetic relationships of the North American chorus frogs (Pseudacris: Hylidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 30(2): 409-420) recommended that this taxon be retained in the genus Pseudacris. In addition, they presented evidence that the subspecies P. c. bartramiana should not be recognized. Collins & Taggart (2009 Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Sixth Edition) submitted for consideration the proposals to synonymize P. c. bartramiana by Austin et al. (2002 op. cit.) and Moriarty and Cannatella (2004 op. cit.) to an anuran systematist group composed of Rafael de Sa, Julian Faivovich, Tony Gamble, Anna Goebel, S. Blair Hedges, Paul E. Moler, Emily C. Moriarty Lemmon, Gregory Pauly, and Brian K. Sullivan, and a majority of those responding agreed.