Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 84, December 2008, pp. 1-18. | Page 6

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In Palestine, it lives in the vicinity of the Dead Sea, Jordan Valley, Al-Ouja Valley,
northern Beer Al-Sabe’a/Beersheba, and Gaza Strip.

Marsh Frog. Foto: Jacob van der Weele, 2007.
http://www.treknature.com/gallery/photo137932.htm
6. Edible or Water Frog (Rana esculenta, Rana klepton esculenta or Pelophylax
klepton esculentus, Linneaus 1758):
The Edible Frog is a name for a common European frog, also known as the common
water frog or green frog. It is used for food, particularly in France for the delicacy frogs'
legs. Females are between 5 to 9 cm long, males between 6 to 13 cm. Males can be heard
calling during the breeding season, at this time they will also develop nuptial pads on the
first two digits of the forelimbs.
Pelophylax esculentus is the fertile hybrid of the Pool Frog (Pelophylax lessonae) and the
Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus), hence the addition of the "kl." (for klepton or
synklepton) in the species name. During the ice ages the population of the common
ancestor of both species was split into two. These populations diverged, but remained
genetically close enough to be able to create fertile hybrids. However, when edible frogs
mate with each other, their offspring are often misformed, so there are no pure
populations of edible frogs. The hybrid populations are propagated by female edible frogs
mating with males of one of the parental species.
In Palestine, it lives in the vicinity of the Dead Sea and Galilee.

Gazelle – Number 84 – December 2008