Pseudacris cadaverina

Duellman et al. (2016) moved this species from the genus Pseudacris to Hyliola, however both the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) and Amphibian Species of the World (ASW) have not accepted this change (Crother 2017, Frost 2020).

Formerly included in the genus Hyla; transferred to the genus Pseudacris by Hedges (1986), based on allozyme data (see also Highton 1991). Cocroft (1994) analyzed morphological and biochemical data and concluded that the Hyla regilla-Hyla cadaverina clade does not arise within the clade containing Pseudacris (traditional sense), P. ocularis, and P. crucifer; he suggested that the most conservative approach may be to leave regilla and cadaverina in the genus Hyla until their relationships are more clearly resolved. da Silva (1997) recommended that for now Hedges' (1986) definition of Pseudacris should be maintained.

A molecular phylogeny of Pseudacris based on mtDNA data (Moriarty and Cannatella 2004) revealed four strongly supported clades within Pseudacris: (1) A West Coast Clade containing regilla and cadaverina, (2) a Fat Frog Clade including ornata, streckeri, and illinoensis, (3) a Crucifer Clade consisting of crucifer and ocularis, and (4) a Trilling Frog Clade containing all other Pseudacris. Within the Trilling Frog Clade, brimleyi and brachyphona form the sister group to the Nigrita Clade: nigrita, feriarum, triseriata, kalmi, clarkii, and maculata. The Nigrita Clade shows geographic division into three clades: (1) populations of maculata and triseriata west of the Mississippi River and Canadian populations, (2) southeastern United States populations of feriarum and nigrita, and (3) northeastern United States populations of feriarum, kalmi, and triseriata. Current taxonomy does not reflect the phylogenetic relationships among populations of the Nigrita Clade (Moriarty and Canatella 2004). For example, the molecular data appear to indicate that triseriata, maculata, and clarkii in the western United States are conspecific, but the authors indicated that further sampling and analysis of the Trilling Frog Clade are needed before their relationships can be determined and an appropriate taxonomy established. Moriarty and Cannatella (2004) found that subspecific epithets for crucifer (crucifer and bartramiana) and nigrita (nigrita and verrucosa) are uninformative, and they therefore discouraged recognition of these subspecies. They concluded that further study is needed to determine if illinoensis warrants status as a distinct species. Molecular data were consistent with retention of regilla, cadaverina, ocularis, and crucifer in the genus Pseudacris.

Range extends from southwestern California south into northern Baja California Norte, Mexico. Elevational range extends from near sea level to about 2,290 meters (7,500 feet) (Stebbins 1985).

This species is represented by a large number of occurrences (subpopulations). Phillipsen and Metcalf (2009) mapped 46 locations across southern California from which specimens recently were collected.

The rugged habitat of this frog inhibits various kinds of habitat alterations that often occur in nearby relatively flat areas.

Under natural conditions, solar UV-B radiation reduces embryo survival; effects at the population level remain to be determined (Anzalone et al. 1998).

Ervin (2005) reported: "California treefrogs are difficult to find in presumably high-quality habitat where populations of non-native predatory fish have become established, suggesting that some populations may be experiencing declines (R. Fisher, personal communication; personal observations)." However, this species generally thrives in areas where frog breeding pools are relatively small and/or isolated and and not favorable for establishment of predatory fishes.