Archeological Evidence for Dietary Use of Bigfoot Leopard Frog (Lithobates megapoda) in Postclassic and Colonial Central Mexico

Abstract

Analysis of archaeofaunal remains recovered from several geographically and culturally linked postclassic sites in the Laguna de Magdalena Basin, Jalisco, Mexico, reveals that indigenous agrarian people of this area incorporated substantial quantities of the robust bigfoot leopard frog (Lithobates megapoda) (Taylor 1942) in their diet during both prehispanic and colonial occupations. Even though residents of this area combined hunting and fishing with cultivation of both native and colonially introduced flora and fauna, more frog remains were recovered than any other small species. Furthermore, it appears that exploitation of the frog was most intensive during the colonial occupation. As in modern cuisine, the hindlimbs were the preferred portion. Mortuary frog effigies suggest that the frog may also have had iconic value.

Pre-Hispanic-to-Colonial Dietary Transitions at Etzatlan, Jalisco, Mexico

“…Canids, a variety of medium-size birds (most of which were waterfowl), and reptiles/amphibians (turtle and frog/toad) played minor roles in the diet. The turtle, frog, and toad remains are evidence of exploitation of the nearby aquatic resource area (see Porcasi 2010). One specimen in this collection was burned; none were cut or gnawed.…”

Explaining Toad Bones in Southern Appalachian Archaeological Deposits

“…Nontoxic bigfoot leopard frog ( Lithobates megapoda ) remains from three sites (Anona, Santiaguito, Las Cuevas) in the Laguna de Magdalena Basin of Jalisco, Mexico, spanning from the Postclassic to colonial era are also interpreted as food remains (Porcasi 2010). Anuran remains (NISP = 128) from the sites are primarily made up of bigfoot leopard frog specimens, but spadefoot ( Scaphiopus sp.)…”