Hemiphractus fasciatus

Hemiphractus fasciatus, or the banded horned treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hemiphractidae. It is found in northwestern Ecuador and possibly the Pacific slopes of the Cordillera Occidental in Colombia; although formerly listed for Panama, this involves the similar and closely related H. elioti (western Panama), H. kaylockae (far southeastern Panama) and H. panamensis (eastern Panama).[1][3][4][5] It is a relatively large frog that may readily bite.[5]

Hemiphractus fasciatus
Hemiphractus elioti, which is similar to—and formerly was included in—H. fasciatus[1]

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hemiphractidae
Genus: Hemiphractus
Species:
H. fasciatus
Binomial name
Hemiphractus fasciatus
Peters, 1862
Synonyms

Cerathyla fasciata (Peters, 1862)

Description

Males measure up to 56 mm (2.2 in) and females to 59 mm (2.3 in) in snout–vent length. They have a distinct, triangular-shaped "helmet" on the head. Colour is light brown (sometimes yellowish or greyish) dorsally, possibly with some darker markings. The thighs are often barred. The ventral surface is brown, becoming darker on the throat and chest.[5]

Reproduction

Breeding probably occurs throughout year. The female carries eggs on her back until hatching. Development is direct, with the juveniles emerging as fully developed froglets.[5]

Behaviour

Hemiphractus fasciatus are nocturnal. When disturbed, they may emit noise. Their defensive behaviour involves throwing back the head and opening the mouth, revealing the bright yellowish orange tongue and interior of the mouth. They can readily bite.[5]

Habitat and conservation

The natural habitats of Hemiphractus fasciatus are very humid lowland, lower montane, and cloud forests.[2]

The species is threatened by habitat loss[2] and the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.[6] A captive colony that has been established at the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center, Panama, for possible future re-release into the wild, was initially identified as this species,[6] but following a taxonomic review in 2018 these belong to the newly described H. elioti.[1]

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References
  1. Hill, R.L.; K.G. Martin; E. Stanley; J.R. Mendelson III (2018). "A taxonomic review of the genus Hemiphractus (Anura: Hemiphractidae) in Panama: Description of Two New Species, Resurrection of Hemiphractus panamensis (Stejneger, 1917), and Discussion of Hemiphractus fasciatus Peters, 1862". Zootaxa. 4429 (3): 495–512. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4429.3.3.
  2. Coloma, L.A.; Ron, S.R.; Jungfer, K.; Solís, F.; Ibáñez, R.; Jaramillo, C.; Fuenmayor, Q. & Bolaños, F. (2008). "Hemiphractus fasciatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T55367A11286659. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T55367A11286659.en.
  3. Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Hemiphractus fasciatus Peters, 1862". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  4. Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2015). "Hemiphractus fasciatus Peters, 1862". Lista de los Anfibios de Colombia V.05.2015. www.batrachia.com. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  5. "Hemiphractus fasciatus Peters 1862". Amphibians of Panama. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  6. Beth King (11 January 2013). "Genetic Matchmaking Saves Endangered Frogs". Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
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