Physalaemus ephippifer

Physalaemus ephippifer is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in central and eastern Brazilian Amazonia, the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana), and southern Venezuela (Bolívar state).[2] It might not occur in French Guiana.[3]

Physalaemus ephippifer

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Leptodactylidae
Genus: Physalaemus
Species:
P. ephippifer
Binomial name
Physalaemus ephippifer
(Steindachner, 1864)
Synonyms

Leiuperus ephippifer Steindachner, 1864

Description

Physalaemus ephippifer grow to 33 mm (1.3 in) in snout–vent length. The body is slightly elongated with a pointed snout. The tympanum is barely visible. The back is typically smooth but has warts in some specimens; there are few longitudinal ridges. The dorsal colouration is light to reddish brown, with a variable degree of greyish markings. There is a black stripe running from the tip of the snout to the eye, continuing as a black band on the flank. The ventral colour is creamy or yellowish.[3] The legs are barred with dark brown and there are red or orange patches in the armpits and groin. The fingers and toes are unwebbed.[4]

Habitat and ecology

Physalaemus ephippifer is a common, adaptable species that benefits from human disturbance. It is living on the forest edge, in clearings, and in other anthropogenic habitats.[1] In Suriname it is a common species of the savanna belt and the interior areas.[3] The species breeds in temporary pools during the late wet season.[1] The female makes a foam nest by secreting a fluid from the oviduct which the male whips into a foam with his hind legs. The eggs are hidden in the foam and hatch in about three days. After two or three days more the tadpoles emerge from the foam and subsequently develop in the water. It is thought that the foam deters predators, including older tadpoles of the same species.[4]

Status

This frog has a wide range and is a common species with a large total population. It is an adaptable species and is found in areas disturbed by humans, and no particular threats have been recognised. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]

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References
  1. Reynolds, R.; Rodrigues, M.T.; Mijares, A.; MacCulloch, R. (2004). "Physalaemus ephippifer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T57252A11609456. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T57252A11609456.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Physalaemus ephippifer (Steindachner, 1864)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  3. Paul E. Ouboter; Rawien Jairam (10 May 2012). Amphibians of Suriname. Brill. pp. 216–219. ISBN 978-90-04-20799-8.
  4. Halliday, Tim (2016). The Book of Frogs: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from Around the World. University of Chicago Press. p. 247. ISBN 978-0-226-18465-4.
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