Aubria masako

Aubria masako is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae.[1][2][3][4] It is found in southeastern Cameroon, eastern Gabon, southwestern Central African Republic, northern Republic of the Congo, and eastward to the central Democratic Republic of the Congo, with one (doubtful) record from Angola; it might occur in Equatorial Guinea.[1][2] Common names Masako ball frog[2][4] and Masako fishing frog have been coined for this species.[3] Its distinctness from Aubria subsigillata has been debated, but at present it is treated as a valid species.[1][2][3][4]

Aubria masako

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Pyxicephalidae
Genus: Aubria
Species:
A. masako
Binomial name
Aubria masako
Ohler and Kazadi, 1990

Description

Adult males measure 63–79 mm (2.5–3.1 in) in snout–vent length; females are larger The maximum length is about 100 mm (3.9 in). The tympanum is large and distinct, and the supratympanic fold is present. The finger and toe tips are rounded but not enlarged. The fingers have only some dermal fringes, whereas the toes are moderately webbed. The dorsum is brown and has dark speckles. A white or off-white vertebral line may be present. The underside is speckled white over a brown background, turning almost entirely white in older individuals (the exception being from the throat). Both sexes have conspicuous yellow-brown femoral glands close to the knee.[3][4]

Habitat and ecology

Aubria masako occurs in swamps or along small streams in lowland forests, gallery forests, and degraded secondary habitats (farm bush) in the forest zone. Breeding takes places in standing water, in pools, swamps, and marshes.[1] It is nocturnal, burrowing in mud when inactive. The diet consists of—somewhat unusually for an amphibian—of fish (e.g., Epiplatys), but also of arthropods and other amphibians, including younger conspecifics.[3][4]

Conservation

Although it is considered an adaptable species, in parts of its range Aubria masako is only known from pristine habitats. Nevertheless, this species is not considered to face any significant threats. It is presumably to be found in several protected areas.[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2014). "Aubria masako". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T58231A18403738. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T58231A18403738.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Aubria masako Ohler and Kazadi, 1990". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  3. "Aubria masako". AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  4. Dietterich, Lee (2014). "Aubria masako Ohler and Kazadi, 1990". African Amphibians. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
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