| Rose's Rain Frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Microhylidae |
| Genus: | Breviceps |
| Species: | B. rosei |
| Binomial name | |
| Breviceps rosei Power, 1926 |
|
Rose's Rain Frog[1] or Rose's Rainfrog[2] (Breviceps rosei) is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is endemic to the sandveld of south-western coastal South Africa.[3] It is less-frequently known as Rose's Short-headed Frog[4], Rose's Blaasop[5], or the Sand Rain Frog[6]. Some consider Breviceps fasciatus as synonym of this species[7], although other authorities have expressed doubt.[8]
Frogs in this species spend most of their lives in subterranean nests under sandy ground, where they lay their eggs. They surface during heavy rain. They cannot swim, and are not found in water. Tadpoles develop inside the eggs and hatch as fully formed baby frogs.[9]
Its natural habitats are temperate shrubland, Fynbos Mediterranean shrubland vegetation, sandy shores, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, and urban areas. It is threatened by habitat loss, and its range it restricted to less than 20,000 square kilometers.[8] Despite this, its future seems secure, as it is very adaptable and remains locally abundant.[10]
There are two subspecies: Breviceps r. rosei and Breviceps r. vansoni, occurring on separate coasts.[10]