| Micro Frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Pyxicephalidae |
| Genus: | Microbatrachella Hewitt, 1926 |
| Species: | M. capensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Microbatrachella capensis (Boulenger, 1910) |
|
The Micro Frog (Microbatrachella capensis) is a minute species of frog in the Pyxicephalidae family, in the monotypic genus Microbatrachella. At around 18 millimetres (0.71 in) long it is one of the smallest regional species.[1] Their colour varies from rufous brown with dark mottling, to tan or green, depending on the population.
It is endemic to the south-western Cape area of South Africa, with a single population found on the Cape Flats of Cape Town and a series of populations on the eastern side of False Bay, from Kogelberg to Cape Agulhas.[2]
Its natural habitat is at low altitudes, in and around shallow, vegetated freshwater wetlands in coastal restioid fynbos, a mediterranean-type vegetation dominated by restios (Cape Reed). Typically these wetlands have some areas of permanent water along with other areas that are inundated during the winter - spring rainy season.
It is a critically endangered species threatened by habitat loss, mainly due to draining of wetlands for coastal strip development.[2]