Bromeliad tree frog
| Bromeliad tree frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Bromeliohyla |
| Species: | B. bromeliacia |
| Binomial name | |
| Bromeliohyla bromeliacia (K. Schmidt, 1933) | |
The bromeliad tree frog (Bromeliohyla bromeliacia) is a species of frog in the Hylidae family. It is found in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. In Spanish, this frog is known as rana arborícula de bromelia. This frog used to be classified as Hyla bromeliacia before it was moved to the newly formed genus Bromeliohyla in 2005.[1]
Distribution
The bromeliad tree frog is found in tropical rainforest on the Atlantic side of Chiapas State in Mexico, in the Maya Mountains of Belize and Guatemala, in central Guatemala and in northwest Honduras at elevations of 350 to 1,790 m (1,150 to 5,870 ft) above sea level.[1]
Biology
These frogs lay their eggs in the water-filled rosettes of bromeliads or other temporary, water-filled crevices in the canopy, such as the leaf sheaths of banana leaves. The tadpoles complete their development in these small pools.[1]
Fungal infection
A study was undertaken in Honduras to discover whether these frogs were infected by the chytrid fungus, which is causing devastation among amphibian populations worldwide. One-third of the individuals tested were found to be infected. These frogs spend their lives in the canopy and breed in the ephemeral, water-filled bromeliad rosettes, and are unlikely ever to come into contact with streams or pools which might be sources of infection. The researchers surmised the fungus might be spread by insects or birds, or by raindrops, but further research needs to be undertaken to establish how it is dispersed.[2]
Status
The bromeliad tree frog is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The number of individuals is believed to have declined by more than 50% in the last ten years. Populations at higher altitudes have declined more than those at lower altitudes. In addition to chytridiomycosis, deforestation and pollution are believed to threaten this species. In Guatemala and Honduras, it occurs in several national parks, where it should be free of these threats.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Gustavo Cruz, Manuel Acevedo, Julian Lee (2010). "Bromeliohyla bromeliacia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
- ↑ Kolby, Jonathan E. (May 2011). "Climbing for Chytrid: An Aerial Pursuit for Answers in Honduras". FrogLog Vol. 96. Retrieved 2012-11-02.