Micro frog
| 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.[1] Its colour varies from rufous brown with dark mottling, to tan or green, depending on the population.
The micro frog 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 inundated during the winter - spring rainy season.
Description
This is a very small frog with a rounded snout and smooth skin.[3] At around 18 mm (0.71 in) long, it is one of the smallest regional species.[4] The dorsal surface is dark brown, speckled with pale brown and there is a pale band of colour running down each flank. There is a dark bar between the eyes and a narrow pale line along the spine. The underparts are pale brown and the belly spotted with white.[3]
Behaviour
The micro frog lives in wetlands in sandy, coastal fynbos, a type of heathland found in the Western Cape region of South Africa. It is associated with seepages and ephemeral pools, and depends on dark, acidic waters for breeding. The breeding season starts with the arrival of the rainy season, usually between July and September. Eggs are attached to the vegetation and the tadpoles develop slowly. During the dry season, these frogs bury themselves and aestivate.[3]
Status
It is a critically endangered species threatened by habitat loss, mainly due to draining of wetlands for coastal strip development.[2]
References
- ↑ "Pyxicephalidae". AmphibiaWeb. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harrison, J., Minter, L. & Channing, A. (2004). "Microbatrachella capensis". 2006 Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. Retrieved 2007-09-19.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 de Villiers, A.L. "Microbatrachella capensis ". AmphibiaWeb. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ↑ Wolfart, Stephen (2006). The Southern Tip of Africa. David Philip Publishers. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-86486-698-1.