Central Coast stubfoot toad
| Atelopus franciscus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Bufonidae |
| Genus: | Atelopus |
| Species: | A. franciscus |
| Binomial name | |
| Atelopus franciscus Lescure, 1974 | |
The Central Coast stubfoot toad, Atelopus franciscus, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae, endemic to the central coastal region of French Guiana.[2] It is a locally common, diurnal species found near fast-flowing small streams and creeks in lowland rainforest.[1][3] Many authors have suggested this taxon might be a synonym of Atelopus flavescens.[2] It is threatened by habitat loss
Reproduction and behaviour
To attract females and to defend their territories, males of A. franciscus use advertisement calls, not visual displays as typical for Atelopus. This is somewhat unexpected, given their environment is noisy and males must acoustically compete with males of several other frog species (e.g., Allobates femoralis and Otophryne pyburni). Moreover, this species lacks an external vocal sac, so can only produce low-intensity calls that propagate short distances (<8 m). It also lacks external tympana and could be considered anatomically deaf. Nevertheless, it has a well-developed inner ear and has been shown to respond acoustically to the calls of conspecifics in the field.[3]
Male territories are closely spaced, only 2–4 m apart on average, and despite the handicaps discussed above, acoustic communication appears sufficiently efficient at these short distances.[3]
Eggs are laid in the water. The tadpoles adhere to rocks.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 Lescure, J., Marty, C., Born, M., Boistel, R., Reynolds, R., Hoogmoed, M., MacCulloch, R., Gaucher, P. & Lötters, S. (2004). "Atelopus franciscus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
- 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Atelopus franciscus Lescure, 1974". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
- 1 2 3 Boistel, R.; Aubin, T.; Cloetens, P.; Langer, M.; Gillet, B.; Josset, P.; Pollet, N.; Herrel, A. (2011). "Whispering to the deaf: communication by a frog without external vocal sac or tympanum in noisy environments". PLoS ONE 6 (7): e22080. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022080. PMC 3135622. PMID 21779377.
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