Copan brook frog
| Copan brook frog | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Duellmanohyla |
| Species: | D. soralia |
| Binomial name | |
| Duellmanohyla soralia (Wilson & McCranie,1985) | |
The Copan brook frog, Duellmanohyla soralia, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae found in the Sierra del Merendón range in Guatemala and Honduras.[2] Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss. The colouring of this species is very distinctive and the specific name soralia comes from the resemblance of its markings to the vegetative structures on some crustose lichens.[3]
Description
The Copan brook frog is a small frog, the males growing to about 30 mm (1.2 in) and the females to 38 mm (1.5 in). The snout is very blunt and the prominent eyes have red irises. The male has a single vocal sac under the throat, with a pair of vocal slits. The dorsal surface is brown with a well-marked pattern of green, olive, and black, pale-edged spots or blotches. The ventral surface is yellow and the outer surface of the fore limb has a patterning of white streaks.[3]
Distribution
This tree frog is endemic to mountainous parts of northwest Honduras and northeast Guatemala. Its habitat is moist tropical forest and cloud forest at altitudes of up to 1,570 m (5,150 ft) above sea level.[3]
Biology
D. soralia is nocturnal and is usually found in or near streams, in low vegetation and on waterside rocks. Breeding takes place between May and July. The tadpoles are a pale yellowish-green colour with iridescent green spots and red eyes. They inhabit shallow pools.[3]
Status
Duellmanohyla soralia is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Numbers of frogs are dwindling, and in the Cusuco National Park, where the habitat is fully protected, at least part of the cause of the decline is believed to be the disease chytridiomycosis caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.[4] Elsewhere this frog is also threatened by loss of habitat caused by forest clearance for agricultural purposes and by water pollution.[1]
References
- 1 2 Gustavo Cruz, Manuel Acevedo, Larry David Wilson, Jonathan E. Kolby (2010). "Duellmanohyla soralia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
- ↑ Dr. Jonathan A. Campbell. "Ecogeographic Regions of Guatemala". Retrieved 2008.
- 1 2 3 4 Kellie Whittaker (2009-11-30). "Duellmanohyla soralia". AmphibiaWeb. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
- ↑ Kolby, J.E.; Padgett-Flohr, G.E.; Field, R. (2010). "Amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Cusuco National Park, Honduras". Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 92 (2–3): 245–251. doi:10.3354/dao02055.