Biology:Asterophrys leucopus

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of frog

Asterophrys leucopus
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Microhylidae
Genus: Asterophrys
Species:
A. leucopus
Binomial name
Asterophrys leucopus

Asterophrys leucopus is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to northwestern Papua New Guinea where it is known from three locations: Stolle Mountain in the Sandaun Province—its type locality, and Hunstein Mountains in the East Sepik Province and the Bewani Mountains in the West Sepik Province.[2]

Description

Asterophrys leucopus are moderately large microhylids. The three males in the type series measure 43–47 mm (1.7–1.9 in) in snout–vent length. A distinctive feature of these frogs, shared with the congeneric Asterophrys turpicola, is their extremely broad head, almost half of snout–vent length. The body is robust with short limbs. The colour pattern is mottled light and dark pinkish brown, with irregular black patches on dorsal and lateral surfaces; this gives these frogs a good camouflage against wet moss of their habitat. Males call from exposed positions; the call consists of a series of rapidly repeated introductory notes followed by slower terminal notes.[3]

Habitat and conservation

Asterophrys leucopus inhabit mossy rainforests[1] at elevations of 950–1,600 m (3,120–5,250 ft) above sea level.[1][4] No threats to this species have been identified.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Asterophrys leucopus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T57682A150499177. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T57682A150499177.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/57682/150499177. Retrieved 17 November 2021. 
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Asterophrys leucopus Richards, Johnston, and Burton, 1994". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/Amphibia/Anura/Microhylidae/Asterophryinae/Asterophrys/Asterophrys-leucopus. Retrieved 30 May 2017. 
  3. Richards, S. J.; G. R. Johnston; T. C. Burton (1994). "A remarkable new asterophryine microhylid frog from the mountains of New Guinea". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 37: 281–286. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40127152#page/283/mode/1up. 
  4. Kraus, Fred; Allison, Allen (2006). "Range extensions for reptiles and amphibians along the northern versant of Papua New Guinea". Herpetological Review 37 (3): 364–368. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ae9lgw8ubv9anyu/HR%202006.37.3.pgs356-384R.pdf?dl=1. 

Wikidata ☰ Q779146 entry