Micro frog
| Micro Frog | |
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| Genus: | Microbatrachella Hewitt, 1926
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| Species: | M. capensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Microbatrachella capensis (Boulenger, 1910)
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The Micro Frog (Microbatrachella capensis) is a minute species of frog in the Pyxicephalidae family, in the monotypic genus Microbatrachella.[citation needed] At around 18 millimetres (0.71 in) long it is one of the smallest regional species.[1] Their colour varies from rufous brown with dark mottling, to tan or green, depending on the population.
It 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 that are inundated during the winter - spring rainy season.
It is a critically endangered species threatened by habitat loss, mainly due to draining of wetlands for coastal strip development.[2]
References
- ^ Wolfart, Stephen (2006). The Southern Tip of Africa. David Philip Publishers. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-86486-698-1.
- ^ a b Harrison, J., Minter, L. & Channing, A. (2004). "Microbatrachella capensis". 2006 Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. Retrieved 19-09-2007.
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