Paedophryne
| Paedophryne | ||||||||||||
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Paedophryne cathismaphlox |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Paedophryne | ||||||||||||
| Kraus , 2010 |
Paedophryne is agenus of the narrow- mouthed frogfamily(Microhylidae) that wasonly described in 2010. The genus belongs to the subfamily of the Papuan narrow-mouth frogs (Asterophryinae).
features
All six previously known species of the genus are among the smallest vertebrates in the world. Their head-to-torso lengths range from 7.0 to 11.3 millimeters. The males usually stay smaller than the females.
The species differ in terms of their size. The smallest species is Paedophryne amauensis , the males of which do not exceed a head-to-trunk length (SVL) of 7–8 millimeters. In the case of Paedophryne dekot , a head-torso length of 8.5–9.0 millimeters was measured in females; males have not yet been discovered. The females of Paedophryne verrucosa reach a length of 8.8–9.3 millimeters, the males 8.1–8.9 millimeters. In Paedophryne cathismaphlox , the females are 10.4–10.9 millimeters long, the males up to 10.1 millimeters. Paedophryne oyatabu becomes even larger, the females of this species reach 11.3 millimeters. Also in the work by Rittmeyer et al. 2012 newly described species Paedophryne swiftorum reaches 8.3–8.9 millimeters.
The first fingers and toes are reduced to a single member in all members of the genus Paedophryne . There are only seven vertebrae in front of the sacrum , unlike most of the other members of the Papuan narrow-mouth frog subfamily . The second finger and toe only have two limbs each, as does the fourth finger. The one-jointed fifth toe is also reduced. The mouth is relatively wide and rounded. The eyes are relatively large, the pupils are horizontal.
Occurrence
All species of the genus Paedophryne are native to Papua New Guinea or offshore islands. They live on the ground in litter and fallen leaves.
Way of life
They are crepuscular and feed on various invertebrates. The males call in very high pitched tones similar to those of stridulating insects.
Systematics
The systematic position of the genus is still unclear. A relationship to the genus Cophixalus is assumed. It can be assumed that the differentiation of this genus began 23 to 29 million years ago, when the part of today's island of New Guinea , in which the representatives of the genus are located, represented a separate terrane .
species
As of September 15, 2015
- Paedophryne kathismaphlox Kraus, 2010
- Paedophryne oyatabu Kraus, 2010
- Paedophryne dekot Kraus, 2011
- Paedophryne verrucosa Kraus, 2011
- Paedophryne amauensis Rittmeyer, 2012
- Paedophryne swiftorum Rittmeyer, 2012
gallery
Paedophryne cathismaphlox
Paedophryne oyatabu
Paedophryne feces
Paedophryne verrucosa
Paedophryne amauensis (smallest vertebrate in the world)
Paedophryne swiftorum
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Individual evidence
- ↑ Species diversity: The newly discovered frog is the smallest vertebrate in the world. Zeit Online January 12, 2012, accessed January 12, 2012
- ↑ a b c d e f Fred Kraus: New genus of diminutive microhylid frogs from Papua New Guinea. Zoo Keys, 48, pp. 39-59, 2010 doi : 10.3897 / zookeys.48.446
- ↑ a b c d Fred Kraus: At the lower size limit for tetrapods, two new species of the miniaturized frog genus Paedophryne (Anura, Microhylidae). Zoo Keys, 154, pp. 71-88, December 2011 doi : 10.3897 / zookeys.154.1963
- ^ A b c E. N. Rittmeyer, A. Allison, MC Gründler, DK Thompson, CC Austin: Ecological Guild Evolution and the Discovery of the World's Smallest Vertebrate. PLoS ONE 7, 1, e29797, January 2012 doi : 10.1371 / journal.pone.0029797
literature
- Fred Kraus: New genus of diminutive microhylid frogs from Papua New Guinea. Zoo Keys, 48, pp. 39–59, 2010 doi : 10.3897 / zookeys.48.446 (first description of the species Paedophryne kathismaphlox and Paedophryne oyatabu )
- Fred Kraus: At the lower size limit for tetrapods, two new species of the miniaturized frog genus Paedophryne (Anura, Microhylidae). Zoo Keys, 154, pp. 71–88, December 2011 doi : 10.3897 / zookeys.154.1963 (first description of the genus and the species Paedophryne dekot and Paedophryne verrucosa )
- EN Rittmeyer, A. Allison, MC Gründler, DK Thompson, CC Austin: Ecological Guild Evolution and the Discovery of the World's Smallest Vertebrate. PLoS ONE 7, 1, e29797, January 2012 doi : 10.1371 / journal.pone.0029797 (first description of Paedophryne amauensis and Paedophryne swiftorum )
