Paedophryne cathismaphlox
| Paedophryne cathismaphlox | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paedophryne cathismaphlox |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Paedophryne cathismaphlox | ||||||||||||
| Kraus , 2010 |
Paedophryne kathismaphlox is in 2010 described species of the family of mouthed (Microhylidae). It 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. In Paedophryne cathismaphlox , the females are 10.4–10.9 millimeters long, the males remain slightly smaller than the females and reach a head-trunk length of up to 10.1 millimeters.
The back coloration of Paedophryne cathismaphlox is dark brown with irregular black spots. The belly and underside of the legs are mottled dark brown and light white-blue. Brick-red spots are often found on the back of the arms and on the thighs near the anus. As with all members of the genus Paedophryne, the first fingers and toes are reduced to a single limb. 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 iris is colored orange in living specimens, the pupils are horizontal. The tympanum is small and barely visible. These frogs are webbed .
Occurrence
So far, Paedophryne kathismaphlox is only known from the type locality at around 2170 meters above sea level on the northern slope of Mount Simpson in the Milne Bay Province in Papua New Guinea . Mount Simpson is 2,736 meters high.
Way of life
The species lives on the ground in litter and fallen leaves. It is crepuscular and feeds on various invertebrates such as small insects or mites . The males call in very high pitched tones similar to those of stridulating insects.
Systematics and taxonomy
The systematic position of the genus Paedophryne is still unclear. A relationship to the genus Cophixalus is assumed. It is believed that the differentiation of the genus into different species began 23 to 29 million years ago, when the part of the country in which the representatives of the genus are native did not yet belong to New Guinea, but formed its own island.
The species name kathismaphlox , composed of ancient Greek kathisma (κάθισμα), meaning "trunk", and phlox (φλόξ), which means something like "flame", refers to the brick-red spots that appear on the thighs below the anus .
The frogs were discovered in 2003 and described in 2010.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Species diversity: The newly discovered frog is the smallest vertebrate in the world. Zeit Online January 12, 2012, accessed January 12, 2012
- ↑ 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 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
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 )
