Ctenophryne aequatorialis

Ctenophryne aequatorialis (common name: Cuenca Nelson frog, reflecting its earlier placement in Nelsonophryne) is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to the Andes of Ecuador and known from the Cuenca basin in Azuay Province southward to Saraguro Canton (northern Loja Province) at elevations of 2,450–2,650 m (8,040–8,690 ft) asl.[1][2][3]

Ctenophryne aequatorialis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Microhylidae
Genus: Ctenophryne
Species:
C. aequatorialis
Binomial name
Ctenophryne aequatorialis
(Peracca, 1904)
Synonyms[2]

Engistoma aequatoriale Peracca, 1904
Gastrophryne aequatorialis (Peracca, 1904)
Microhyla aequatorialis (Peracca, 1904)
Glossostoma aequatoriale (Peracca, 1904)
Nelsonophryne aequatorialis (Peracca, 1904)

Description

Males measure about 27 mm (1.1 in) and females 37 mm (1.5 in) in snout–vent length. The dorsum has characteristic pattern of dark patches. The toes have basal webbing.[3]

Habitat and conservation

The species inhabits pastures, grassland, agricultural fields, and degraded secondary habitats. They have been collected close to small pools.[1][3] Eggs are laid in small pools. The tadpoles reach metamorphosis after three months.[3]

Ctenophryne aequatorialis is a common species that is not known to face significant threats; consequently the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) did not consider it threatened in its assessment in 2004.[1] However, in Ecuador it is considered "endangered" because of its relatively small range, few known and presumably fragmented populations, and presumed decline in abundance. It might be present in the El Cajas National Park.[3]

References
  1. Lynch, J. & Almandáriz, A. (2004). "Ctenophryne aequatorialis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T57899A11690606. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T57899A11690606.en. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Ctenophryne aequatorialis (Peracca, 1904)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  3. Ron, S. R.; et al. (2018). Ron, S. R.; Merino-Viteri, A. & Ortiz, D. A. (eds.). "Ctenophryne aequatorialis". Anfibios del Ecuador. Version 2019.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 4 August 2020.
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