Pseudophilautus conniffae

Pseudophilautus conniffae, commonly known as Conniff's shrub frog, is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.[1]

Pseudophilautus conniffae
Female paratype from Dediyagala Forest Reserve
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Pseudophilautus
Species:
P. conniffae
Binomial name
Pseudophilautus conniffae
Batuwita, De Silva & Udugampala, 2019

Etymology

The specific name conniffae is due to Karen Lynn Conniff, for her assistance to researchers during field visits and for her efforts on the Odonata of Sri Lanka.[1]

Description

The species was once confused with Pseudophilautus rus. However new studies revealed that P. conniffae is different from its relative in many ways. It has a conical median lingual process which is absent in P. rus. Black patches are found on the posterior flank, anterior and posterior edges of the thigh. Fourth toe is webbed all over to penultimate subarticular tubercle on inner and outer sides.[2]

The sympatric species, Pseudophilautus limbus shared many similarities with the new species. However, new species can be identified separately from these characters. Supernumerary tubercles on manus is present. Frontoparietal ridges are absent.[2]

Adult male is 23.5 mm long in size. Dorsum is covered with prominent warts. Supratympanic fold is clearly visible. Nuptial pads absent. Between forelimbs, there is a large, dark brown square-shaped blotch on mid-dorsum. black and white patches are found on anterior and posterior surfaces of thigh and posterior flank. Dorsum light brown with dark brown patches.[2]

Habitat

The species is confined to the southwestern wet zone of Sri Lanka.[1]

References
  1. "Pseudophilautus conniffae - A New Species of Pseudophilautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from southern Sri Lanka". novataxa. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  2. Udugampala, Sampath; De Silva, Madura; Batuwita, Sudesh (2019). "Description of a new species of Pseudophilautus (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae) from southern Sri Lanka". Journal of Threatened Taxa. Threatened Taxa. 11: 13120–13131. doi:10.11609/jott.3903.11.1.13120-13131.
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