Du Toit's torrent frog

Du Toit's torrent frog
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Petropedetidae
Genus: Arthroleptides
Species: A. dutoiti
Binomial name
Arthroleptides dutoiti
Loveridge, 1935
Synonyms

Petropedetes dutoiti (Loveridge, 1935)

Du Toit's torrent frog, the Mt. Elgon torrent frog, or the Kenya rocky river frog (Arthroleptides dutoiti) is a species of frog in the Petropedetidae family endemic to Mount Elgon in Kenya; it has not been found on the Ugandan part of the mountain.[2] It is one of many, often taxonomically unrelated, frogs referred to as torrent frogs.

Description

A. dutoiti is a small frog, about 31 mm (1.2 in) in length. Its head is slightly broader than long, with distinctly visible tympana. The toes but not the fingers are half-webbed. The skin of the back is distinctly warty and pitted, but smooth elsewhere. This species is black in colour, except for the digit tips that are slightly white-edged.[3]

Habitat

A. dutoiti is found in and around the rocky montane streams. Eggs are laid on wet rocks close to torrential streams and waterfalls, and the tadpoles develop on the rocks, out of the water.[1][3]

Conservation

A. dutoiti is an EDGE species, reflecting its evolutionary distinctness and endangered status. It was last seen in 1962, despite later surveys. Because the habitat of this species appears to be generally in good condition, its disappearance might have been caused by disease such as chytridiomycosis.[1][3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lötters, S., Loader, S. & Howell, K. (2004). "Petropedetes dutoiti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  2. ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Arthroleptides dutoiti Loveridge, 1935". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Du Toit's Torrent Frog (Petropedetes dutoiti)". EDGE of Existence programme. Zoological Society of London. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
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