Hyloxalus bocagei
| Hyloxalus bocagei | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Dendrobatidae |
| Genus: | Hyloxalus |
| Species: | H. bocagei |
| Binomial name | |
| Hyloxalus bocagei Jiménez de la Espada, 1870 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Colostethus bocagei (Jiménez de la Espada, 1870) | |
Hyloxalus bocagei is a species of frog in the Dendrobatidae family. It is endemic to Ecuador where it is known from the provinces of Sucumbíos and Napo on the northeastern side of the Andes, 1,420–1,740 m (4,660–5,710 ft) asl.[2] There is also one record from the Caquetá Department in Colombia, but its status is not clear.[3]
Taxonomy
Hyloxalus bocagei belongs to a group of species that are difficult to identify, and the taxonomic history of the group is complex.[4] The IUCN assessment from 2004 mentions several locations from Colombia[1] that are no longer allocated to Hyloxalus bocagei. Hyloxalus maculosus has been considered a junior synonym of Hyloxalus bocagei, but is now recognized as a species. Hyloxalus italoi and Hyloxalus yasuni were described as new species in 2010.[4]
Description
Males measure 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) and females 24–30 mm (0.94–1.18 in) in snout–vent length. Dorsum is olive-brown with dark brown dorsal blotches and flanks with a dark brown stripe. There are oblique lateral stripes extending from anterior corner of the eye to the groin, with cream and golden traces, olive-tan anteriorly. Two small golden glands are at each side of the eye. Iris is golden with small black flecks. Tympanum is cream-coloured. Ventral surfaces are uniformly gray. Skin of dorsum, limbs, flanks and venter smooth, but some specimens have scattered tubercles posterior to the sacral region and on flanks.[4][5]
Tadpoles have a ventrally located oral disc. They have brown, golden glittered dorsum and pinkish tail with brown and golden spots in the dorsoanterior portion. Ventrally they are translucent, with two very conspicuous silver marks at anterior portion. There is also a golden mark on dorsal fin, just behind its base. The total length ranges between 11.8 and 34 mm (0.46 and 1.34 in) (Gosner stages 25–36). Tail is about two thirds of the total length. Recently metamorphosed juvenile frogs measure 9.6–12.5 mm (0.38–0.49 in) in snout–vent length.[4]
Reproduction
Call of male Hyloxalus bocagei is a long trill consisting of paired notes. Calling males have been observed in late morning. Eggs are deposited amidst leaf litter on the forest floor, and the male attends the eggs. Upon hatching, the tadpoles climb onto the back of the male, who transports them to water.[4]
Habitat and conservation
Natural habitats of Hyloxalus bocagei are montane forest near streams.[1] They are active by day.[4] Tadpoles develop in streams. Hyloxalus bocagei is threatened by habitat loss. Its range overlaps with the Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park.[1][5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Coloma, L.A., Ron, S. & Grant, T. (2004). "Hyloxalus bocagei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
- ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Hyloxalus bocagei Jiménez de la Espada, 1870". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
- ↑ Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2014). "Hyloxalus bocagei Jiménez de la Espada, 1870". Lista de los Anfibios de Colombia V.05.2105. www.batrachia.com. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Páez-Vacas, M., L. A. Coloma, and J. C. Santos (2010). "Systematics of the Hyloxalus bocagei complex (Anura: Dendrobatidae), description of two new cryptic species, and recognition of H. maculosus". Zootaxa 2711: 1–75.
- 1 2 Ortiz, DA, Coloma, LA, Vallejo, A. Frenkel, C. (2013). "Hyloxalus bocagei". Ron, S. R., Guayasamin, J. M., Yanez-Muñoz, M. H., Merino-Viteri, A., Ortiz, D. A. y Nicolalde, D. A. 2014. AmphibiaWebEcuador. Version 2014.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 13 March 2015.