Noblella lochites

Noblella lochites
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Craugastoridae
Genus: Noblella
Species: N. lochites
Binomial name
Noblella lochites
(Lynch, 1976)
Synonyms

Euparkerella lochites Lynch, 1976
Phyllonastes lochites (Lynch, 1976)

Noblella lochites, also known as Ecuador leaf frog, is a species of frog in the Craugastoridae family. It is found on the Amazonian slopes of the Andes and Cordillera del Cóndor and the Cordillera de Cutucú in Ecuador and Peru;[2][3] the Peruvian record has been disputed, although it is nevertheless expected that the species occurs in Peru.[2]

Description

Males measure 13–15 mm (0.51–0.59 in) and females 13–19 mm (0.51–0.75 in) in snout–vent length. There is a distinctive charcoal, dark brown, or black facial mask. Tympanumic annulus and membrane are clearly visible. Dorsum has well-defined scapular and sacral chevrons and pair of suprainguinal spots, although patterns differ among individuals and few specimens are nearly patternless. Venter is diffusely pigmented in adults but mottled in juveniles. There are small circular, white dots scattered across all body surfaces.[4]

Habitat and conservation

The species' natural habitat is cloud forest and old growth and secondary forest.[1] They are active by day, with males occasionally calling, and typically inhabit leaf litter or moss and root-covered sandy areas.[4]

Noblella lochites is a rarely encountered species, possibly because of its secretive habits. Land mines left during the Cenepa War offer protection for its range on the Cordillera del Cóndor.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cisneros-Heredia, D., Almandáriz, A., Martinez, J.L. & Neira, D. (2004). "Noblella lochites". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Noblella lochites (Lynch, 1976)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  3. Frenkel, C., Guayasamín, J. M., Yánez-Muñoz, M. H., and Ron, S. R. (2011–2014). "Noblella lochites". Ron, S. R., Guayasamin, J. M., Yanez-Muñoz, M. H., Merino-Viteri, A., Ortiz, D. A. and Nicolalde, D. A. 2014. AmphibiaWebEcuador. Version 2014.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 Harvey, M. B.; Almendáriz, A.; Brito-M., J.; Batallas-R., D. (2013). "A new species of Noblella (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Amazonian slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes with comments on Noblella lochites (Lynch)". Zootaxa 3635: 1–14. doi:10.11646/zootaxa635.1.1.
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