Boulenophrys brachykolos

Boulenophrys brachykolos
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Megophryidae
Genus:	Boulenophrys
Species:	B. brachykolos
Binomial name
Boulenophrys brachykolos (Inger and Romer, 1961)
Synonyms
Xenophrys brachykolos(Inger and Romer, 1961) Megophrys minor brachykolos Megophrys brachykolos(Inger and Romer, 1961)

Boulenophrys brachykolos, the short-legged horned toad or Peak spadefoot toad, is a frog native to southern China and Vietnam. ^[2] It was first discovered in the Victoria Peak (locally known as The Peak), Hong Kong. ^[3] Many populations of Hong Kong are in the country parks, such as Lung Fu Shan Country Park. ^[4]

Taxonomy and distribution

Whether Boulenophrys brachykolos is a valid species or only subspecies of Megophrys minor has been questioned, but molecular genetic evidence now supports its species status. Recent research has also shown that the species has a wider distribution than assumed before. ^[2] At the time of the IUCN assessment in 2004, the species was hardly known outside Hong Kong and it was considered to be an endangered species. ^[1] Reflecting the distribution now known to be much wider, the conservation status of Boulenophrys brachykolos is likely to change when the assessment is updated.

Description

Tadpole of Megophrys brachykolos

Boulenophrys brachykolos are relatively small but robust frogs. Males have a snout-vent length of 34–40 mm (1.3–1.6 in) and females 40–48 mm (1.6–1.9 in). They have a strongly projecting snout and a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of the upper eyelid (the "horn" of a "horned toad"). ^[3]

References

1. Michael Wai Neng Lau, Zhao Ermi, Annemarie Ohler, Peter Paul van Dijk (2004). "Megophrys brachykolos". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2004 e.T57633A11667381. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T57633A11667381.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. Frost, Darrel R. (2021). "Boulenophrys brachykolos (Inger and Romer, 1961)". Amphibian Species of the World 6.1, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
3. Inger, Robert F.; Romer, J. D. (1961). "A new pelobatid frog of the genus Megophrys from Hong Kong". Fieldiana Zoology. 39: 533–538.
4. Sung, Yik Hei (2006). "Night safaris in Lung Fu Shan Country Park, Hong Kong". Porcupine!. 34 (September 2006). Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, HKU: 16–17. Retrieved 7 January 2013.