Eleutherodactylus ruthae

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Eleutherodactylus ruthae
Eleutherodactylus ruthae 45030922.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Eleutherodactylidae
Genus: Eleutherodactylus
Species:
E. ruthae
Binomial name
Eleutherodactylus ruthae
Noble, 1923

Eleutherodactylus ruthae (common name: Ruth's robber frog) is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to Hispaniola and known from scattered locations in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. [2] It was described by Gladwyn Kingsley Noble, who named it in honour of his wife, Ruth Crosby Noble; she also first discovered the species. [3] It might represent more than one species. [1] Eleutherodactylus aporostegus , Eleutherodactylus bothroboans , Eleutherodactylus tychaethrous were first described as subspecies of Eleutherodactylus ruthae, but have later been elevated to full species status. [2]

Contents

Description

The holotype, an adult male, measured 49 mm (1.9 in) in snout–vent length. The snout is distinctly shovel-shaped. Dorsum is spotted. Skin is glandular and finely warty above, with best developed warts on sides of body. [3]

Habitat and conservation

The natural habitats of Eleutherodactylus ruthae are xeric pine forest and mesic forest. Its altitudinal range is from sea level 900 m (3,000 ft) asl. Males call from closed underground chambers where the eggs are also laid. [1]

This rarely encountered frog is believed to be declining. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by logging and agriculture. However, it has declined even in suitable habitats, and factors such as invasive predators, climate change, and chytridiomycosis might also play a role. [1]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Eleutherodactylus minutus</i> Species of frog

Eleutherodactylus minutus, also known as the Hispaniolan wheeping frog, is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic, at elevations of 879–2,300 m (2,884–7,546 ft) asl. Its common name is tiny robber frog. Its natural habitats are mesic upland broadleaf or pine forests. In suitable habitat it is moderately common. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by agriculture.

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The spiny giant frog or Norton's robber frog, Eleutherodactylus nortoni, is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is named after James W. Norton who accompanied Albert Schwartz in his 1974 expedition to Hispaniola and collected the holotype.

Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog Species of amphibian

The Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog or painted robber frog, Eleutherodactylus pictissimus, is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to Hispaniola and found in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its natural habitats are dry scrub forest, mesic broadleaf forest, and secondary forest. It is a terrestrial frog that lays its eggs on the ground. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<i>Eleutherodactylus pinchoni</i> Species of frog

Eleutherodactylus pinchoni is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to Guadeloupe and known from the Basse-Terre. Common name Grand Cafe robber frog has been coined for it.

Eleutherodactylus pituinus is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic, at elevations of 1,212–1,770 m (3,976–5,807 ft) asl. Its natural habitats are upland pinewoods and forests. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by agriculture and by disturbance from ecotourism. Also chytridiomycosis is a threat.

Eleutherodactylus schmidti is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to Hispaniola, and found in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It is sometimes referred to as the Schmidt's robber frog. It is named in honour of Karl Patterson Schmidt.

Eleutherodactylus wetmorei is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae.

Ruth Crosby Noble American author and herpetologist

Ruth Crosby Noble was an American author and herpetologist. Working for the American Museum of Natural History, she and her husband Gladwyn Kingsley Noble discovered a new species of frog, the Eleutherodactylus ruthae, named for her. Noble later authored The Nature of the Beast, a book on animal behavior.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Blair Hedges, Sixto Inchaustegui, Richard Thomas, Robert Powell (2004). "Eleutherodactylus ruthae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2004: e.T56938A11557345. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T56938A11557345.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Eleutherodactylus ruthae Noble, 1923". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  3. 1 2 Noble, G. K. (1923). "Six new batrachians from the Dominican Republic". American Museum Novitates (61): 1–6. hdl:2246/4342.