Eupsophus vertebralis

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Eupsophus vertebralis
Eupsophus vertebralis (cropped).jpg
Eupsophus vertebralis releasing a sticky secretion from its skin.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Alsodidae
Genus: Eupsophus
Species:
E. vertebralis
Binomial name
Eupsophus vertebralis
Grandison, 1961

Eupsophus vertebralis also known as the Valdivian ground frog, is a species of frog in the family Alsodidae. It is found in Argentina and Chile. [2] [3]

Contents

Habitat

Its natural habitats are Nothofagus forest, rivers, and intermittent freshwater marshes. People find these frogs under logs. Scientists observed this frog between 50 and 1100 meters above sea level. [2] [1]

Scientists have found this frog inside some protected parks: National Park Tolhuaca, Parque Nacional Alerce Costero, Parque Nacional Puyehue, Monumento Natural Contulmo, and Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi..

Threats

The IUCN classifies this animal as least concern of extinction. It is threatened by habitat loss associated with firewood collection and conversion of forest land to pine and eucalyptus plantations. Forest fires are also a threat. [1]

Young

The female frog lays eggs in small puddles in the ground. The tadpoles do not eat. [1]

Defense

The species is capable of releasing a sticky secretion from its skin when stressed. The shear strength of this secretion is similar to that of cyanoacrylate (also known as super glue). [4]


Original description

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2019). "Eupsophus vertebralis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T57080A79812871. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T57080A79812871.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. "Eupsophus vertebralis Grandison, 1961". Amphibian Species of the World, an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History, New York. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  3. "Eupsophus vertebralis Grandison, 1961". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  4. Suárez-Villota, Elkin Y.; Trovatti, Eliane; Contreras, Felipe A.; Nuñez, José J. (2021-08-24). "Characterisation of a skin secretion with adhesive properties in the ground frog Eupsophus vertebralis (Alsodidae)". Herpetozoa. 34: 169–173. doi: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e68576 . ISSN   2682-955X.