| Hyloxalus awa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Dendrobatidae |
| Genus: | Hyloxalus |
| Species: | H. awa |
| Binomial name | |
| Hyloxalus awa (Coloma , 1995) | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
Colostethus awaColoma, 1995 [3] | |
Hyloxalus awa is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae. It is endemic to Ecuador and known from the western Andean slopes and the western Pacific lowlands. [1] [2] [4]
Males measure 16–22 mm (0.63–0.87 in) and females 19–26 mm (0.75–1.02 in) in snout–vent length. Dorsum is reddish brown with diffuse dark marks. Flanks are dark gray. [3] [4]
Scientists named this frog awa for the Awa indigenous people. They live in some of the same places as the frog. The word "Awa" means "people." [5]
The male call is a trill of about 3–5 seconds in duration, emitted at a rate of six calls per minute. [3] Males are territorial and aggressive towards other males. Under laboratory conditions, mating takes place in morning and clutch size is 4 to 21 eggs. [4] Eggs are laid on leaf-litter or low vegetation; the adults carry the tadpoles on their back to nearby streams where they complete their development. [1]
Natural habitats of Hyloxalus awa are humid sub-montane tropical forest at elevations of 40–1,327 m (131–4,354 ft) above sea level. It is threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture (both crops and livestock), logging, and agricultural pollution. [1]
The frog's range includes several protected park: Reserva Ecológica Manglares Cayapas Mataje, Refugio de Vida Silvestre Manglares Estuario del Río Muisne, Reserva Ecológica Mache-Chindul, Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas, Refugio de Vida Silvestre El Pambilar, Reserva Ecológica Los Ilinizas. [1]
