Phytotriades

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Phytotriades
Phytotriades auratus.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Subfamily: Lophyohylinae
Genus: Phytotriades
Jowers et al., 2009 [2]
Species:
P. auratus
Binomial name
Phytotriades auratus
(Boulenger, 1917)
Synonyms

Amphodus auratusBoulenger, 1917
Phyllodytes auratus(Boulenger, 1917)

Contents

Phytotriades is a genus of tree frogs in the family Hylidae. [3] [4] As currently delimited, the genus is monotypic and contains Phytotriades auratus, [3] commonly known as the golden tree frog, [2] [5] bromeliad-dwelling treefrog, [6] El Tucuche golden tree frog, or Trinidad heart-tongued frog. [7]

Taxonomy

Phytotriades was separated from the genus Phyllodytes based primarily on genetic evidence; [2] [7] this also solved the unusual, disjunct distribution of the genus (the remaining Phyllodytes are endemic to eastern Brazil). [2] Nevertheless, the contents of the genus remain to be elucidated. Earlier on, also Phyllodytes wuchereri was included in the "Phyllodytes auratus group", but the position of this species has not been addressed. At the moment, it is not clear which Phyllodytes species might eventually end up in this genus. [3]

AmphibiaWeb continues to include Phytotriades auratus in Phyllodytes. [8]

Distribution

Phytotriades auratus is known from the summits of El Cerro del Aripo and El Tucuche, the two highest peaks in Trinidad, as well as from Cerro Humo on the Paria Peninsula, Venezuela, on the adjacent mainland. [5] [7] There is circumstantial evidence suggesting that the species might also occur (or have occurred) on the Isla Margarita. [5]

Description

Males grow to 29 mm (1.1 in) and females to 35 mm (1.4 in) in snout–vent length. They have serrated teeth and sharp "fangs", larger in males than in females, on their mandibles. The dorsum is chocolate brown in colour and has two iridescent, golden yellow stripes. [9]

Males are territorial and can use their fangs in combat. [9] Males are not known to call (this feature separates Phytotriades from Phyllodytes). Fecundity is probably low, with maximally 5–6 tadpoles found in a single bromeliad tank. The tadpoles hatch at a length of 14 mm (0.55 in) and grow to 40 mm (1.6 in). [2]

Habitat and conservation

On Trinidad, the species occurs in montane rainforest and elfin woodland at around 940 m (3,080 ft) above sea level. [1] On Cerro Humo, the species was found in the elfin forest near the summit of the mountain (1,250 m (4,100 ft)). Phytotriades auratus is closely associated with the giant bromeliad Glomeropitcairnia erectiflora ; also the tadpoles develop in these bromeliads. [1] [5]

Trinidadian populations are threatened by the collection of bromeliads and collecting of specimens. [1] The Northern Range Game Sanctuary (also known as the El Tucuche Reserve) provides some protection to one of the populations. On Cerro Humo, a part of the habitat falls within the Península de Paria National Park, although enforcement remains limited. Clearance for slash-and-burn plots threatens the potential habitat of the species on the slopes of the mountain. [5] The species appears to be specialized for life in high humidity relatively cool tropical montane forests on isolated mountain crests and peaks. With the threat of global climate change, and specifically warming, temperatures are expected to rise even in mountainous regions. This seems likely to result in the uphill retreat of cool-adapted tropical montane forests and the shrinking of the already small range of this frog.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hylidae</span> Family of frogs

Hylidae is a wide-ranging family of frogs commonly referred to as "tree frogs and their allies". However, the hylids include a diversity of frog species, many of which do not live in trees, but are terrestrial or semiaquatic.

El Cerro del Aripo, at 940 metres (3,084 ft), is the highest point in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is part of the Aripo Massif and is located in the Northern Range on the island of Trinidad, northeast of the town of Arima.

<i>Phyllodytes</i> Genus of amphibians

Phyllodytes is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to eastern Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slender-legged tree frogs</span> Genus of amphibians

Osteocephalus is a genus of frogs, the slender-legged tree frogs, in the family Hylidae found in the Guianas, the Amazon Basin, Venezuela, Colombia, southeastern Brazil, and north-eastern Argentina. Males are warty, while females are smooth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Tucuche</span>

El Tucuche is the second highest peak in Trinidad's Northern Range and is noted for its interesting pyramidal shape. It is fabled in Amerindian lore as a sacred mountain. There are Amerindian petroglyphs on a rock outcrop below the mountain. These are the only petroglyphs in country known to archaeologists.

<i>Mannophryne trinitatis</i> Species of amphibian

The yellow-throated frog, Trinidadian stream frog, or Trinidad poison frog is a diurnal species of frog in the family Aromobatidae that is endemic to the island of Trinidad in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad poison frogs can be found in rocky streams in moist montane forests. The species has cryptic coloration and is sexually dimorphic. Mannophryne venezuelensis from the Paria Peninsula in Venezuela were also formerly included in this species. Currently this species is listed as of "Least Concern" on IUCN, but there is a general lack of understanding of its distribution. The frog experiences habitat loss. Both sexes are territorial and provide parental care together.

Isthmohyla zeteki is a species of frogs in the family Hylidae native to the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca of Costa Rica and western Panama. The specific name zeteki honors James Zetek, an American entomologist who worked in Panama. Common name Zetek's treefrog has been coined for the species.

Nyctimystes persimilis, also known as the Milne big-eyed treefrog, is a species of frog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae of the family Hylidae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea and known from Mount Dayman and Mount Simpson in the Owen Stanley Range.

Osteocephalus deridens is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is found in the Napo and Pastaza River drainages in eastern Ecuador and in the Loreto Region, northern Peru. The specific name deridens is derived from Latin deridere, meaning "make fun of someone". This alludes to the males calling from the treetops that sound "as if they are laughing at the collectors' vain attempts to reach them". Common name funny slender-legged treefrog has been coined for this species.

The Alagoas heart-tongued frog is a species of frog in the family Hylidae, the tree frogs and allies. It is endemic to Brazil, where it is known from coastal regions in Bahia, Alagoas, and Pernambuco. It has been observed as high as 550 meters above sea level.

<i>Phyllodytes edelmoi</i> Species of frog

Phyllodytes edelmoi is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Brazil. It has been observed as high as 650 meters above sea level.

Phyllodytes gyrinaethes is a species of frogs in the family Hylidae endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It has been observed as high as 710 meters above sea level.

<i>Phyllodytes wuchereri</i> Species of frog

Phyllodytes wuchereri is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Brazil in the Atlantic forest in the state of Bahia. This frog has been observed 400 meters above sea level.

Leptopelis susanae is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to southwest Ethiopia and known from the Gughe Mountains and Saja Forest. The specific name susanae honours Susan, the wife of the describer, Malcolm Largen. Common names Susan's tree frog and Susana's [sic] forest treefrog have been coined for this species.

Leptopelis yaldeni is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to Ethiopia and occurs in the montane highlands in Gojjam. Its range might be limited by the deep gorges of the Blue Nile. It is named in honour of Derek Yalden, a British zoologist who collected some of the types. Common names Yalden's tree frog and grassland forest treefrog have been coined for this species.

<i>Glomeropitcairnia erectiflora</i> Species of flowering plant

Glomeropitcairnia erectiflora is a plant species in the genus Glomeropitcairnia. This epiphytic tank bromeliad species is native to Venezuela and to the island of Trinidad, occurring in montane and elfin cloud forests. It is used by tree frog Phytotriades auratus as a refuge and nesting site.

<i>Phyllodytes maculosus</i> Species of amphibian

Phyllodytes maculosus is a species of frogs in the family Hylidae endemic to Brazil's rainforests. It has been observed between 77 and 837 meters above sea level.

Phyllodytes megatympanum is a frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Brazil. It has been observed between 90 and 95 meters above sea level.

<i>Phyllodytes praeceptor</i> Species of amphibian

Phyllodytes praeceptor is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to coastal areas in the state of Bahia in Brazil. It has also been seen in Serra da Jiboia, 694 m above sea level.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Phytotriades auratus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T55830A109536434. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T55830A109536434.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Jowers, Michael J.; Downie, J. R.; Cohen, B. L. (2008). "The Golden Tree Frog of Trinidad, Phyllodytes auratus (Anura: Hylidae): systematic and conservation status". Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment. 43 (3): 181–188. doi:10.1080/01650520801965490. S2CID   85604118.
  3. 1 2 3 Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Phytotriades Jowers, Downieb, and Cohen, 2009". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  4. ↑ Vitt, Laurie J.; Caldwell, Janalee P. (2014). Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (4th ed.). Academic Press. p. 494.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Rivas-Fuenmayor, G. A.; de Freitas S., M. (2015). "Discovery of the critically endangered Golden Tree Frog, Phytotriades auratus (Boulenger, 1917), in eastern Venezuela, with comments on its distribution, conservation, and biogeography". Herpetological Review. 46: 153–157.
  6. ↑ John C. Murphy. "Bromeliad-dwelling Treefrog, Phytotriades auratus (Family Hylidae)". The Herpetofauna of Trinidad & Tobago. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Phytotriades auratus (Boulenger, 1917)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Hylidae". AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  9. 1 2 Adaila Russell (2015). "Phytotriades auratus (Golden Tree Frog)" (PDF). The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago. University of the West Indies. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
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