Pseudophilautus steineri | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Rhacophoridae |
Genus: | Pseudophilautus |
Species: | P. steineri |
Binomial name | |
Pseudophilautus steineri (Meegaskumbura & Manamendra-Arachchi, 2005) | |
Synonyms | |
Philautus steineriMeegaskumbura & Manamendra-Arachchi, 2005 Contents |
Pseudophilautus steineri, known as Steiner's shrub frog, is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae.
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. In a 2020 assessment the IUCN declared this species as Endangered.
Steiner's Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus steineri) inhabits the highest elevations within the Knuckles Range. It primarily resides in closed-canopy habitats among the leaf-litter, shrubs, and sub-canopy trees. Males of this species are frequently observed calling from branches positioned 0.3 to 3 meters above the ground. These frogs engage in presumed breeding by means of direct development. They exhibit a low tolerance for habitat disturbance as they heavily rely on the presence of canopy cover for their survival.
Steiner's Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus steineri) is a species of frog belonging to the family Rhacophoridae. The genus Pseudophilautus is recognized for its diversity within the shrub frog group, and Steiner's Shrub Frog is no exception. Taxonomically, it falls within the order Anura, class Amphibia. The scientific nomenclature is derived from the Greek "pseudes" meaning "false," and "philaute" meaning "to be charmed." This nomenclature reflects the unique and charming characteristics of these frogs. Steiner's Shrub Frog, like many amphibians, is intricately classified based on its morphological and genetic traits, contributing to our understanding of its evolutionary relationships within the broader context of amphibian biodiversity.
The Knuckles Mountain Forest Reserve (KMFR), the natural habitat of Steiner's Shrub Frog, is under severe and imminent threats. These include extensive agricultural practices, particularly illegal cardamom plantations and the pollution resulting from pesticide use. Much of the primary forest in the KMFR has been cleared to make way for cash-crop cultivation, including tea and cardamom, which leads to the gathering of wood for processing and drying barns, as well as timber and fuelwood supply for villages. Additionally, unregulated research work, resort and building construction, uncontrolled tourism access, and human-set forest fires are further endangering the KMFR. [2]
Climate change poses a significant threat to Steiner's Shrub Frog. Annual rainfall is declining steeply in the region, especially on the perhumid western slopes, causing the area to become drier and more seasonal. Factors contributing to this change include a reduction in annual rainfall, changes in rainfall distribution, and increasing temperatures. These climatic shifts elevate the risk of forest fires, which are unnatural in rainforests. As these frogs rely on ambient forest moisture for homeostasis and reproduction, highland aridification and warming pose serious potential threats to these species. [2]
The phenomenon of forest dieback, characterized by extensive stands of woody vegetation perishing, presents an additional threat. Despite numerous studies, the exact cause remains unknown. There is a concern that this environmental stressor might harm amphibians and disrupt their suitable habitats. High acidity in mist- and rain-water is considered a potential risk to the highland biota, although there is no direct evidence of its negative impact on amphibians to date. This threat is particularly relevant to species residing in areas with persistent mist and those inhabiting open habitats with aquatic life history stages. [2]
Pseudophilautus alto is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and known from the Horton Plains and Pattipola.
Pseudophilautus asankai, commonly called Asanka's shrub frog, is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae.
Pseudophilautus auratus, commonly called golden shrub frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae, endemic to Sri Lanka, where it lives in closed-canopy cloud forests between 513 and 1270 meters above sea level, including the Sinharaja World Heritage Site and Kanneliya Forest.
Pseudophilautus cavirostris, commonly called hollow-snouted shrub frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Pseudophilautus decoris, commonly known as the elegant shrub frog, is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Pseudophilautus fulvus, known as Knuckles shrub frog is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae.
Pseudophilautus hypomelas is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae endemic to Sri Lanka. It is sometimes referred to as the webless shrub frog. In 2004 it was declared extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature when, despite extensive field efforts, no specimen had been seen in the wild after the species was described by Albert Günther in 1876. However, this frog was rediscovered in 2010 in the Peak Wilderness, a highly biodiverse area in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. Thus, this species had been "lost" for more than 130 years.
Pseudophilautus limbus, also known as Haycock shrub frog, is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to southwestern Sri Lanka, including its type locality, Haycock Hill (Hiniduma) Forest Reserve. The specific name limbus, from the Latin for "edge" or "border", refers to the species originally having been known only from the border of the Haycock Hill Forest Reserve.
Pseudophilautus microtympanum, also known as Gunther's bubble-nest frog or small-eared shrub frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the central hills of Sri Lanka. Its natural habitat are both closed and open canopy habitats. Sub-adults and juveniles are more often found in grassland and disturbed habitats, whereas adult frogs are usually found in closed-canopy habitats. It is threatened by habitat loss, agrochemical pollution, and the desiccation of its habitat.
Pseudophilautus ocularis, known as golden-eyed shrub frog is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae.
Pseudophilautus papillosus, known as papillated shrub frog is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae.
Pseudophilautus silus, known as pug-nosed shrub frog is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to southern Sri Lanka and known from the both sides of the Horton Plains.
Pseudophilautus silvaticus, known as forest shrub frog is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae.
Pseudophilautus viridis, or the dull-green shrub frog, is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka and occurs in the central hills of south-central Sri Lanka.
Pseudophilautus zorro, the Gannoruwa shrub frog is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to central Sri Lanka.
Pseudophilautus is a genus of shrub frogs in the family Rhacophoridae endemic to the Western Ghats of southwestern India and to Sri Lanka where the majority of the species are found. Many of them are already extinct. On the other, some species believed to be extinct have also been rediscovered.
Pseudophilautus simba is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae endemic to Sri Lanka. It is only known from its type locality in the Morningside Forest Reserve, adjacent to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, near Rakwana, southern Sri Lanka.
Pseudophilautus hankeni, the Hanken's shrub frog, is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae, endemic to the Knuckles Mountain Range, Sri Lanka.
Pseudophilautus samarakoon, the Samarakoon's shrub frog, is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae, endemic to Sri Lanka. Wickramasinghe et al. suggest that, following the IUCN Red List criteria, it should be considered "critically endangered" because the extent of occurrence is <100 km2, it is recorded from a single location, and its habitat is under severe threat.
Sri Lanka petite shrub frog,, is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae, endemic to southwestern Sri Lanka. This relatively recently described species is only known from two locations in the Galle District, Beraliya and Kanneliya Forest Reserves. The specific name tanu is Sinhalese for "slender" and refers to the habitus of this frog.