Pseudophilautus tanu, commonly known as the Sri Lanka petite shrub frog,[1] is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae, endemic to south-western Sri Lanka. This species is only known from two locations in the Galle District, Beraliya and Kanneliya Forest Reserves.[1][2] The specific nametanu is Sinhalese for "slender" and refers to the habitus of this frog.[3]
Description
Three adult males in the type series measure 13.5–13.9mm (0.5–0.5in) in snout–vent length; females were not reported. The snout is obtusely pointed. The tympanum is distinct and vertically elongated. The finger tips have discs with circum-marginal grooves; there is no webbing nor dermal fringes. The toes are webbed and bear discs with circum-marginal grooves. The head and body are dorsally pale brown. There are about eight dark-brown stripes of varying width on the dorsum and a dark-brown stripe about as wide as pupil running from the snout through the pupil backward to the flank, fading away on mid-flank. The lower parts are white with some scattered brown pigment.[3]
Habitat and conservation
Pseudophilautus tanu occurs in forest-edges in open shrub areas of the lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka, 24–45m (79–148ft)above sea level.[1] Males have been found sitting on leaves of shrubs about 0.5–1m (2–3ft) above the ground.[3]
Pseudophilautus tanu is a common species within its habitat.[1] In Kanneliya, it was the most common species in the fern-dominated habitat, along with Pseudophilautus hoipollo.[4] Nevertheless, unprotected forest edge areas are under constant pressure from human activities.[1]
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