Telmatobius dankoi

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Telmatobius dankoi
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Telmatobiidae
Genus: Telmatobius
Species:
T. dankoi
Binomial name
Telmatobius dankoi
Formas, Northland, Capetillo, Núñez, Cuevas, Brieva, 1999 [2] [3]

Telmatobius dankoi, also known as the Loa water frog, is a species of critically endangered aquatic frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to Chile and is only known from its type locality near Calama, in the El Loa province. [1] [3] Only 14 individuals are known from captivity following the destruction of its habitat prior to 2019, so it may already be extinct in the wild. [4] [5] However, it is doubtfully distinct from Telmatobius halli and thus may not be a distinct species. [6]

Contents

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Telmatobius dankoi is only known from its type locality near Calama, northern Chile

Taxonomy

The specific name dankoi honors professor Danko Brncic  [ es ], a Chilean geneticist. [2] Prior to its description in 1999, it was confused with Telmatobius halli. [2] However, multiple studies indicate little divergence between this species and Telmatobius vilamensis , and T. vilmanensis itself is doubtfully distinct from T. halli, and thus all three species may be conspecific with one another. [6] [7] [8]

Description

Adult males measure 49–55 mm (1.9–2.2 in) and females 46–52 mm (1.8–2.0 in) in snout–vent length. There are small thorns on the posterior third of the body, flanks, head, and extremities. Tympanum and tympanic ring are absent. The toes are webbed. Males have small nuptial spines. [2]

The tadpoles are large: the longest measured tadpole was 85 mm (3.3 in). The body is ovoid and measures about 30 mm (1.2 in) among the largest tadpoles. [2]

Habitat and ecology

The species has been collected in small streams along the Loa River at about 2,260 m (7,410 ft) above sea level. [1] [2] The streams are bordered by Baccharis glutinosa and Tessaria absinthioides [2] and are located in a high desert environment. [1] [2]

Stomach contents of two adult specimens revealed a diet consisting of odonate larvae, snails of genus Littoridina , and amphipods ( Hyalella gracilicornis); the last were the dominant group. Beetles from families Dytiscidae and Elmidae were present in the habitat but not identified in the stomach contents. [2]

Tapeworm Ophiotaenia calamensis was described as a new species based on specimens from the small intestine of this frog. Three tapeworms, measuring 45–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in) in total length, were found in the eight adult male frogs examined. [9]

Conservation

In 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed Telmatobius dankoi as being critically endangered. Its range is very small, and the habitat is affected by water pollution from mining activities. Additional threats are abstraction of surface water for human consumption and agriculture, as well as recreational activities. [1]

In 2019, a team of conservationists and indigenous leaders visited the type locality of the species and found that it had been devastated by water extraction by mining, agriculture, and real estate development, with the creeks completely dry and the vegetation parched. The lack of dead frogs indicated that the change had happened a long time prior to their arrival. Further surveys found a small, muddy pool of water nearby which contained 14 highly malnourished individuals, possibly the last surviving members of the species. The frogs were captured and transported to the Chilean National Zoo for the purpose of captive breeding. Conservationists have petitioned the Chilean government to protect and restore the habitat of T. dankoi for reintroduction. [4] [5] In October 2020, the National Zoo announced the birth of about 200 tadpoles, offspring of the specimens rescued in 2019.

Related Research Articles

<i>Telmatobius</i> Genus of amphibians

Telmatobius is a genus of frogs native to the Andean highlands in South America, where they are found in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, northwestern Argentina and northern Chile. It is the only genus in the family Telmatobiidae. Some sources recognize Batrachophrynus as a valid genus distinct from Telmatobius.

<i>Eupsophus</i> Genus of amphibians

Eupsophus is a genus of frogs in the family Alsodidae. They are sometimes known as ground frogs. The genus is endemic to Patagonia. Eupsophus is the second most species-rich frog genera of Patagonia. These frogs are restricted to forested areas at southern latitudes.

Alsodes igneus is a species of frogs in the family Alsodidae endemic to Chile; it is only known from its type locality, Tolhuaca National Park, Malleco Province, on the western slopes of the Andes. The specific name igneus, meaning "something that is of fire", was chosen to symbolize the survival of the population from a great forest fire that affected the type locality in 2000.

<i>Telmatobius macrostomus</i> Species of amphibian


Telmatobius macrostomus, also known as the Lake Junin (giant) frog or Andes smooth frog, is a very large and endangered species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. This completely aquatic frog is endemic to lakes and associated waters at altitudes of 4,000–4,600 m (13,100–15,100 ft) in the Andes of Junín and Pasco in central Peru. It has been introduced to slow-moving parts of the upper Mantaro River, although it is unclear if this population still persists.

Cycloramphus dubius is a species of frog in the family Cycloramphidae. It is endemic to the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Common name São Paulo button frog has been coined for it.

<i>Eupsophus emiliopugini</i> Species of frog

Eupsophus emiliopugini is a species of frog in the family Alsodidae. It is found in the temperate Nothofagus forests of Chile between 40°50'S and 45°20'S, and in the Lago Puelo National Park, Chubut Province, Argentina. The specific name emiliopugini honors Professor Emilio Pugín, for "his contribution to knowledge of the reproductive biology and development of the Chilean frogs". Common name Emilio's ground frog has been coined for the species.

Telmatobius arequipensis is a species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to southern Peru. It has an altitudinal range of 2,000–4,500 m (6,600–14,800 ft) asl. Two subspecies have been described, Telmatobius arequipensis arequipensis and Telmatobius arequipensis natatorVellard, 1955. Its common name is Chili water frog, after its type locality near Río Chili.

Telmatobius gigas is a critically endangered species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to the Huayllamarca River at an altitude of about 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) in the Carangas Province in Bolivia. Its tiny range makes it highly vulnerable to pollution, and it may also be threatened by over-harvesting for medicinal use and the disease chytridiomycosis. As suggested by its scientific name, this is a very large species of frog with a snout-vent length of up to 10.9 centimetres (4.3 in) in females. In the genus Telmatobius, only two other threatened species, the Titicaca water frog and Lake Junin frog, are larger. T. gigas is very closely related to the smaller and more widespread T. marmoratus, and they might be conspecific.

Telmatobius halli is a species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to northern Chile and only known from its type locality near Ollagüe. The specific name halli honors Frank Gregory Hall, an American specialist on the effects of high altitudes on human body and collector of the type series. Its common name is Hall's water frog.

Telmatobius ignavus is a species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to the Cordillera de Huancabamba in the Department of Piura, Peru. Common name Piura water frog has been coined for it.

<i>Telmatobius marmoratus</i> Species of amphibian

Telmatobius marmoratus, the marbled water frog, is a vulnerable species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. The most widespread species in the genus, it is found in the Andean highlands of Bolivia, northern Chile and southern Peru. It may also occur in northwestern Argentina, but the taxonomic position of this population is unclear. This semiaquatic frog is found in and near streams, rivers, waterfalls, lakes and ponds.

Telmatobius mayoloi is a species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and rivers. This species is primarily found in central Peru. They can also be found in Andes, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina in high elevation areas ranging from 1,300 to 5,400 meters high.

Telmatobius pefauri is a species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to extreme northern Chile. It was already feared that this species is extinct, but recent research has suggested that the species is extant at several localities in the Arica y Parinacota Region, albeit at low numbers. Furthermore, morphological and genetic data suggest that Telmatobius zapahuirensis is a synonym of Telmatobius pefauri. Common name Arico water frog has been coined for this species.

Telmatobius peruvianus, also known as the Peru water frog, is a species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. This semiaquatic frog is endemic to Andean highlands in southeastern Peru and far northern Chile where found in streams and small rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss, pollution, collection for human consumption and infection by chytrid fungi, and it has not been seen in Chile since 1986.

Telmatobius vilamensis is a species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to northern Chile and only known from its type locality, Río Vilama near San Pedro de Atacama. The specific name vilamensis refers to the type locality. It may already be extinct, although it is doubtfully distinct from Telmatobius halli.

<i>Telmatobius culeus</i> Species of amphibian

Telmatobius culeus, commonly known as the Titicaca water frog, is a medium-large to very large and endangered species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is entirely aquatic and only found in the Lake Titicaca basin, including rivers that flow into it and smaller connected lakes like Arapa, Lagunillas and Saracocha, in the Andean highlands of Bolivia and Peru. In reference to its excessive amounts of skin, it has jokingly been referred to as the Titicaca scrotum (water) frog.

<i>Calyptocephalella</i> Genus of amphibians

Calyptocephalella is a genus of frogs in the family Calyptocephalellidae. It is represented by a single living species, Calyptocephalella gayi, commonly known as the helmeted water toad, Chilean helmeted bull frog or wide-mouth toad. Additionally, there are a few extinct species that only are known from Late Cretaceous and Paleogene fossil remains from Patagonia in South America and in the Antarctic Peninsula. The helmeted water toad living today is aquatic to semi-aquatic, and found in deep ponds and reservoirs in central Chile and possibly adjacent west-central Argentina.

<i>Telmatobius chusmisensis</i> Species of amphibian

Telmatobius chusmisensis is a species of frogs in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to northern Chile and is only known from a number of localities in the Tarapacá Region. The specific name chusmisensis refers to its type locality, Chusmisa.

Telmatobius espadai, also known as the Inquisivi water frog, is a species of frogs in the family Telmatobiidae, one of fourteen species of Telmatobius water frogs endemic to Bolivia.

<i>Telmatobius ventriflavum</i> Species of amphibian

Telmatobius ventriflavum, the Andean Water Frog, is a species of water frogs from the western Andes in Peru.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2021). "Telmatobius dankoi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T57335A190223334. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T57335A190223334.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Formas, J. R.; Northland, I.; J. Capetillo; J. J. Nuñez; C. C. Cuevas; L. M. Brieva (1999). "Telmatobius dankoi, una nueva especie de rana acuatica del norte de Chile (Leptodactylidae)" [Telmatobius dankoi, a new species of aquatic frog from northern Chile (Leptodactylidae)](PDF). Revista Chilena de Historia Natural (in Spanish). 72: 427–445.
  3. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Telmatobius dankoi Formas, Northland, Capetillo, Nuñez, Cuevas, and Brieva, 1999". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Rescue Team Evacuates World's Last Few Loa Water Frogs from Perilously Dry Habitat in Chile". Global Wildlife Conservation. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  5. 1 2 "World's Last Loa Water Frogs Found Malnourished, Rescued in Chile". Geek.com. 2019-08-20. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  6. 1 2 von Tschirnhaus, Jakob; Correa, Claudio (2021-12-22). "The definitive rediscovery of Telmatobius halli (Anura, Telmatobiidae) at its historic type locality and its synonymy with T. dankoi and T. vilamensis". ZooKeys (1079): 1–33. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1079.69036 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   8716510 . PMID   35068957.
  7. ↑ Sáez, Paola A.; Fibla, Pablo; Correa, Claudio; Sallaberry, Michel; Salinas, Hugo; Veloso, Alberto; Mella, Jorge; Iturra, Patricia; Méndez, Marco A. (2014-07-24). "A new endemic lineage of the Andean frog genusTelmatobius(Anura, Telmatobiidae) from the western slopes of the central Andes". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 171 (4): 769–782. doi: 10.1111/zoj.12152 . ISSN   0024-4082.
  8. ↑ FIBLA, PABLO; SALINAS, HUGO; LOBOS, GABRIEL; POZO, TALÍA DEL; FABRES, ALEJANDRA; MÉNDEZ, MARCO A. (2018-12-03). "Where is the enigmatic Telmatobius halli Noble 1938? Rediscovery and clarification of a frog species not seen for 80 years". Zootaxa. 4527 (1): 61–74. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4527.1.5. ISSN   1175-5334. PMID   30651476. S2CID   58620641.
  9. ↑ Puga, Sonia; Formas, J. Ramón; Gardiner, Stephen L. (2005). "Ophiotaenia calamensis, a new species of proteocephalid tapeworm from the Andean aquatic frog Telmatobius dankoi (Leptodactylidae)". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 118 (2): 245–250. doi:10.2988/0006-324X(2005)118[245:OCANSO]2.0.CO;2.
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