Theloderma corticale

Last updated

Theloderma corticale
Theloderma corticale - Karlsruhe Zoo 01.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Theloderma
Species:
T. corticale
Binomial name
Theloderma corticale
(Boulenger, 1903)
Synonyms [2]
  • Rhacophorus corticalisBoulenger, 1903
  • Rhacophorus fruhstorferiAhl, 1927
  • Theloderma kwangsiense(Liu and Hu, 1962)
  • Rhacophorus leprosus ssp. kwangsiensisLiu and Hu, 1962
  • Theloderma leporosa ssp. kwangsiensis(Liu and Hu, 1962)

Theloderma corticale (common names: mossy frog, [3] Vietnamese mossy frog, [4] Tonkin bug-eyed frog, moss bug-eyed frog, [2] and [for the formerly recognized Theloderma kwangsiense] Kwangsi warty treefrog) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae.The theloderma corticale is often difficult to identify visually as there are cryptic species that look very similar to it. It has been often confused with theloderma asperum, theloderma stellatum, and theloderma albopunctatum. Using DNA barcoding techniques (extracting and analyzing genetic material from various samples) researchers were able to correctly identify the theloderma corticale and confirm the frog's range is indeed greater than just northern Vietnam. [5] It is now known to be found in northern Vietnam, south–central Laos, and southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan). [2]

Contents

Description

The common name "mossy frog" arises from the fact that its skin is a mottled green and brown that resembles moss growing on rock, and forms an effective form of camouflage. They have large sticky pads on their toes and a soft underbelly. They measure about 61 mm (2.4 in) in snout–vent length. [6] The females will grow larger than the males and can reach sizes of 8–9 cm (3.1–3.5 in). This species will curl into a ball when frightened, and play dead. [3] [4]

Habitat

Its natural habitats are primarily evergreen rainforests and subtropical forest where they have been found inside pools in hollowed-out logs, placed by the local villagers. It is semi-aquatic and found in caves and steep rocky cliffs. This frog has been observed between 470 and 1500 meters above sea level. Breeding takes place in rock cavities or tree holes. [1] [3] [4] [2]

Diet

Its diet consists of crickets, cockroaches, and earthworms.

Conservation

Its habitat is threatened by forest loss. It is also collected for the international pet trade. Like many amphibians, the Vietnamese mossy frog is vulnerable to the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis . Nonetheless, the conservation of this species is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Theloderma</i> Genus of amphibians

Theloderma, the bug-eyed frogs, mossy frogs or warty frogs, is a genus of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae, subfamily Rhacophorinae. They are found from northeastern India and southern China, through Southeast Asia, to the Greater Sunda Islands; the highest species richness is in Indochina. Some species, especially T. corticale, are sometimes kept in captivity.

<i>Theloderma asperum</i> Species of amphibian

Theloderma asperum is a frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is also known as the pied warty frog, hill garden bug-eyed frog, or somewhat informally, bird poop frog. The frog can be found in the northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam as well as Sumatra in Indonesia. However, because of confusion with Theloderma albopunctatum and Theloderma baibungense, it is known with certainty from its type locality in Peninsular Malaysia.

Theloderma petilus, the slender warted tree frog or slender bug-eyed frog, is a frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is occurs in Vietnam, where it has been observed in the Muong Nhe Nature Reserve. It is also native to Laos and Thailand. Scientists think it may live in China.

<i>Zhangixalus feae</i> Species of frog

Zhangixalus feae is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in southwestern Yunnan (China), northern Laos, northern and central highlands of Vietnam, northern Thailand, and Myanmar. The specific name feae honors Leonardo Fea, an Italian explorer, zoologist, and naturalist.

Theloderma bicolor is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae, sometimes known with common name Chapa bug-eyed frog. It is found in northwestern Vietnam from the Quang Tri Province northwards and in central and southeastern Yunnan (China). This frog has been observed between 1400 and 1800 meters above sea level.

Theloderma gordoni is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is known from northern Thailand, northern Laos, and central to northern Vietnam. Common names Gordon's bug-eyed frog, Gordon's warted frog, and large warted treefrog have been coined for it.

<i>Theloderma horridum</i> Species of frog

Theloderma horridum is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

<i>Theloderma leporosum</i> Species of amphibian

Theloderma leporosum is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra (Indonesia).

Theloderma stellatum, the Taylor's bug-eyed frog, purple-spotted warted frog, spotty warted tree frog, stellar bug-eyed frog, or Chantaburi bug-eyed tree frog is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical periodically flooded lowland and montane forests between 0 and 1500 meters above sea level. This species deposits eggs in rain water collected in small tree holes; the tadpoles feed on the organic matter aggregated in a tannin-rich rain water. Notches aiming resin collection increase carrying capacity of the frogs providing additional breeding sites.

Theloderma licin, also known as the smooth frog and the white-backed bug-eyed frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae found in peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, and Indonesia's Sumatra island. It inhabits lowland to montane forests. It can be found in water filled tree holes, bamboo cuts, or man-made objects like metal pipes.

Theloderma palliatum is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Vietnam and so far only known from the Bidoup Núi Bà and Chư Yang Sin National Parks. This species, together with Theloderma nebulosum, was first found by Australian and Vietnamese scientists in Tay Nguyen in 2011.

<i>Theloderma albopunctatum</i> Species of frog

Theloderma albopunctatum, the dotted bubble-nest frog, warty tree frog, rough-skinned small tree frog, cobalt-gray warted frog, rough-skinned whistling tree frog, rough-skinned small tree frog, rough paddle-leg frog, white-banded small tree frog, white-patterned small tree frog, white-spotted bug-eyed frog, or pied warted tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to China. Scientists believe it may also live in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. There are similar frogs in India, Myanmar, and Thailand, but scientists suspect these are a complex of related species.

Theloderma vietnamense, the South Vietnamese bug-eyed frog or South Vietnamese bug eye frog, is a frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. It has been observed no higher than 1400 meters above sea level.

Theloderma truongsonense, the Truong Son bug-eyed frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Vietnam and Laos. It has been observed between 300 and 1300 meters above sea level.

Theloderma ryabovi, or Ryabov's bug-eyed frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Vietnam. Scientists know it from the type locality.

Theloderma lateriticum, the brick-red bug-eyed frog, is a frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is native to Vietnam and China and has been observed 1130 meters above sea level.

Theloderma pyaukkya, the Burmese camouflaged tree frog, Burmese warty tree frog or Burmese bug-eyed frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is native to China and western Myanmar.

Theloderma annae, Anna's bug-eyed frog or Anna's mossy frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Vietnam. It has been observed in the Ngoc Son–Ngo Luong Nature Reserve and Cuc Phuong National Park.

Theloderma auratum, the golden bug-eyed frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Vietnam and predicted in Laos. It has been recorded in montane tropical forest habitats.

Theloderma lacustrinum, the lake bug-eyed frog, is a frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Laos. Scientists know it exclusively from the type locality: Ban Naxang Village near the Nam Lik Reservoir.

References

  1. 1 2 3 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2017). "Theloderma corticale". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T59033A87476136. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T59033A87476136.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Frost, Darrel R. (2022). "Theloderma corticale (Boulenger, 1903)". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001 . Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Mossy Frog (Theloderma corticale)". World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Vietnamese Mossy Frog (Theloderma corticale)". Newquay Zoo. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  5. ↑ Huang, Huayuan; Chen, Zening; Wei, Zhonghui; Bu, Rongping; Wu, Zhengjun (17 February 2018). "DNA barcoding revises a misidentification on mossy frog: new record and distribution extension of Theloderma corticale Boulenger, 1903 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae)". Mitochondrial DNA Part A. 29 (2): 273–280. doi:10.1080/24701394.2016.1275601. ISSN   2470-1394.
  6. ↑ Fei, L. (1999). Atlas of Amphibians of China (in Chinese). Zhengzhou: Henan Press of Science and Technology. p. 266. ISBN   7-5349-1835-9.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.