Uperoleia saxatilis Catullo, Doughty, Roberts & Keogh 2011

The tiny Pilbara toadlet (Uperoleia saxatilis)^[2]) is a species of frog in the family Myobatrachidae. It is endemic to the arid Pilbara region of Australia. It is a burrowing frog and is found in rocky gorges and creeks in the Pilbara following cyclonic rains.^[3] The species name saxatilis means "rock-dwelling".^[1]

Description

They are only about 2 centimetres (0.79 in) long with small limbs and a narrow snout. They have large glands and their toes have extensive webbing. They are brown with darker spotting and red femoral patches.^[1] They eat termites and small insects they find underground. Males sit in the rocks in places where "they can amplify and direct their call to the females".^[3] Their closest relative is thought to be the mole toadlet (Uperoleia talpa), which looks very similar but has a higher-pitched and more intense call.

Discovery

The Pilbara toadlet was recently identified as a new species through DNA analysis by researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, and the Western Australian Museum and University of Western Australia in Perth to differentiate between frog species that look very similar. A doctoral candidate from the ANU, Renee Catullo, said: "The good news is that it appears to be secure from a conservation perspective ... Toadlets are native to Australia and this new species brings the total number to 27, the second-largest group of frog species in the country."^[4] The discovery was part of a research project that uses genetic analysis to try to understand the true number of species of toadlets, as DNA can be used to differentiate between very similar species. "They tell themselves apart by their different calls, but we're not so good at that", Catullo said.^[5]

References

Uperoleia saxatilis^[1]​ es una especie de anfibio anuro de la familia Myobatrachidae.

Distribución geográfica

Esta especie es endémica de la región de Pilbara en Australia Occidental. Conocido solo en Cratón de Pilbara en asociación de hábitats rocosos, Australia.^[2]​

Publicación original

• Catullo, Doughty, Roberts & Keogh, 2011 : Multi-locus phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Uperoleia toadlets (Anura: Myobatrachidae) from the western arid zone of Australia, with a description of a new species. Zootaxa, no 2902, p. 1-43.^[3]​

Referencias

Uperoleia saxatilis est une espèce d'amphibiens de la famille des Myobatrachidae^[1].

Répartition

Cette espèce est endémique de la région de Pilbara en Australie-Occidentale^[1].

Publication originale

• Catullo, Doughty, Roberts & Keogh, 2011 : Multi-locus phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Uperoleia toadlets (Anura: Myobatrachidae) from the western arid zone of Australia, with a description of a new species. Zootaxa, n^o 2902, p. 1-43.

Notes et références

Uperoleia saxatilis^[1] − gatunek płaza bezogonowego z rodziny żółwinkowatych, endemiczny dla regionu Pilbara w północnej części stanu Australia Zachodnia^[2].

Żaba ta ma długość 2 cm. Na skórze znajdują się brązowe plamy. Jest gatunkiem gniazdującym, zamieszukjącym skaliste wąwozy i doliny strumieni. Została uznana za nowy gatunek w wyniku badań nad DNA żab, prowadzonych przez Australian National University w Canberze, Western Australian Museum oraz University of Western Australia w Perth^[3].

Zwięrzę żywi się termitami i małymi owadami, które znajduje pod ziemią. Za najbliższą krewniaczkę gatunku Uperoleia saxatilis uważana jest Uperoleia talpa (ang. Mole toadlet)^[4] odkryta w 1981^[3].

Przypisy

Uperoleia saxatilis é uma espécie de anfíbio anuro da família Myobatrachidae.^[3][4] Está presente na Austrália.^[4] A UICN classificou-a como pouco preocupante.^[1]

Ver também

• Declínio das populações de anfíbios

Referências