Description
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Hemiphractus proboscideus adult females range from 57-66 mm long while the males are 43-50 mm. This species can be identified by a distinctive large triangular head, with a fleshy, sharply pointed snout and protruding tubercles on the upper eyelids (Duellman 2003). Frogs of the genus Hemiphractus are casque-headed, with large, angular ornamented skull bones; the skin is co-ossified to the cranial elements (Sheil et al. 2001). This species also has odontoids, fang-like outgrowths of the lower jaw which are superficially similar to teeth but not equivalent to true teeth (Trueb 1973; Shaw 1989a; Shaw 1989b). This frog has a flattened or depressed body. Vertebral neural spines form skin-covered projections on the back. Forearm tubercles are present and arrayed in neat horizontal rows. Heel spurs (calcars) are present. Dorsally, this species is brown or tan in color. The dorsal and lateral surfaces of the body and upper surfaces of the limbs have irregular green, brown, or gray stripes and spots. Ventrally, the coloration is brown with lighter tan or orange dots. The tongue and interior of the mouth are a striking yellow color (Duellman 2003; Bartlett and Bartlett 2003). Embryos in the subfamily Hemiphractinae (marsupial frogs) are characterized by unique, membranous bell-shaped gills (Noble 1927; del Pino and Escobar 1981). These gills are derived from the branchial arches (Noble 1927; del Pino and Escobar 1981) and allow respiration during development in the egg (Mendelson et al., 2000). Hemiphractus proboscideus is a direct developer, and does not have a free-living larval stage (Trueb 1974; del Pino and Escobar 1981).
- Bartlett, R. D. and Bartlett, P. (2003). Reptiles and Amphibians of the Amazon. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
- Duellman, W. E. (1978). ''The biology of an equatorial herpetofauna in Amazonian Ecuador.'' Miscellaneous Publications of the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History, 65, 1-352.
- Duellman, W. E. (2003). ''Sumaco horned treefrog, Hemiphractus proboscideus.'' Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Amphibians. 2nd edition. M. Hutchins, W. E. Duellman, and N. Schlager, eds., Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.
- Fabrezi, M. and Emerson, S. B. (2003). ''Parallelism and convergence in anuran fangs.'' Journal of Zoology (London), 260, 41-51.
- Mendelson, J. R. III, Da Silva, H. R., and Maglia, A. M. (2000). ''Phylogenetic relationships among marsupial frog genera (Anura: Hylidae: Hemiphractinae) based on evidence from morphology and natural history.'' Zoological Journal of the Linnaean Society, 128, 125-148.
- Noble, G. K. (1927). ''The value of life history data in the study of the evolution of the Amphibia.'' Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 30, 31-128.
- Shaw, J. P. and Ellis, S. A. (1989). ''A scanning electron microscope study of the odontoids and teeth in Hemiphractus proboscideus (Anura:Hylidae).'' Journal of Zoology (London), 219, 533-544.
- Sheil, C. A., Mendelson, J. R., III, and Da Silva, H. R. (2001). ''Phylogenetic relationships of the species of neotropical horned frogs, genus Hemiphractus (Anura: Hylidae: Hemiphractinae), based on evidence from morphology.'' Herpetologica, 57, 203-214.
- Trueb, L. (1973). ''Bones, frogs and evolution.'' Evolutionary Biology of the Anurans: Contemporary Research on Major Problems. J. L. Vial, eds., University of Missouri Press, Columbia, Missouri, 65-132.
- Trueb, L. (1974). ''Systematic relationships of neotropical horned frogs, genus Hemiphractus (Anura, Hylidae).'' Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural History of the University of Kansas, 29, 1-60.
- author
- Kellie Whittaker
- author
- Peera Chantasirivisal
Distribution and Habitat
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This species is found in the Upper Amazon Basin as well as the lower slopes of the Andes, within southern Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It inhabits humid lowland to lower montane forest at elevations up to 1200 m above sea level (Duellman 2003; Stuart et al. 2008). It has been found in both primary and secondary forest (Duellman 1978).
- author
- Kellie Whittaker
- author
- Peera Chantasirivisal
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
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Hemiphractus proboscideus is nocturnal. It makes use of arboreal habitat, preferring vegetation 1 to 2.5 m above the forest floor. This species is active on both rainy and dry nights (Duellman 2003). Frogs in the subfamily Hemiphractinae, including those in the genus Hemiphractus, are known as marsupial frogs. Hemiphractus proboscideus is considered one of the basal members of this genus since the female incubates the eggs on her back but lacks a brooding pouch for doing so. During the mating season, the female carries up to 26 large eggs exposed on her back, adhered by gelatinous substances. This species has direct development where small froglets hatch directly out of the eggs, without going through a free-living larval stage (Trueb 1974; del Pino and Escobar 1981). The adult diet consists of other frogs as well as small lizards and large arthropods (Duellman 2003), constituting relatively large and resistant prey (Fabrezi and Emerson 2003). Hemiphractus proboscideus has large "fangs" on the bottom jaw, which have most likely evolved in the context of dietary specialization rather than sexual selection, since fang size is not sexually dimorphic in this species (Fabrezi and Emerson 2003). When defending itself, Hemiphractus proboscideus will open the mouth to show a bright yellow tongue (Duellman 2003).
- author
- Kellie Whittaker
- author
- Peera Chantasirivisal
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
provided by AmphibiaWeb articles
Hemiphractus proboscideus is not threatened. There may be population declines within Ecuador (Stuart et al. 2008).
- author
- Kellie Whittaker
- author
- Peera Chantasirivisal
Hemiphractus proboscideus
provided by wikipedia EN
Hemiphractus proboscideus, or the Sumaco horned treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hemiphractidae. It is found in the upper Amazon basin in extreme southwestern Colombia (Amazonas and Caquetá Departments), Ecuador, and northern Peru.[2][3][4]
Description
Males measure 43–50 mm (1.7–2.0 in) and females 52–67 mm (2.0–2.6 in) in snout–vent length. The head is triangular in dorsal view. Snout is elongated to a proboscis, and there is a large conical and several small tubercles on the eyes. At night, the body is yellowish with brown diagonal or transverse bars and with crossbars in the extremities; the belly is grayish-cream to white. By day, the back is brown with darker brown markings; the ventral surface is brown to reddish brown with orange or yellow spots on the belly, and yellow or white spots on the gular region. Tongue is orange.[4]
Reproduction and behaviour
Reproduction seems to occur throughout year as juveniles have been encountered during all months. Development is direct, and the female carries her eggs on her back.[4]
Hemiphractus proboscideus is a predatory species that eats other frogs. At night, they are typically found sitting on low vegetation.[1][4] When disturbed, the frog will open its mouth to show its bright-coloured tongue. They can deliver a strong bite.[4]
Habitat and conservation
Its natural habitats are moist tropical forest at elevations of 100–1,200 m (330–3,940 ft) asl. It is a rare species. No major threats have been identified, but it has declined in Ecuador for unknown reasons. Its range includes several protected areas.[1]
References
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^ a b c IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2018). "Hemiphractus proboscideus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T55370A85898013. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T55370A85898013.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
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^ Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Hemiphractus proboscideus (Jiménez de la Espada, 1870)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
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^ Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2015). "Hemiphractus proboscideus (Jiménez de la Espada, 1871)". Lista de los Anfibios de Colombia V.05.2015. www.batrachia.com. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
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^ a b c d e Ortiz, D. A. (2013–2015). "Hyloxalus mystax". Ron, S. R., Guayasamin, J. M., Yanez-Muñoz, M. H., Merino-Viteri, A., Ortiz, D. A. and Nicolalde, D. A. 2014. AmphibiaWebEcuador. Version 2014.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 9 August 2015.
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Hemiphractus proboscideus: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Hemiphractus proboscideus, or the Sumaco horned treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hemiphractidae. It is found in the upper Amazon basin in extreme southwestern Colombia (Amazonas and Caquetá Departments), Ecuador, and northern Peru.
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