Scinax chiquitanus, the Rio Negro snouted treefrog, is a hylid frog in the Scinax rubra group.Though not uncommon, it was first described from northeastern Bolivia in 1990 (De la Riva 1990, as cited in Cortez et al. 2004; De la Riva et al. 2000) and subsequently from southern Peru (Duellman and Wiens 1993).The Rio Negro snouted treefrog inhabits seasonal, primary tropical or subtropical Amazonian rainforests, humid transition lowland forests, and pre-Cambrian shield humid forests up to 450 m (1500 feet) in altitude.It is found in several protected areas in both countries.It is not known from any environmentally degraded areas.
Scinax chiquitanus is a pale brown and smooth-skinned, sometimes with a longitudinal stripe and or light speckling on its back, and pale gold irises.It is arboreal and has finger and toe pads adapted for climbing.Males are slightly smaller (33.3 mm, 1.3 inches snout vent length) than females (36.2 mm, 1.4 inches SVL).It reproduces in the rainy season (Dec-March), in temporary ponds in or on the edges of forests.Its call, described as a short rattling buzz, is a series of 0.1 second long notes repeated at a rate of 20-40 notes/minute, which males make from aquatic vegetation or vegetation surrounding ponds. Tadpoles are so far unknown (Duellman and Wiens 1993; Cortez et al. 2004; De la Riva et al. 2000).
Males from Peru display more markings on their back than those from Bolivia, and from this observation De la Riva et al. (2000) suggest that the Peruvian frogs be taxonomically reassessed, implying these may in fact be separate species.
Scinax chiquitanus is a species of frog in the family Hylidae.[1][2] It is known from Amazonian Bolivia and from Department of Madre de Dios in Peru.[2] The Peruvian populations might represent a distinct species.[1][2]
Adult males measure 28–33 mm (1.1–1.3 in) and adult females 32–36 mm (1.3–1.4 in) in snout–vent length. The snout is rounded. The tympanum is distinct. Skin is smooth to very finely shagreened. Both sexes are dark brown by day, whereas at night, males are yellowish gold to orange and females are beige or pale brown. The coloration is mostly uniform but the flanks may have small dark spots and the posterior surfaces of the thighs may have a dark brown longitudinal stripe or lightly pigmented spots. The iris is pale gold.[3]
The male advertisement call is a short rattling "buzz" consisting of a series of notes lasting 0.08–0.10 seconds each and repeated at a rate of 20–45 notes per minute. The dominant frequency is about 2000 Hz.[3]
Scinax chiquitanus occurs in Amazonian rainforest and wet forest in transition to lowlands at elevations below 450 m (1,480 ft). It is nocturnal and arboreal. Males call on aquatic vegetation or on emerging bushes from temporary ponds, its breeding habitat.[1]
Scinax chiquitanus is a common species. It can locally suffer from habitat loss but this does not constitute a major threat. It is present in a number of protected areas.[1]
Scinax chiquitanus is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is known from Amazonian Bolivia and from Department of Madre de Dios in Peru. The Peruvian populations might represent a distinct species.
