Nymphargus bejaranoi is a species of frog in the family Centrolenidae. It is endemic to the eastern slopes of the Bolivian Andes in the Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, La Paz, and Santa Cruz departments.[3] The specific name bejaranoi honors Gastón Bejarano,[2] a Bolivian zoologist and Director of Forestry and National Parks, Ministry of Agriculture.[4] Common name Bolivian Cochran frog has been coined for this species.[1][3]
| Nymphargus bejaranoi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Centrolenidae |
| Genus: | Nymphargus |
| Species: | N. bejaranoi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphargus bejaranoi (Cannatella, 1980)
| |
| Synonyms[3] | |
|
Centrolenella bejaranoi Cannatella, 1980[2] | |
Description
editAdult males measure 23.6–24.4 mm (0.9–1.0 in)[2][5] and adult females about 26.5 mm (1.04 in) in snout–vent length, the latter being based on the holotype of Centrolenella flavidigitata,[6] later identified as the first female of Nymphargus bejaranoi.[7] The snout is short[2] and truncate or rounded in dorsal view and truncate or sloping in lateral profile.[7] The eyes are moderately large. The tympanum is distinct but its upper part is concealed by the supra-tympanic fold. The fingers have broad discs and some webbing between the last two fingers. The toes are about one-half webbed and have discs that are slightly smaller than those on the fingers.[2] Males in reproductive state[5][7][8] have the dorsum covered by spicules.[2] The dorsum is dark green;[2] the spicules appear off-white in living specimens.[8]
Habitat and conservation
editNymphargus bejaranoi live in wet montane forest, including cloud forest and Yungas forest, at elevations of 1,600–2,400 m (5,200–7,900 ft) above sea level. It is an arboreal species found in vegetation close to streams and small waterfalls. It was formerly a common species, has massively decline as its habitat has become threatened by agricultural development and pollution as well as the development of roads. Its range includes several national parks.[1]
Being ranked as "endangered" on the IUCN Red List, it is now incredibly rare. After a sighting in 2002, it was not seen for over 18 years. It was rediscovered in 2020 in Carrasco National Park during a mission to rescue reptiles and amphibians whose habitat would be threatened by a planned hydroelectric project. Three frogs were taken to an amphibian conservation center for the purpose of captive breeding.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Nymphargus bejaranoi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T54949A154331097. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T54949A154331097.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cannatella, David C. (1980). "Two new species of Centrolenella from Bolivia (Anura: Centrolenidae)". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 93: 714–724.
- ^ a b c Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Nymphargus bejaranoi (Cannatella, 1980)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
- ^ a b Guayasamin, Juan M.; Bustamante, Martin R.; Almeida-Reinoso, Diego & Funk, W. Chris (2006). "Glass frogs (Centrolenidae) of Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador, with the description of a new species and comments on centrolenid systematics". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 147 (4): 489–513. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2006.00223.x.
- ^ Reynolds, Robert P. & Foster, Mercedes S. (1992). "Four new species of frogs and one new species of snake from the Chapare region of Bolivia, with notes on other species". Herpetological Monographs. 6: 83–104. doi:10.2307/1466963. JSTOR 1466963.
- ^ a b c Harvey, Michael B. (1996). "A new species of glass frog (Anura: Centrolenidae: Cochranella) from Bolivia, and the taxonomic status of Cochranella flavidigitata". Herpetologica. 52 (3): 427–435. JSTOR 3892662.
- ^ a b Harvey, Michael B. & Noonan, Brice P. (2005). "Bolivian glass frogs (Anura: Centrolenidae) with a description of a new species from Amazonia". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 118 (2): 428–441. doi:10.2988/0006-324X(2005)118[428:BGFACW]2.0.CO;2. S2CID 58940530.
- ^ "Translucent frogs seen for first time in 18 years". BBC News. 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2020-02-01.