Hylodes asper, the warty tree toad[1][2] or Brazilian torrent frog,[3][4] is a species of frogs in the family Hylodidae. It is endemic to the Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states in southeastern Brazil.[1][2] Living in a high-noise environment, the species uses "semaphoring" to supplement acoustic signalling.[3][4]
| Hylodes asper | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylodidae |
| Genus: | Hylodes |
| Species: | H. asper
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hylodes asper (Müller, 1924)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Elosia aspera Müller, 1924 | |
Behaviour
editHylodes asper are diurnal. Males use both visual and acoustic signalling to attract females and to maintain their territories.[3][4] "Foot-flagging" is the most distinctive visual display, usually performed while calling. In foot-flagging, the raises one hind limb and extends it up and back, exposing the silvery colour of the dorsal surfaces of toes and toe fringes.[4][3]
Male Hylodes asper have been observed to construct an underwater chamber, apparently for use as a nest for reproduction.[4]
Habitat and conservation
editThis frog has been observed as high as 800 meters above sea level.[1] The species' natural habitats are larger forest streams and small forest rivers in primary and old secondary forests. Active by day, it can be found on rocks and low vegetation along the streams.[1][3]
Hylodes asper is patchily distributed but where it occurs it can be common. Declines have been reported for some sites. The most important but still local and minor threats to this species urban development and land use change.[1]
References
edit
- ^ a b c d e f IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group.; Instituto Boitatá de Etnobiologia e Conservação da Fauna. (2023). "Hylodes asper". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023: e.T57086A172222814. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T57086A172222814.en. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Frost, Darrel R. (2024). "Hylodes asper (Müller, 1924)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.2. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Kellie Whittaker (2014). "Hylodes asper". AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Haddad, C. F. B.; Giaretta, A. A. (1999). "Visual and acoustic communication in the Brazilian torrent frog, Hylodes asper (Anura: Leptodactylidae)". Herpetologica. 55 (3): 324–333. JSTOR 3893226.