Common names:
Hidden Squeaker Frog [1].
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Anura
Family - Athroleptidae
Species - Arthroleptis fichika
Distribution:
Arthroleptis fichika is found in two mountain forest reserves in the West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania (Figure 2) [1]. It may occur outside these reserves but is likely restricted to the mountain range [1]. This species can be found between 1300-1900m above sea level [1]. The area of occupancy is less than 320km2 [1].
Details:
The Hidden Squeaker Frog can be found in dense montane forest with high leaf litter coverage [1]. The breed outside of water [1]. They are active during the day and can be found moving through the leaf litter [2]. This species is cryptic, hence the 'hidden (fichika)' in the name [2]. These frogs are brown in colour, with grey and black markings along their sides and limbs [2].
The main threat to threat to this species is deforestation which, due to the mountainous location and protection from the reserves, is currently not extreme but is likely to get worse [1]. It is a cryptic species, so much more research is needed into its life history and population sizes [1].
Threats to the species:
Logging [1].
Agricultural expansion [1].
Similar species:
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2010). Hidden Squeaker Frog, Arthroleptis fichika. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/175359/7137532. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Daly, J. W. et al. (1996) ‘Madagascan posion frogs (Mantella) and their skin alkaloids’, American Museum Novitates, (3177), pp. 1–34.
Photo: IUCN Red List. (2010). Hidden Squeaker Frog, Arthroleptis fichika. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/175359/7137532. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
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