Common names:
Pacific Horned Frog [1].
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Anura
Family - Ceratophryidae
Species - Ceratophrys stolzmanni
Distribution:
Ceratophrys stolzmanni is found along the Pacific coast of south-western Ecuador and north-western Peru (Figure 2) [1]. It occurs at 0-130m above sea level [1].
Details:
The Pacific Horned Frog occurs in coastal dry scrub environments; areas with few trees and green for six months out of the year [1, 2]. They have also found in more desert-esque environments with scattered desert vegetation [1]. Due to the dry environments in which it is found, this species is only active during the wet season, from January to May, and nocturnally so [1]. During the day individuals spend their time buried in the ground, and in the dry season, while buried, the frogs become encased in dead skin layers to prevent moisture loss [1]. Breeding occurs for only a few hours each year, in shallow forest pools [1]. Egg clutches can contain up to 2100 eggs - time from fertilisation to hatching is ~40 days [2]. the young undergo complete metamorphosis within 32 days [2]. They feed on invertebrates, other frogs, and snakes [3].
This species occurs in a number of protected areas and also belongs to several captive management programs [1]. This species is protected under Peruvian and Ecuadorian National law [1]. The population of this frog is estimated to be ~10,000 individuals and is severely fragmented - the population is declining [1]. Much of the data on this species comes from Ecuador, so more research is needed to understand its status across its whole range [1].
Threats to the species:
Agriculture and aquaculture expansion [1].
Logging (legal and illegal) [1].
Urbanisation and development [1].
Pollution (agriculture) [1].
Fire [1].
Collision (roadkill) [1].
Climate change (drought) [1].
Hunting for international trade [1].
Similar species:
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2018). Pacific Horned Frog, Ceratophrys stolzmanni. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/56341/89204905. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Ortiz, D. A., Almeida-Reinoso, D. and Coloma, L. A. (2013) ‘Notes on husbandry, reproduction and development in the Pacific horned frog Ceratophrys stolzmanni (Anura: Ceratophryidae), with comments on its amplexus’, International Zoo Yearbook, 47(1), pp. 151–162.
[3] Székely, D. et al. (2019) ‘What does a Pacman eat? Macrophagy and necrophagy in a generalist predator ( Ceratophrys stolzmanni )’, PeerJ, 7.
Photo: Wikiri. (2014). Ceratophrys stolzmanni. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.wikiri.com.ec/productos/ecuafrog/ceratophrys_stolzmanni.html [Accessed 5 May 2019].
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