Common names:
Gold-spotted Marsupial Frog [1].
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Anura
Family - Hemiphractidae
Species - Gastrotheca aureomaculata
Distribution:
Gastrotheca aureomaculata is found a three locations in south-central Colombia, in the Departments of Cauca and Huila (Figure 2) [1]. It occurs at 2000-2600m above sea level and over a range 2416km2 [1].
Details:
The Gold-spotted Marsupial Frog is an arboreal species found in the Andean forests, it resides on vegetation adjacent to streams [1]. It has also been recorded in more disturbed areas such as trees in farmland [1]. Adults seek shelter in dense vegetation in the day but at night can be found more openly about 1-2m up in vegetation [1]. Females hold 70-120 eggs in a brooding pouch on their back until the larvae hatch, they are then transported to shallow pools to develop further [1]. These frogs are an inly blue with green-gold spots [2].
This species has reportedly not been observed since the 1960s but the region has not been extensively explored in the decades since [1]. However, with the information available, the population is thought to be declining [1]. This species occurs in a national park and two indigenous reserves which help protect the species but more research i needed [1].
Threats to the species:
Logging [1].
Agricultural expansion (illegal and legal) [1].
Pollution [1].
Similar species:
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2017). Gold-spotted Marsupial Frog, Gastrotheca aureomaculata. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/55325/85896174. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Duellman, W. (1983). Gastrotheca aureomaculata: Systematic Resolution of a Case of Intrapopulational Polychromatism in a Hylid Frog. Herpetologica, 39(2), 105-110.
Photo: IUCN Red List. (2017). Gold-spotted Marsupial Frog, Gastrotheca aureomaculata. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/55325/85896174. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
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