Common names:
Ziama Torrent-frog [1].
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Anura
Family - Odontobatrachidae
Species - Odontobatrachus ziama
Distribution:
This species is found only in the isolated Simandou Mountains in the Southeast of Guinea, West Africa (Figure 2) [1]. It is found at 472-1310m above sea level and over an area of 9782km2 [1].
Details:
Odontobatrachus ziama is only found in montane forest areas with water bodies, in which it lives [1]. Breeding occurs in fast-flowing streams and the eggs are lain on land [1]. Once hatched, the tadpoles attach themselves to roots and rocks in rapids and under waterfalls [1]. This species was new to science in 2015 [2].
This species is currently not protected and doesn't occur in any protected areas, protections for this and other endemics in the region is essential [1].
Threats to the species:
Urbanisation and development [1].
Logging [1].
Mining [1].
Subsistence agriculture [1].
Similar species:
https://zse.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=5127
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2019). Ziama Torrent-frog, Odontobatrachus ziama. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/89114097/97647200. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Liedtke, H. C. et al. (2017) ‘Terrestrial reproduction as an adaptation to steep terrain in African toads’, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 284(1851). doi: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2598.
Photo: Reptiles Magazine. (2015). One Species Of Frog Has Morphed Into A Species Complex With 5 Frogs. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Frogs-Amphibians/Information-News/One-Species-of-Frog-has-Morphed-into-a-Species-Complex-with-5-Frogs-Trending/ [Accessed 5 May 2019].
Comments