Common names:
Reticulate Leaf Frog [1].
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Anura
Family - Phyllomedusidae
Species - Pithecopus ayeaye
Distribution:
Pithecopus ayeaye is found in three locations in Brazil; Parque Estadual das Furnas do Bom Jesus and two in Poços de Caldas (Figure 2) [1]. It is found 647-1540m above sea level [1].
Details:
The Reticulate Leaf Frog is found in the transition zone between cerrado (savannah) and secondary semi-deciduous forest [1]. Adults reside on shrubs near pools of water [1]. During breeding, eggs are deposited on leaves above permanently flowing water for the larvae can drop into and continue development when hatched [1]. This species has grasping hands (Figure 1) which it uses to climb, unlike most other frogs which use friction or adhesion [2].
This is a rare species, occurring a low densities, so little is known about the actual state of the population [1]. It does occur in a protected area but more research is needed on them to protect them properly [1]. Only 4% of suitable areas for this species are currently protected or are projected to be protected in the future [3]. Current protected area are ineffective at protecting this species [3].
Threats to the species:
Mining [1].
Pollution (mining) [1].
Fire [1].
Similar species:
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2016). Reticulate Leaf Frog, Pithecopus ayeaye. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/55839/107295713. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Lutz, B. (1966). Pithecopus ayeaye, a New Brazilian Hylid with Vertical Pupils and Grasping Feet. Copeia, 1966(2), 236-240.
[3] De Magalhães, R. F. et al. (2017) ‘Evolutionarily significant units of the critically endangered leaf frog Pithecopus ayeaye (Anura, Phyllomedusidae) are not effectively preserved by the Brazilian protected areas network’, Ecology and Evolution, (March), pp. 8812–8828.
Photo: IUCN Red List. (2016). Reticulate Leaf Frog, Pithecopus ayeaye. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/55839/107295713. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
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