Common names:
Shortsnout Water Frog [1].
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Anura
Family - Telmatobiidae
Species - Telmatobius brevirostris
Distribution:
Telmatobius brevirostris is found in two locations in Peru, along the Huallaga River and its tributaries (Figure 2) [1]. It occurs at 2000-3600m above sea level and over a range of 1097km2 [1].
Details:
The Shortsnout Water Frog occurs in the riparian zones of shrubland and cloud forest, it is not found in cultivated areas [1]. Breeding occurs in streams and tadpoles live in the benthic zone until mature [1, 2].
This species is not found in any protected areas but is protected under Peruvian national law [1]. Peru is considered a hotspot for these frogs [3] No specimens have been found since 1998 and the population is thought to be declining, if still extant [1]. Much more research is need to understand the current state of this species [1]. Public outreach is crucially needed aspect of conservation efforts for this species and other in this genus [3].
Threats to the species:
Hunting for medical and food purposes [1,3].
Pollution (agriculture) [1,3].
Urbanisation and development [1].
Agricultural expansion [1].
Disease (Chytrid fungus) [1,3].
Climate change [3].
Similar species:
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2018). Shortsnout Water Frog, Telmatobius brevirostris. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/57328/3057646. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Aguilar, C., Siu-Tin, K. and Lehr, E. (2010) ‘Description of the tadpole of Telmatobius brevirostris (Anura: Ceratophryidae)’, Zootaxa, (2626), pp. 61–64.
[3] Angulo, A. (2009) ‘Conservation Needs of Batrachophrynus and Telmatobius Frogs of the Andes of Peru’, Conservation and Society, 6(4), p. 328.
Photo: IUCN Red List. (2018). Shortsnout Water Frog, Telmatobius brevirostris. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/57328/3057646. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
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