Amolops albispinus explained

Amolops albispinus, the white-spined cascade frog, is a species of true frog found in the Guangdong Province in China.[1]

Description

The diagnostic feature of this species is the white, cone-shaped spines on the lips, loreal region, and temporal region (except the tympanum), which are more pronounced in the male than the female. More generally, it is a greenish-brown frog with a bumpy surface. It has darker blotches on the back and dark bands on the legs. Ventrally, it is creamy white, except for the hindlimbs that are meat-colored. The SVL of males is 36.7–42.4 mm (1.44–1.67 in) and 43.1–51.9 mm (1.70–2.04 in) in females.

Distribution and ecology

Amolops albispinus is found on Mt. Wutong and (rarely) Mt. Paiya (Mt. Paiya is found 30 km (19 miles) from Mt. Wutong). It has an elevation range of 60–500 m (197–1640 ft). It lives in torrents with rocky beds and nearby broad-leafed vegetation.

Etymology

Both the common and scientific name refer to the white spines on the lips, loreal region, and temporal region of this species.

Notes and References

  1. Sung . Yik-Hei . Hu . Ping . Wang . Jian . Liu . Hai-Jun . Wang . Ying-Yong . 2016-09-26 . A new species of Amolops (Anura: Ranidae) from southern China . Zootaxa . 4170 . 3 . 525–538 . 10.11646/zootaxa.4170.3.6 . 27701240 . 1175-5334.