Brachytarsophrys feae explained

Brachytarsophrys feae (common names: Fea's horned frog, Fea's short-legged toad, Kakhien Hills spadefoot toad, and others) is a species of amphibian in the family Megophryidae. It is found in southern China (Guangxi and Yunnan) and northern Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam; it is likely to occur in Laos.[1] The specific name feae honors Leonardo Fea, an Italian explorer, zoologist, and naturalist.

Description

Brachytarsophrys feae are large frogs: males grow to about 96mm and females to about 101mm in snout-vent length. Tadpoles are small in comparison, about 39mm in length.[2]

Behaviour

Male Brachytarsophrys feae appear to be territorial. Their advertisement call is loud and can be likened to barking. Limited data suggest that chorusing occurs only in rainy nights; otherwise males remain hidden in their stream-side burrows.[3]

Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are evergreen broadleaf forest and streams; it breeds in streams. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by dams and power plants, and it is also collected for consumption.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brachytarsophrys feae (Boulenger, 1887) . Frost, Darrel R. . 2015 . Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 . American Museum of Natural History . 10 October 2015.
  2. Book: Fei, L. . Atlas of Amphibians of China . 1999 . Henan Press of Science and Technology . Zhengzhou . Chinese . 7-5349-1835-9 . 104.
  3. Wogan. Guinevere O. U.. Kyi Soe Lwin . Htun Win . Thin Thin . Awan Khwi Shein . Hla Tun . 2004. The advertisement call of Brachytarsophrys feae (Boulenger 1887) (Anura: Megophryidae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 55. 249–252.