Oreophrynella weiassipuensis explained

Oreophrynella weiassipuensis is a species of toads in the family Bufonidae. It is only known from Wei-Assipu-tepui, a tepui on the border between Brazil and Guyana.[1] The holotype was collected in 2000 by a speleological expedition to Wei-Assipu-tepui. No other specimens are known.[2] It is possible that it is present in other localities, but most species of Oreophrynella are endemic to a single mountain.

Description

The holotype, an adult male, measures 21mm in snout–vent length. Its characteristics are well developed post-orbital crests, well-developed webbing in hands and feet, dorsal skin that is minutely granular with scattered large tubercles particularly on the upper eyelids and flanks, and reddish brown dorsal and ventral coloration. The tympanum is absent.

Habitat and conservation

The only known individual was found on moss in a wet forest at the bottom of a large chasm at 2280m (7,480feet) above sea level. There are no known threats to this species. The Brazilian part of the mountain is within the Monte Roraima National Park.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Oreophrynella weiassipuensis Señaris, DoNascimiento, and Villarreal, 2005 . Frost, Darrel R. . 2015 . Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 . American Museum of Natural History . 15 January 2016.
  2. Cole . Charles J. . Townsend . Carol R. . Reynolds . Robert P. . MacCulloch . Ross D. . Lathrop . Amy . Amphibians and reptiles of Guyana, South America: illustrated keys, annotated species accounts, and a biogeographic synopsis . Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington . 2013 . 125 . 4 . 317–578 . 10.2988/0006-324X-125.4.317. 86665287 .