Plectrohyla matudai explained

Plectrohyla matudai (common name: Matuda's spikethumb frog) is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is found along the Pacific slopes from southeastern Oaxaca, Mexico, through Chiapas and south-central Guatemala (Las Nubes range); also in the Grijalva Depression in western Guatemala and on Cerro Azul in northwestern Honduras.

Etymology

Norman Hartweg named this species after Eizi Matuda, Japanese–Mexican botanist[1] and his host in Chiapas.

Description

The type series consists of three males (including the holotype) and two females. Males measured 35mm41mm and females 36mm45mm in snout–vent length. The head and dorsal surface of body are dark grayish brown, while the sides are lighter but posteriorly mottled with black. Males have bifurcate, rudimentary prepollex (the "spikethumb").

Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are pine-oak, cloud, and tropical rain forests at elevations of 900m-2000mm (3,000feet-7,000feetm) above sea level. It is typically found in low vegetation with abundant leaf litter along small mountain streams.

Plectrohyla matudai is locally common, and in Guatemala it is one of the most common stream-breeding frogs. It is threatened by habitat loss and disturbance. Chytridiomycosis is also a potential threat, although it seems relatively resistant to it, at least as an adult. Its distribution includes several protected areas.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bo Beolens. Michael Watkins. Michael Grayson. The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. 22 April 2013. Pelagic Publishing. 978-1-907807-44-2. 138.