Zhangixalus yinggelingensis explained

Zhangixalus yinggelingensis (Yinggeling treefrog) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae endemic to Yinggeling National Nature Reserve, Hainan, China.[1] Its specific name refers to the type locality, Yinggeling, a mountain range in central Hainan.

Description

Zhangixalus yinggelingensis is a medium-sized treefrog with a green body with some white spots. Its snout-vent length is about 43mm. The inner surfaces of the legs are yellow or reddish in color. The iris of the eye is silver in color with some gold color on the top. The frog's call resembles "Auuu."[2]

Distribution

Zhangixalus yinggelingensis is currently only known from the Yinggeling mountain range in central Hainan at altitudes between 1300mand1550mm (4,300feetand5,090feetm). It appears to be a montane species restricted to primary rain forest. It breeds in rainwater pools, which are rare in its mountainous habitat.

Conservation

The species occurs within the Yinggeling National Nature Reserve. The high-altitude montane habitat is relatively undisturbed, but the species is rare and the total area of the habitat is small. IUCN considers Zhangixalus yinggelingensis as "vulnerable". Survey of the reserve has put the estimated total population size at around 3000 frogs.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rhacophorus yinggelingensis Chou, Lau, and Chan, 2007 . Frost, Darrel R. . 2018 . Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 . American Museum of Natural History . 9 October 2018.
  2. Chou W-H. Lau MW-N. Chan BPL . 2007 . A new treefrog of the genus Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Hainan Island, China. . Raffles Bull Zool . 55. 157–165. May 6, 2023. 1. Full text.
  3. Liao. Chang-Le. Wang He-Sheng . Huang Juan . Wang Hui-Ying . amp . 2013. Field survey on population size and distribution of Rhacophorus yinggelingensis in Yinggeling Nature Reserve. Chinese Journal of Zoology . 48 . 3 . 377–381 . zh, en.