Stefania riae explained

Stefania riae (common name: Sarisarinama carrying frog, Spanish; Castilian: rana stefania del Sarisarinama) is a species of frog in the family Hemiphractidae. This species is only known from Cerro Sarisariñama, a tepui in the Bolívar State, Venezuela.

Etymology

The specific name riae honors Ria Hoogmoed-Verschoor, spouse of the second author.

Description

Adult males measure 40mm58mm and females 52mm60mm in snout–vent length. The tympanum is visible and relatively large. The canthus rostralis is distinct. All fingers and toes have well-developed discs. The toes have basal webbing. There are four color forms without consistent relationship with a specimen's sex. Possible patterns are 1) mostly pale brown, possibly with a few indistinct darker spots, 2) pattern that is other wise variable but always with paler dorsal background than dorsolateral stripes, 3) chevrons or spots on the dorsum, and 4) brown dorsum without dorsolateral stripes and chevrons, but with several dark brown spots and golden spots scattered around the head, body, and limbs. The two first forms are the most common ones.

Habitat and conservation

The type series was collected from the plateau on top of Cerro Sarisarifiama at an elevation of 1400m (4,600feet) above sea level. In 2002, Stefania riae was abundant in humid environments inside the Sima Humboldt (=Sima Mayor) sinkhole (but none were found from near its edge); many specimens were found on mossy walls soaked by water, bushes and plants, and on sandstone walls. None was found One specimen was found on a mossy wall near a small, slow creek on the southern slope of Sarisariñama at 1328m (4,357feet).

There are no known threats to this species. Cerro Sarisariñama is within the Jaua-Sarisariñama National Park.