Mannophryne trinitatis

The yellow-throated frog,[1] Trinidadian stream frog,[2] Trinidad stream frog,[3] or Trinidad poison frog[4] (Mannophryne trinitatis) is a species of frog in the family Aromobatidae that is endemic to the island of Trinidad in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.[4] Mannophryne venezuelensis from the Paria Peninsula in Venezuela were formerly included in this species.[1]

Mannophryne trinitatis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Aromobatidae
Genus: Mannophryne
Species:
M. trinitatis
Binomial name
Mannophryne trinitatis
(Garman, 1888)
Synonyms

Phyllobates trinitatis Garman, 1888 "1887"
Colostethus trinitatus (Garman, 1888)

Description

Male Mannophryne trinitatis grow to a snout–vent length of about 20 mm (0.79 in) and females to 22 mm (0.87 in).[3] Tadpoles are initially 14–16 mm (0.55–0.63 in) in length and up to about 37 mm (1.5 in) when metamorphosing.[2] Adult males have a grey throat whereas females have a bright yellow throat (hence the name "yellow-throated frog"). The colouration is cryptic; the dorsal surface is brown while the flanks are dark or mottled.[3]

Diet

Adults feed on small insects (e.g., Drosophila) and other arthropods. Tadpoles are herbivorous, feeding on algae and leaf litter.[3]

Reproduction

Female Mannophryne trinitatis maintain small (up to 1 m²) territories that they defend against both males and other females. Males court females from a distance using their vocalizations and colour (changing from pale brown to black when calling). If the female is receptive, she leaves the territory and approaches the calling male. The pair then moves to oviposition sites (e.g., a rock crevice or leaves). Clutch size is about 2–12 eggs measuring 3.5 mm (0.14 in) in diameter.[3]

The males tend the eggs until they hatch after about 21 days, and then carries the tadpoles to pools with slow flow rates, sometimes wet leaf litter when suitable pools are not available. Males generally avoid pools with the predators Anablepsoides hartii or Macrobrachium carcinus and may carry the tadpoles for long distance in order to find a suitable pool. It takes about 56 days for the tadpoles to reach metamorphosis.[3] While males may carry the tadpoles for up to four days, this seems not incur significant costs in terms of reduced feeding, fat loss, or locomotion (jump length and number).[2]

Distribution, habitat, and conservation

The frog is found within the Northern and the Central Ranges. They are found along densely shaded, narrow, shallow, slow-flowing, clear water streams in undisturbed moist montane forest. The frog is listed on the IUCN Red List as "vulnerable", being locally threatened by pollution, habitat loss and habitat degradation. Although it has a small geographic range, the frog is locally abundant,[1] and is not present on the CITES Endangered Species List.

References
  1. Ariadne Angulo (2010). "Mannophryne trinitatis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T55251A11280883. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T55251A11280883.en.
  2. Downie, J. R.; Robinson, E.; Linklater‐McLennan, R. J.; Somerville, E.; Kamenos, N. (2005). "Are there costs to extended larval transport in the Trinidadian stream frog, Mannophryne trinitatis (Dendrobatidae)?". Journal of Natural History. 39: 2023–2034. doi:10.1080/00222930400026985.
  3. Anya M. Spencer (2012). "Mannophryne trinitatis (Trinidad Stream Frog)" (PDF). The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago. University of the West Indies. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  4. Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Mannophryne trinitatis (Garman, 1888)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
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