Physalaemus deimaticus

Physalaemus deimaticus is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is endemic to Brazil and only known from its type locality in Jaboticatubas, Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais.[3] The specific name deimaticus is derived from Greek deimos fror "fear" and refers to the defensive display of this frog, probably aimed at scaring predators.[2] Common names Jaboticatubas dwarf frog and frightening foam froglet have been coined for it.[3]

Physalaemus deimaticus is only known from Serra Do Cipó, Minas Gerais

Physalaemus deimaticus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Leptodactylidae
Genus: Physalaemus
Species:
P. deimaticus
Binomial name
Physalaemus deimaticus
Sazima and Caramaschi, 1988[2]

Description

The type series consists of three specimens. The holotype is an adult female measuring 24 mm (0.9 in) in snout–vent length. The other female type is of similar size, whereas the male type measures 21 mm (0.8 in) in snout–vent length. The overall appearance is robust. The snout is short. No tympanum is visible. The fingers and the toes are long and have neither webbing nor expanded tips. The dorsum has granulose skin and is light gray to light reddish brown in color. The interorbital stripe, middorsal stripe that splits in two posteriorly, and lateral bands are dark brown. The inguinal glands are black with white margins.[2]

Behavior

When threatened, this species performs a "deimatic" display in which it swells up its body, lowers its head, and raises its rump, such that the two large inguinal glands resembling eye spots are exposed. Similar display is known from Physalaemus nattereri.[2]

Habitat and conservation

Physalaemus deimaticus is terrestrial frog known from rocky areas at about 800 m (2,600 ft) above sea level. It probably breeds in water. It is not assumed to adapt well to anthropogenic disturbance, and could be threatened by fire, expanding human settlements, and disturbance resulting from tourism. It might occur with the Serra do Cipó National Park.[1]

References
  1. Caramaschi, U.; Nascimento, L.B. & Silvano, D. (2004). "Physalaemus deimaticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T57251A11609332. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T57251A11609332.en. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  2. Sazima, I. & Caramaschi, U. (1986). "Descricao de Physalaemus deimaticus, sp. n., e observacoaes sobre comportamento deimatico em P. nattereri (Steindn.) — Anura, Leptodactylidae" [Description of Physalaemus deimaticus, sp. n., and observations on the deimatic behaviour in P. nattereri (Steindn.) — Anura, Leptodactylidae]. Revista de Biologia. 13: 91–101.
  3. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Physalaemus deimaticus Sazima and Caramaschi, 1988". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
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