Pristimantis pycnodermis

Pristimantis pycnodermis is a species of frog in the family Craugastoridae. It is endemic to the Ecuadorean Andes and occurs in the Cordillera de Matanga in the Azuay and Morona-Santiago Provinces.[2][4] The specific name pycnodermis is Greek and means "thick skin", a characteristic of this species.[3] Common name thickskin robber frog has been coined for it.[2]

Pristimantis pycnodermis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Craugastoridae
Genus: Pristimantis
Species:
P. pycnodermis
Binomial name
Pristimantis pycnodermis
(Lynch, 1979)
Synonyms[2]

Eleutherodactylus pycnodermis Lynch, 1979[3]

Description

Adult males measure 18–32 mm (0.7–1.3 in) and adult females 33–44 mm (1.3–1.7 in) in snout–vent length. The snout is subacuminate in dorsal view and truncate in lateral profile. The tympanum is prominent. Both the fingers and the toes have lateral fringes and broadened tips with discs. Skin of the dorsum is thick and glandular. Preserved specimens are brown with large black blotches on the flanks and the limbs. The venter is dull cream or yellowish cream and is frequently spotted with brown. Males have a sub-gular vocal sac.[3]

Habitat and conservation

Pristimantis pycnodermis primarily inhabits paramos but it can also occur in meadows and pastures in upper cloud forests.[1] Specimens have been found under rocks and logs.[3] The altitudinal range is 2,652–3,436 m (8,701–11,273 ft) above sea level. Development is probably direct, without free-living tadpole stage.[1]

Pristimantis pycnodermis is a common species but its range is fragmented. It is threatened by habitat loss and deterioration caused by agriculture (crops, livestock) and human settlements. It occurs in the Sangay National Park.[1]

References
  1. Coloma, L.A.; Ron, S.; Lynch, J. & Almandáriz, A. (2004). "Pristimantis pycnodermis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T56890A11539116. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T56890A11539116.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Pristimantis pycnodermis (Lynch, 1979)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  3. Lynch, John D. (1979). "Leptodactylid frogs of the genus Eleutherodactylus from the Andes of southern Ecuador". Miscellaneous Publication, Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas. 66: 1–62.
  4. Páez-Rosales, N.; et al. (2016). Ron, S. R.; Yanez-Muñoz, M. H.; Merino-Viteri, A.; Ortiz, D. A. (eds.). "Pristimantis pycnodermis". AmphibiaWebEcuador. Version 2018.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 22 April 2018.
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