Ptychadena nana

Ptychadena nana is a species of frog in the family Ptychadenidae. It is endemic to Ethiopia.[3] It is only known with certainty from its type locality, Arussi Mountains, in the Ethiopian Highlands;[3] these mountains are also referred to as the Arsi Mountains.[1] There is uncertainty regarding reports from elsewhere (in particular, Bale Mountains), which perhaps refer to other, possibly undescribed species.[1][3] Freilich and colleagues found specimens from the Bale Mountains to be larger than "normal" Ptychadena nana, but that molecular data clustered them with other P. nana.[4] Common names Somali grassland frog and smallest grass frog have been coined for it.[1][3]

Ptychadena nana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Ptychadenidae
Genus: Ptychadena
Species:
P. nana
Binomial name
Ptychadena nana
Perret, 1980[2]
Synonyms[3]

Rana (Ptychadena) nana (Perret, 1980)

Description

Adult males measure 24–27 mm (0.9–1.1 in) and adult females 25–30 mm (1.0–1.2 in) in snout–vent length,[5] or respectively 30–33 mm (1.2–1.3 in) and 32–35 mm (1.3–1.4 in), according to Freilich and colleagues.[4] The tympanum is distinct.[2] The hindlimbs are relatively short.[5][4] Skin folds on the back incomplete, often more or less extensively and irregularly fragmented. The toes are slightly webbed. Adult males have external vocal sacs.[5]

Habitat and conservation

Ptychadena nana is a mountain grassland species[1][4] that occurs at elevations of 2,000–3,000 m (6,600–9,800 ft)[1] or 2,584–3,023 m (8,478–9,918 ft) above sea level,[4] depending on the source. It has been reported as locally abundant and being found near streams, in cattle grazing fields and in mosaics of cropland and other natural vegetation, and in roadside pools in rural towns and villages.[1]

In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Ptychadena nana is listed as "endangered" because of its small known range and threats to its habitat. It is not known to occur in any protected areas.[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Ptychadena nana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T58512A16953411. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T58512A16953411.en.
  2. Perret, Jean-Luc (2016). "Sur quelques Ptychadena (Amphibia, Ranidae) d'Ethiopie". Monitore Zoologico Italiano. Nuova Serie, Supplemento (in French). 13 (1): 151–168. doi:10.1080/00269786.1980.11758552.
  3. Frost, Darrel R. (2019). "Ptychadena nana Perret, 1980". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  4. Freilich, Xenia; Tollis, Marc & Boissinot, Stéphane (February 2014). "Hiding in the highlands: Evolution of a frog species complex of the genus Ptychadena in the Ethiopian highlands". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 71: 157–169. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.11.015. PMID 24315867.
  5. Largen, Malcolm J. (December 2001). "Catalogue of the amphibians of Ethiopia, including a key for their identification". Tropical Zoology. 14 (2): 307–402. doi:10.1080/03946975.2001.10531159. S2CID 85360078.
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