Telmatobius niger

Telmatobius niger is a species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to the Andes of Ecuador, with records from both Amazonian and Pacific versants.[1][2][3] Last seen in 1994, it is feared that this species may be extinct.[1] Common name black water frog has been coined for it.[1][2]

Telmatobius niger

Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Telmatobiidae
Genus: Telmatobius
Species:
T. niger
Binomial name
Telmatobius niger
Barbour and Noble, 1920
Synonyms[2]

Telmatobius cinereus Noble, 1921

Description

Adult males measure 46–73 mm (1.8–2.9 in) and adult females 60–77 mm (2.4–3.0 in) in snout–vent length. The head is large. The tympanic annulus may be present, reduced, or absent; the right and left side of a single individual may show different state. The fingers have no webbing whereas the toes are webbed; the degree of webbing varies among individuals. The dorsum has either uniform color or subtle mottling or indistinct spots; the former is more typical. The background color ranges from reddish brown to brownish gray. Mottling spots can be tan, gray, or dark brown. Ventral coloration is similarly variable, but the patterning, when present, is stronger.[4]

Habitat and conservation

Telmatobius niger has been recorded in the vicinity of streams and rivers in cloud forests, moist scrubland, high-altitude páramo grassland, evergreen montane forests, and dry montane scrubland at elevations of 2,469–4,000 m (8,100–13,123 ft) above sea level. During daytime, adults usually occur beneath rocks and in weedy vegetation in and at the edge of streams. Breeding takes place in streams.[1]

This species was formerly reasonably common and is historically known from several locations. However, it has declined dramatically and might now be extinct. The last record is from Lagunas de Atillo (Chimborazo Province) in December 1994. Later surveys to historic sites have not resulted in any new records. The possible reasons for the decline include disease and parasites (e.g., chytridiomycosis), abnormal climatic conditions, and habitat destruction and degradation caused by agricultural development and human settlement. Traditionally, species in the genus Telmatobius have also been collected for food. Parts of the historic range fall within national parks, notably El Cajas National Park.[1]

References
  1. Andrés Merino-Viteri; Luis A. Coloma; Santiago Ron & John Lynch (2010). "Telmatobius niger". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T57352A11626154. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T57352A11626154.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Telmatobius niger Barbour and Noble, 1920". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  3. Coloma, L. A.; et al. (2010–2012). Ron, S. R.; Yanez-Muñoz, M. H.; Merino-Viteri, A.; Ortiz, D. A. (eds.). "Telmatobius niger". AmphibiaWebEcuador. Version 2018.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  4. Trueb, Linda (1979). "Leptodactylid frogs of the genus Telmatobius in Ecuador with the description of a new species". Copeia. 1979 (4): 714–733. doi:10.2307/1443882. JSTOR 1443882.
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