Cave squeaker

Cave squeaker
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Arthroleptidae
Genus:	Arthroleptis
Species:	A. troglodytes
Binomial name
Arthroleptis troglodytes Poynton, 1963

Arthroleptis troglodytes, the cave squeaker, is a species of frog in the Arthroleptidae family. It is found in Zimbabwe and possibly Mozambique. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and caves. Very little is known about this species of frog. It is taxonomically distinct from "true frogs" from the family Ranidae. The cave squeaker undergoes direct development, forgoing existence as a tadpole and hatching directly as miniature adults. This means that the embryo develops into a tadpole and subsequently into an adult frog before hatching. The eggs must still be laid in a damp location, however. This ability frees the cave squeaker from dependence on bodies of water for reproduction.

This is a small species, measuring just 25 mm in total length. The tips of the fingers and toes are slightly swollen. The colouration of the dorsal (or upper) surface is light brown with slightly dark speckling on the back of the head, with the remainder of the back being dark brown with irregular dark markings. The arms and legs are strongly banded.^[2]

The cave squeaker is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because its extent of occurrence is less than 100 km² and its area of occupancy is less than 10 km², all individuals are in a single location, and there might be a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals, due to climate change (or other unidentified threats).^[3]

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