Osteocephalus exophthalmus
| Osteocephalus exophthalmus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Osteocephalus |
| Species: | O. exophthalmus |
| Binomial name | |
| Osteocephalus exophthalmus Smith & Noonan, 2001 | |
Osteocephalus exophthalmus is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is native to Guyana and Venezuela in South America.[1]
This species was first described to science in 2001. The type specimen was collected in the Pacaraima Mountains in western Guyana.[2] There it inhabited sclerophyll forest habitat and was observed to be active at night.[2]
This is the smallest member of the genus Osteocephalus, measuring just over 3 centimeters in length. Its eyes are described as "large and bulgy" and "huge and protruding" and inspired the specific epithet exophthalmus. They are buff with a black cross shape across the iris; this eye coloration is a main feature that distinguishes the species from other frogs in the genus. Its body is brownish above and cream-colored below, and the back surface of the thighs are black. The vocal sac of the male is not well developed. The skin is mostly smooth with a few tubercles along the dorsal surface and a granular texture to the throat and belly.[2]
After the first specimen was recorded, the species was also discovered living in Guyana's Kaieteur National Park and across the border in Estado Bolívar, Venezuela.[1]
References
- 1 2 Barrio-Amorós, C. L. (2010). Amphibia, Hylidae, Osteocephalus exophthalmus Smith and Noonan, 2001: New country record and geographic distribution map, Venezuela. CheckList 6(3) 463-64.
- 1 2 3 Smith, E. N. and B. P. Noonan. (2001). A new species of Osteocephalus (Anura: Hylidae) from Guyana. Revista de Biología Tropical 49(1) 347-57.
External links
- Reynolds, R., et al. 2004. Osteocephalus exophthalmus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. Downloaded on 3 October 2014.