Brachycephalus mariaeterezae

Brachycephalus mariaeterezae is a species of frog in the family Brachycephalidae. It is very tiny and was one of seven new species described by LF Ribeiro and a team of scientists from the Mater Natura - Instituto de Estudos Ambientais in Brazil. Like all species in its genus, it is found in a very small strip of Atlantic Forest in the southeastern coast of the country, and has a vibrant colour pattern.[1] The speciation seen in this genus is thought to be a byproduct of the rift between the valley versus mountain terrain and its particular microclimates, to which they are adapted. It might be in population decline due to habitat loss.[2] Its name honours Maria Tereza Jorge Pádua, a Brazilian environmentalist.

Brachycephalus mariaeterezae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Brachycephalidae
Genus: Brachycephalus
Species:
B. mariaeterezae
Binomial name
Brachycephalus mariaeterezae
Ribeiro et al., 2015

Description

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It is distinguished from its cogenerate species by having a robust body, bufoniform, its adult length measuring between 10.4 to 13.4 millimetres (0.41 to 0.53 in), and a rough dorsum. It has a yellowish background colour, and possesses small brown spots, particularly on the sides of the body and belly and a prominent irregular light-blue stripe on the dorsum of the head and its body (all along the back); it also has small dark spots distributed irregularly throughout its arms and legs; the skin on its dorsum shows no dermal co-ossification.[1]

Distribution

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The species is known only from its type locality, specifically at the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Caetezal, located in the top of the Serra Queimada, State of Santa Catarina.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ribeiro, Luiz F.; Bornschein, Marcos R.; Belmonte-Lopes, Ricardo; Firkowski, Carina R.; Morato, Sergio A.A.; Pie, Marcio R. (2015). "Seven new microendemic species ofBrachycephalus(Anura: Brachycephalidae) from southern Brazil". PeerJ. 3: e1011. doi:10.7717/peerj.1011. ISSN 2167-8359. PMC 4458131. PMID 26056613.
  2. ^ Webb, Jonathan (4 June 2015). "Seven tiny frog species found on seven mountains". BBC News. Retrieved 4 June 2015.

Further reading

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