Hong Kong cascade frog or Hong Kong torrent frog (Amolops hongkongensis) is a species of true frog from southern coastal China,[2] once thought to be endemic to Hong Kong. Their eggs are laid on rock faces in the splash zones of cascades.[3] In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170.
| Hong Kong cascade frog | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ranidae |
| Genus: | Amolops |
| Species: | A. hongkongensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Amolops hongkongensis (Pope and Romer, 1951)
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| Synonyms | |
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Staurois hongkongensis Pope and Romer, 1951 | |
Distribution and habitat
editOriginally described from Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong, populations are now also known from Guangdong.[1][2] In Hong Kong, the species is found in the New Territories and on Hong Kong Island.[3] It was found in rather small streams in Lung Fu Shan.[4]
Amolops hongkongensis inhabit forest-fringed, small hill streams, particularly those with cascades. Tadpoles have a ventral sucker helping them to maintain their position in the stream. Its habitat is threatened by silviculture, clear-cutting, and dam and other infrastructure construction.[1]
Description
editBoth male and female Amolops hongkongensis grow to a snout–vent length of 40 mm (1.6 in). Tadpoles are up to 25 mm (0.98 in) in length.[5] The diameter of its suction discs is 3-4 times the width of the fingers. It contains the tarsal fold and has white velvety nuptial pads on the first fingers.[3]
Gallery
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Hong Kong cascade frog (Amolops hongkongensis) -
Hong Kong cascade frog (Amolops hongkongensis) -
Hong Kong cascade frog (Amolops hongkongensis)
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References
edit- ^ a b c IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2021). "Amolops hongkongensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T58210A63852284. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T58210A63852284.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Amolops hongkongensis (Pope and Romer, 1951)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
- ^ a b c Lau, Michael (2005). "The South China Cascade Frog, Amolops ricketti, found in Hong Kong". Porcupine!. 32 (March 2005). Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, HKU: 8. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ Sung, Yik Hei (2006). "Night safaris in Lung Fu Shan Country Park, Hong Kong". Porcupine!. 34 (September 2006). Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, HKU: 16–17. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ Fei, L. (1999). Atlas of Amphibians of China (in Chinese). Zhengzhou: Henan Press of Science and Technology. p. 242. ISBN 7-5349-1835-9.
External links
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Media related to Amolops hongkongensis at Wikimedia Commons