Hymenochirus curtipes, also known as western dwarf clawed frog, is a species of frog in the family Pipidae. It is found in western Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjacent Republic of the Congo.[1][3] It is likely to occur in the southernmost Central African Republic.[1]
| Hymenochirus curtipes | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Pipidae |
| Genus: | Hymenochirus |
| Species: | H. curtipes
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| Binomial name | |
| Hymenochirus curtipes | |
Description
editThe type series consists of three specimens measuring 24–28 mm (0.9–1.1 in) in snout–vent length; the smallest one is the holotype, an adult male.[2] Females can reach at least 33 mm (1.3 in) in snout–vent length.[4] The head is narrow and flat, and the eyes point almost directly upward. No tympanum is visible. The legs are short compared to other Hymenochirus. The fingers are half-webbed, whereas the toes are completely webbed, with the webbing scarcely indented. Skin is coarsely and uniformly tubercular. The body is muddy brown above with indistinct dark brown spotting that becomes distinct below.[2]
Habitat and conservation
editHymenochirus curtipes is presumably ecologically similar to Hymenochirus boettgeri, an aquatic frog that occurs in still, shaded water in lowland rainforest, and in pools by slow-flowing rivers. Two individuals in amplexus have been reported in a flooded forest. No significant threats to this species are known; although it is collected for pet trade, this is not considered a threat.[1]
As pets
editHymenochirus curtipes are kept as pets.[1][5] Former London mayor Ken Livingstone was the first person in the world to breed H. curtipes in captivity.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Hymenochirus curtipes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T58156A18396876. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T58156A18396876.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Noble, Gladwyn Kingsley (1924). "Contributions to the herpetology of the Belgian Congo based on the collection of the American Museum Congo Expedition, 1909–1915. Part 3, Amphibia". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 49: 147–347.
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Hymenochirus curtipes Noble, 1924". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
- ^ Cannatella, David C. & Trueb, Linda (1988). "Evolution of pipoid frogs: morphology and phylogenetic relationships of Pseudhymenochirus". Journal of Herpetology. 22 (4): 439–456. doi:10.2307/1564339. JSTOR 1564339.
- ^ Murphy, B: G.; Hillman, C.; Groff, J. M. (2015). "Chytridiomycosis in dwarf African frogs Hymenochirus curtipes". Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 114 (1): 69–75. doi:10.3354/dao02851. PMID 25958807.
- ^ Would I Lie to You? Series 3 Episode 2. BBC Television. First broadcast 17 August 2009.