Pleurodema somuncurense (the Somuncura frog[2] or El Rincon stream frog,[1][3] in Spanish rana de Somuncura) is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is endemic to the Somuncura Plateau in Patagonia, Argentina.[1][3]
| Pleurodema somuncurense | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Leptodactylidae |
| Genus: | Pleurodema |
| Species: | P. somuncurense
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pleurodema somuncurense (Cei, 1969)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Telmatobius somuncurensis Cei, 1969 | |
Description
editFemales reach 38 mm (1.5 in) in total length. They are slender with fairly small head and large protruding, gold-coloured eyes. Fingers and toes are long and slender, with the toes being about one-third webbed. Eyes have two symmetrical rounded structures on the centre of the upper and lower border of the iris. The skin is smooth. Colouration is bright yellowish-brown on the upper surfaces of the head, body and legs. There are irregular dark spots across the back, and wavy dark reticulated lines on the sides of the body and backs of the thighs. There is a characteristic yellowish stripe that runs centrally down the top of the head and half of the back. The belly is purplish-yellow with dark grey reticulated spots. The lower surface of the thighs is purplish-rose and bears faint grey reticulated spots.[2]
Reproduction
editPleurodema somuncurense reproduces in the mid-spring and summer months through amplexus events, with males clasping on females from the back.[4] P. somuncurense has specific features such as scramble competition and mating calls by males are typical of explosive breeders. Breeding microhabitats used by these species are under disturbance from livestock.
Habitat and conservation
editPleurodema somuncurense is a fully aquatic frog that inhabits geothermal springs and streams. The microendemic species is restricted to the thermal headwaters of Valcheta Stream in Northern Patagonia, Argentina.[5] It is threatened by predation by introduced rainbow trout and by habitat loss from canalization of spring water. Livestock farming also has negative impacts through overgrazing and chemical pollution.[1][2] The grassland fires used to promote regrowth of pasture for livestock impact the frog's availability of shelters, reproductive sites, and terrestrial prey.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Pleurodema somuncurense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T20372A85948443. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T20372A85948443.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Somuncura Frog (Somuncuria somuncurensis)". EDGE of Existence programme (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species). Zoological Society of London. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Pleurodema somuncurense (Cei, 1969)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ Velasco, M. A., Úbeda, C. A., Williams, J. D., & Kacoliris, F. P. (2017). "Reproductive Biology of the Critically Endangered Valcheta Frog, Pleurodema somuncurense (Anura: Leptodactylidae), from Patagonia, Argentina". South American Journal of Herpetology. 12 (3): 205–211. doi:10.2994/sajh-d-16-00049.1. hdl:11336/49891.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ (Velasco et al., 2022)
- ^ Velasco, Melina A.; Úbeda, Carmen A.; Williams, Jorge D.; Kacoliris, Federico P. (December 2017). "Reproductive Biology of the Critically Endangered Valcheta Frog, Pleurodema somuncurense (Anura: Leptodactylidae), from Patagonia, Argentina". South American Journal of Herpetology. 12 (3): 205–211. doi:10.2994/SAJH-D-16-00049.1. hdl:11336/49891. ISSN 1808-9798. S2CID 90790317.