Rana zhijinensis, the Zhijin brown frog, is a species of true frog native to the Guizhou Province, China.[1][2]

Rana zhijinensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Rana
Species:
R. zhijinensis
Binomial name
Rana zhijinensis
Luo, Xiao & Zhou, 2022

Description

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The Zhijin brown frog is a medium-sized light brown frog. It shares some characteristics with its sister taxon, the Chaochiao frog (Rana chaochiaoensis). The SVL ranges from around 46–54 mm (1.8–2.1 in) in males and 55–59 mm (2.2–2.3 in) in females. It has a round, visible tympanum that is similar in color to the rest of the dorsal side of the frog. The dorsal side of the legs is striped, with the hindlimbs being more visibly striped/banded. Its lateral sides are speckled. It has a slender body with conspicuous dorsolateral folds. In the middle of the back, there is a black, upside-down V-shape. Ventrally, the frog is off-white with reddish hindlimbs.[1]

Distribution and ecology

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The Zhijin brown frog has only been collected in a small body of water outside of a cave at an altitude of 645–728 m (2,116–2,388 ft). They are thought to breed from late June to mid-August because eggs were only collected from late July to mid-August.[1]

Etymology

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The species name Rana zhijinensis is derived from the type locality, Zhijin County in the Guizhou Province.[1] The suffix "-ensis" means "originating in" or "pertaining to".[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Luo, Xiao, and Zhou in Yan, Shasha; He, Qingqing; Luo, Tao; Xu, Cheng; Deng, Huaiqing; Xiao, Ning; Zhou, Jiang (2022). "Description of a new species of the genus Rana (Anura: Ranidae) from western Guizhou, China, integrating morphological and molecular genetic data". Zoological Systematics. 47: 275–292.
  2. ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2024). "Rana zhijinensis Luo, Xiao, and Zhou, 2022". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.2. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  3. ^ "-ensis". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 29 July 2024.