Rhaebo caeruleostictus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Ecuador and occurs along the lower western slope of the Cordillera Occidental at elevations of 40–2,000 m (130–6,560 ft) asl.[1][2][3][4] The specific name caeruleostictus, from Latin caeruleus (=blue) and Greek stiktos (spotted), refers to the bluish colour pattern of this species.[3][5] Accordingly, common name blue-spotted toad has been coined for it.[1][2][4]
| Rhaebo caeruleostictus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Bufonidae |
| Genus: | Rhaebo |
| Species: | R. caeruleostictus
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhaebo caeruleostictus (Günther, 1859)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Bufo caeruleostictus Günther, 1859 | |
Description
editMales measure 76–81 mm (3.0–3.2 in) and females 72–92 mm (2.8–3.6 in) in snout–vent length.[3][4][5] The Dorsum and sides have blueish-blackish vermiculations on orangish background (this coloration is assumed to be aposematic). The tympanum is not visible.[5] The parotoid glands are large.[4]
Habitat and conservation
editIts natural habitats are tropical moist forests and cloud forests.[1] It is a terrestrial species that breeds in riparian habitats.[5]
It is a rare species that is threatened by habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion, logging, and wood plantations.[1] It has not been seen since 1997, and it might be extinct.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Ana Almendáriz, Mario Yánez-Muñoz, Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron (2004). "Rhaebo caeruleostictus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T54597A11160570. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T54597A11160570.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Frost, Darrel R. (2019). "Rhaebo caeruleostictus (Günther, 1859)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Coloma, L. A.; Hoogmoed, M. S. (2014). "Rhaebo caeruleostictus". Anfibios de Ecuador. Centro Jambatu, Fundación Otonga. Quito, Ecuador. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d Coloma, L. A.; Ron, S. R.; Frenkel, C.; Félix-Novoa, C.; Quiguango-Ubillús, A. & Pazmiño-Armijos, G. (2018). Ron, S. R.; Merino-Viteri, A. & Ortiz, D. A. (eds.). "Rhaebo caeruleostictus". Anfibios del Ecuador. Version 2019.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 8 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Arteaga, A.; Bustamante, L. & Guayasamin, J. M. (2013). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Mindo. Quito: Universitad Tecnológica Indoamérica. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-9942-13-496-7.