Cardioglossa nigromaculata

Cardioglossa nigromaculata is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the south-western Cameroon and in the extreme southern Nigeria at low altitudes. Common name blackspotted long-fingered frog has been coined for it.[1][2]

Cardioglossa nigromaculata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Arthroleptidae
Genus: Cardioglossa
Species:
C. nigromaculata
Binomial name
Cardioglossa nigromaculata
Nieden, 1908
Synonyms[2]

Cardioglossa leucomystax var. nigromaculata Nieden, 1908

Description edit

Males measure 24–26 mm (0.9–1.0 in) and females, based on a single specimen, 32 mm (1.3 in) in snout–vent length.[3] Males have extremely long third fingers and spines in the fingers and in the groin; females lack these characteristics.[4] Dorsal markings, typical for the genus Cardioglossa, consist of an hour-glass pattern, with a separate blotch on the head. The white line running under the tympanum terminates under the eye.[5]

Habitat and conservation edit

Cardioglossa nigromaculata occurs in lowland moist forests, as well as in degraded habitats near more mature forests, at elevations of 100–300 m (330–980 ft) above sea level. Individuals can be spotted in small groups along forest watercourses, often in undergrowth among dead leaves and in holes. Breeding presumably takes place in streams where the tadpoles develop.[1]

Cardioglossa nigromaculata is fairly common species, but it is often missing from seemingly suitable habitat. The overall population is believed to be decreasing because of habitat loss caused by urbanization, agriculture, and logging. It occurs in the Korup National Park and Ebo Forest Reserve in Cameroon.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2017). "Cardioglossa nigromaculata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T89186860A49312036. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T89186860A49312036.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Cardioglossa nigromaculata Nieden, 1908". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  3. ^ Hirschfeld, Mareike; Blackburn, David C.; Burger, Marius; Greenbaum, Eli; Zassi-Boulou, Ange-Ghislain & Rödel, Mark-Oliver (2015). "Two new species of long-fingered frogs of the genus Cardioglossa (Anura: Arthroleptidae) from Central African rainforests". African Journal of Herpetology. 64 (2): 81–102. doi:10.1080/21564574.2015.1052102. S2CID 86429301.
  4. ^ Blackburn, David C. (2009). "Diversity and evolution of male secondary sexual characters in African squeakers and long-fingered frogs". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 96 (3): 553–573. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01138.x.
  5. ^ Blackburn, David C.; Kosuch, Joachim; Schmitz, Andreas; Burger, Marius; Wagner, Philipp; Gonwouo, L. Nono; Hillers, Annika & Rödel, Mark-Oliver (2008). "A new species of Cardioglossa (Anura: Artholeptidae) from the Upper Guinean forests of West Africa" (PDF). Copeia. 2008 (3): 603–612. doi:10.1643/CH-06-233. S2CID 53471472.