Eupsophus vertebralis
| Eupsophus vertebralis | |
|---|---|
| Eupsophus vertebralis releasing a sticky secretion from its skin. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Alsodidae |
| Genus: | Eupsophus |
| Species: | E. vertebralis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Eupsophus vertebralis Grandison, 1961
| |
Eupsophus vertebralis also known as the Valdivian ground frog, is a species of frog in the family Alsodidae. It is found in Argentina and Chile.[2][3]
Habitat
Its natural habitats are Nothofagus forest, rivers, and intermittent freshwater marshes. People find these frogs under logs. Scientists observed this frog between 50 and 1100 meters above sea level.[2][1]
Scientists have found this frog inside some protected parks: National Park Tolhuaca, Parque Nacional Alerce Costero, Parque Nacional Puyehue, Monumento Natural Contulmo, and Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi..
Threats
The IUCN classifies this animal as least concern of extinction. It is threatened by habitat loss associated with firewood collection and conversion of forest land to pine and eucalyptus plantations. Forest fires are also a threat.[1]
Young
The female frog lays eggs in small puddles in the ground. The tadpoles do not eat.[1]
Defense
The species is capable of releasing a sticky secretion from its skin when stressed. The shear strength of this secretion is similar to that of cyanoacrylate (also known as super glue).[4]
Original description
- Duméril, A. M. C.; G. Bibron (1841). "Erpétologie Genérale ou Histoire Naturelle Complète des Reptiles". Paris: Librarie Enclyclopedique de Roret. 6.
References
- ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2019). "Eupsophus vertebralis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T57080A79812871. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T57080A79812871.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. "Eupsophus vertebralis Grandison, 1961". Amphibian Species of the World, an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History, New York. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ "Eupsophus vertebralis Grandison, 1961". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ Suárez-Villota, Elkin Y.; Trovatti, Eliane; Contreras, Felipe A.; Nuñez, José J. (2021-08-24). "Characterisation of a skin secretion with adhesive properties in the ground frog Eupsophus vertebralis (Alsodidae)". Herpetozoa. 34: 169–173. doi:10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e68576. ISSN 2682-955X.