Metaphrynella pollicaris

Metaphrynella pollicaris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Microhylidae
Subfamily: Microhylinae
Genus: Metaphrynella
Species: M. pollicaris
Binomial name
Metaphrynella pollicaris
(Boulenger, 1890)

Metaphrynella pollicaris (common name: Malaysian treefrog or Malaysian tree-hole frog) is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family. It is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia.[2][3]

Description

Males measure 24–41 mm (0.94–1.61 in) and females 27–28 mm (1.1–1.1 in) in snout–vent length. Dorsum is dark olive-brown above, with a variable patterning. Tympanum is hidden. Finger tips are expanded into large disks.[3]

Habitat and conservation

The species' natural habitats are evergreen rainforest and forest edges. It lives in hollows in tree trunks and bamboo, where it also reproduces. While it is secretive, the male call is distinctive and makes it surveyable. Based on the calls, it is abundant where it occurs. It abundance seems to be limited by the availability of tree holes. It can occur as low as 550 m (1,800 ft) asl, but is more common from about 900 m (3,000 ft) upwards.[1]

It could be locally threatened by habitat loss, although it may benefit from habitat clearing that encourages the growth of giant bamboos, providing it with its microhabitat. It is known from several protected areas.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Yaakob, N.; Sukumaran, J.; van Dijk, P.P.; Mumpuni & Iskandar, D. (2004). "Metaphrynella pollicaris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Metaphrynella pollicaris (Boulenger, 1890)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Metaphrynella pollicaris". Amphibians and Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
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