Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Phrynobatrachidae
Genus: Phrynobatrachus
Species:
P. kinangopensis
Binomial name
Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis
Angel, 1924

Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis is a species of frog in the family Phrynobatrachidae. It is endemic to the Kenyan Highlands east of the Great Rift Valley. Both the scientific name and its common names, Kinangop river frog and Kinangop puddle frog, refer to its type locality, Mount Kinangop.[1][2][3][4]

Description

Males measure up to 19 mm (0.75 in) and females up to 24 mm (0.94 in) in snout–vent length. In addition to the sexual dimorphism ins size, mature males differ from females by having small, white asperities on the posterior half of the body and a speckled throat. The feet are moderately to extensively webbed. There is a dark band running from the nostrils to the tympanum, sometimes border by a silvery streak.[3][4]

Distribution

The species is distributed in the Kenyan Highlands between the Aberdare Mountains (including the eponymous Kinangop Plateau), Mount Kenya, and Nairobi at elevations of 1,800–3,100 m (5,900–10,200 ft) above sea level.[1]

Habitat and conservation

Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis occurs in montane grasslands and forests and is associated with rain-filled temporary pools, its presumed breeding habitat.[1]

Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis is a rare species, although this impression might also be caused by surveys conducted at a wrong time of the year. Nevertheless, intensive subsistence agriculture is causing habitat deterioration and loss outside the national parks—the species occurs in both the Aberdare and Mount Kenya National Parks. Agro-chemicals might also be an issue. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers it "Vulnerable".[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T58121A17168074. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T58121A17168074.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis Angel, 1924". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis". AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  4. 1 2 Breda Zimkus (2014). "Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis Angel, 1924". African Amphibians. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
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