Ptychadena wadei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Ptychadenidae
Genus: Ptychadena
Species:
P. wadei
Binomial name
Ptychadena wadei
Largen, 2000[2]

Ptychadena wadei is a species of frog in the family Ptychadenidae. It is endemic to Ethiopia and only known from a small area southeast of Lake Tana, in the upper reaches of the Blue Nile.[1][3] The specific name wadei honours Edward O.Z. Wade, an English illustrator and herpetology enthusiast[2][4] who drew some of the illustrations accompanying the species description.[2] Common name Wade's grass frog has been coined for it.[3]

Description

Adult males measure 30–31 mm (1.2–1.2 in) in snout–vent length. The type series does not include adult females; the largest, still immature female was 30 mm (1.2 in). The head is longer than it is broad; the snout is moderately pointed. The tympanum is conspicuous. The toes are moderately webbed. The hindlimbs are relatively short. The dorsum has five pairs of longitudinal skin folds that are nearly complete. A pale vertebral stripe extends from the tip of the snout to the supra-anal region; some individuals have also a weak, even paler vertebral stripe. There are numerous small dark brown blotches arranged in rows along the skin folds, except for the outermost ones. A dark streak passes from snout tip through the eye and the tympanum, ending behind the forelimb insertion. The upper lip and infra-tympanic ridge are pale. The tibia have 2–5 transverse bars, often narrowly interrupted by a tibial line. The venter is immaculate, cream. Males have bicoloured vocal sacs.[2]

Habitat and conservation

Ptychadena wadei is known from montane grassland and shrubland at elevations of 1,800–1,850 m (5,910–6,070 ft) above sea level. Breeding takes place in temporary pools and streamlets.[1]

Threats to this species are poorly known, but it is likely to be affected by habitat degradation, primarily caused by agricultural development, expanding human settlements, and overgrazing by livestock. It is not known to occur in any protected area.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2014). "Ptychadena wadei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T58534A18402749. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T58534A18402749.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Largen, Malcolm J. (2000). "Another new species of Ptychadena Boulenger 1917 from Ethiopia (Amphibia Anura Ranidae)". Tropical Zoology. 13 (1): 171–178. doi:10.1080/03946975.2000.10531130. S2CID 84119233.
  3. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Ptychadena wadei Largen, 2000". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  4. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 226. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
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