Cave Squeaker
Encyclopedia
The Cave Squeaker is a species of frog
in the Arthroleptidae
family.
It is found in Zimbabwe
and possibly Mozambique
.
Its natural habitat
s are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland
and cave
s. Very little is known about this species of frog. It is taxonomically distinct from "true frogs" from the family Ranidae. The Cave Squeaker undergoes direct development, foregoing existence as a tadpole and hatching directly as miniature adults. This means that the embryo develops into a tadpole and subsequently into an adult frog before hatching. The eggs must still be laid in a damp location however. This ability frees the Cave Squeaker from dependence on bodies of water for reproduction.
This is a small species, measuring just 25 mm in total length. The tips of the fingers and toes are slightly swollen. The colouration of the dorsal (or upper) surface is light brown with slightly dark speckling on the back of the head, with the remainder of the back being dark brown with irregular dark markings. The arms and legs are strongly banded.
The cave squeaker is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because its extent of occurrence is less than 100 km sq. and its area of occupancy is less than 10 km sq., all individuals are in a single location, and there might be a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals, due to climate change (or other unidentified threats).
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
in the Arthroleptidae
Arthroleptidae
Arthroleptidae is a family of frogs found in Sub-Saharan Africa. They are also known as squeakers because of their high-pitched call. They are small, less than in length, terrestrial frogs found mostly in leaf litter on the forest floor. They completely bypass any aquatic stage, and therefore do...
family.
It is found in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
and possibly Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
.
Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
and cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s. Very little is known about this species of frog. It is taxonomically distinct from "true frogs" from the family Ranidae. The Cave Squeaker undergoes direct development, foregoing existence as a tadpole and hatching directly as miniature adults. This means that the embryo develops into a tadpole and subsequently into an adult frog before hatching. The eggs must still be laid in a damp location however. This ability frees the Cave Squeaker from dependence on bodies of water for reproduction.
This is a small species, measuring just 25 mm in total length. The tips of the fingers and toes are slightly swollen. The colouration of the dorsal (or upper) surface is light brown with slightly dark speckling on the back of the head, with the remainder of the back being dark brown with irregular dark markings. The arms and legs are strongly banded.
The cave squeaker is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because its extent of occurrence is less than 100 km sq. and its area of occupancy is less than 10 km sq., all individuals are in a single location, and there might be a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals, due to climate change (or other unidentified threats).
Source
- Poynton, J.C. & Channing, A. 2004. Arthroleptis troglodytes. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 20 July 2007.
- http://www.edgeofexistence.org/amphibians/species_info.php?id=643