Blue-sided leaf frog
The blue-sided leaf frog (Agalychnis annae), also known as the orange-eyed leaf frog, is an endangered species of tree frog in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae[3] native to the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica and Panama.[1][4] The specific name annae honors Ann S. Duellman, the collector of the holotype and the describer's wife.[2][5]
| Blue-sided leaf frog | |
|---|---|
| In Heredia, Costa Rica | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Agalychnis |
| Species: | A. annae |
| Binomial name | |
| Agalychnis annae (Duellman, 1963) | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Distribution and habitat
This tree frog is known only from the Central Valley of Costa Rica, on the slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca, the Cordillera de Tilarán and the Cordillera Central ranges, at altitudes between about 600 and 1,650 m (2,000 and 5,400 ft). The total extent of its range is estimated to be around 16,000 km2 (6,178 sq mi). There may be a subpopulation in the Cerro Colorado range in western Panama, as suggested by a single female being found there (2012). Much of the forest in which the frog lives has been cleared, so there are a number of subpopulations separated by coffee plantations, cultivated areas and urban areas.[1]
Status
Agalychnis annae is fairly common in parts of the Central Valley, but in other undisturbed forests, like those in the Tapantí National Park and the Monteverde Biological Reserve, after it disappeared from pristine areas in 1980, it became uncommon except in some places. Also, this includes protected areas such as Parque Nacional Tapantí and the Reserva Biológica Monteverde. The remnant sub-populations of this animal in Central Valley are being fragmented by urban development.[6] This local extinction may be associated with climate change or with the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis which causes chytridiomycosis, a devastating disease among frog populations in Central America. Some individuals have tested positive for the fungus, yet the species persists in these localities. The IUCN has classified the frog as being a vulnerable species.[1]
Gallery
References
- ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group & NatureServe (2020). "Agalychnis annae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T55288A158518518. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T55288A158518518.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b Duellman, William E. (1963). "A new species of tree frog, genus Phyllomedusa, from Costa Rica". Revista de Biología Tropical. 11 (1): 1–23.
- ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2022). "Agalychnis annae (Duellman, 1963)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "Unique frog helps amphibian conservation efforts". Sciencedaily.com. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
- ^ "Agalychnis annae's assessments · iNaturalist". iNaturalist. Retrieved 23 April 2022.