Telmatobius espadai
Encyclopedia
Telmatobius espadai, also known as the Inquisivi Water Frog, is a species of frog
in the Leptodactylidae
family, one of fourteen species of Telmatobius
water frogs endemic to Bolivia.
has greenish-brown skin, speckled with black and yellow flecks, and is well camouflaged as it sits under tree roots or stones. On close inspection it is possible to see that its rather robust body has many small bumps, known as pustules, on the back. The undersides of the legs are orange, and the underbelly and throat are grey. The hind legs are long and slender, suited to propelling the frog through water, and its feet are only partially webbed, indicating that it spends part of its life on land. Juveniles of this species are greener than adults with more yellow flecks.
An inhabitant of clear streams in the upper limits of cloud forest
, this water frog occurs at 3000–3500 m (9,842.5–11,482.9 ) above sea level. Adults are generally found resting above the water sheltered by tree trunks and stones, whilst tadpoles and juveniles have been found hidden under stones and amongst aquatic plant
s.
, a disease that causes death in frogs and is thought to contribute to declines, and even extinctions, in frog species around the world. There are also significant concerns over the possible effects of a road situated very near to one of the locations where the frog has been located. In addition, various species of water frog are sometimes consumed as part of drink with supposed aphrodisiac
qualities and this may also have contributed to the decline of this species.
Despite Telmatobius espadai being classified as Critically Endangered
(CR) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List
, there are, as of February 2010, no known conservation methods in place for this species and no current information on its status. The Rio Apaza population is located on the edges of the Carrasco National Park
and if it persists it will hopefully benefit from this proximity.
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 Leptodactylidae
Leptodactylidae
Leptodactylidae is a diverse family of frogs that probably diverged from other hyloids during the Cenozoic era, or possibly at the end of the Mesozoic. There are roughly 50 genera, one of which is Eleutherodactylus, the largest vertebrate genus, with over 700 species...
family, one of fourteen species of Telmatobius
Telmatobius
Telmatobius is a genus of frogs native to the Andean highlands in South America, where they are found in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, northwestern Argentina and northern Chile. All species are closely associated with water and some are entirely aquatic...
water frogs endemic to Bolivia.
Description
This small water frogWater frog
Water frog may refer to one of several species of frog:* Species in the genus Pelophylax, widespread in Eurasia, with a few species ranging into northern Africa.* Species in the genus Telmatobius, native to the Andean highlands in South America....
has greenish-brown skin, speckled with black and yellow flecks, and is well camouflaged as it sits under tree roots or stones. On close inspection it is possible to see that its rather robust body has many small bumps, known as pustules, on the back. The undersides of the legs are orange, and the underbelly and throat are grey. The hind legs are long and slender, suited to propelling the frog through water, and its feet are only partially webbed, indicating that it spends part of its life on land. Juveniles of this species are greener than adults with more yellow flecks.
Range and habitat
Telmatobius espadai occurs only in Bolivia, where it has been found in just two areas: the Rio Miguillas valley near Choquetanga Chico, in the department of La Paz, and near Rio Apaza, in the department of Cochabamba.An inhabitant of clear streams in the upper limits of cloud forest
Cloud forest
A cloud forest, also called a fog forest, is a generally tropical or subtropical evergreen montane moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. Cloud forests often exhibit an abundance of mosses covering the ground and...
, this water frog occurs at 3000–3500 m (9,842.5–11,482.9 ) above sea level. Adults are generally found resting above the water sheltered by tree trunks and stones, whilst tadpoles and juveniles have been found hidden under stones and amongst aquatic plant
Aquatic plant
Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments. They are also referred to as hydrophytes or aquatic macrophytes. These plants require special adaptations for living submerged in water, or at the water's surface. Aquatic plants can only grow in water or in soil that is...
s.
Biology
Little is known about the biology of this extremely rare species, which is thought to live a partially terrestrial life. The tadpole possesses a large oral sucker, a unique feature amongst Telmatobius water frogs. The function of this sucker has not yet been determined, although it is possible it may help the tadpole cling on to surfaces to prevent it from being swept away by currents, or it could even be used to suck up prey.Conservation
Telmatobius espadai is now extremely rare; a population census undertaken in 1998 found just one tadpole. This tadpole showed symptoms of chytridiomycosisChytridiomycosis
Chytridiomycosis is an infectious disease of amphibians, caused by the chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a non-hyphal zoosporic fungus. Chytridiomycosis has been linked to dramatic population declines or even extinctions of amphibian species in western North America, Central America, South...
, a disease that causes death in frogs and is thought to contribute to declines, and even extinctions, in frog species around the world. There are also significant concerns over the possible effects of a road situated very near to one of the locations where the frog has been located. In addition, various species of water frog are sometimes consumed as part of drink with supposed aphrodisiac
Aphrodisiac
An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality and love. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable...
qualities and this may also have contributed to the decline of this species.
Despite Telmatobius espadai being classified as Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species. Critically Endangered means that a species' numbers have decreased, or will decrease, by 80% within three generations....
(CR) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
, there are, as of February 2010, no known conservation methods in place for this species and no current information on its status. The Rio Apaza population is located on the edges of the Carrasco National Park
Carrasco National Park
Carrasco National Park is a national park in Cochabamba Department, Bolivia. It has a surface area of 6,226 square kilometers. More than 5,000 plant species have been registered in the area, placing the park among Bolivia's most biologically diverse. It is a protected area and people are prohibited...
and if it persists it will hopefully benefit from this proximity.