Seychelles frog
| Seychelles frog | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Suborder: | Neobatrachia |
| Family: | Sooglossidae |
| Genus: | Sooglossus |
| Species: | S. sechellensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Sooglossus sechellensis (Boettger, 1896) | |
The Seychelles frog (Sooglossus sechellensis) is a species of frog endemic to Mahé, Silhouette and Praslin islands in the Seychelles.[1] It inhabits the floor of damp rainforest at altitudes from 150 m (490 ft) to 991 m (3,251 ft) above sea level. Higher altitude sites are considered to be more climatically stable and more suitable. The species is present in Morne Seychellois National Park, Silhouette National Park and Praslin National Park.[1]
The reproductive biology of this species is unusual. Eggs are laid on the ground and guarded until they hatch. The tadpoles are thereafter carried on one of their parent's backs.[1]
The IUCN assessed the species as "Endangered" in 2013. Although it is locally common, it has a small area of occupancy (about 29 km²), a severely fragmented habitat and distribution, and a declining population, particularly at lower altitudes. It is threatened by habitat degradation due to fire and invasive species (the tree Cinnamomum verum and the yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes). In addition, climate change projections predict a steady shrinkage in its area of habitat due to declining rainfall.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Sooglossus sechellensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2013: e.T20381A15446818. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T20381A15446818.en. Retrieved 11 November 2016.