Kingdom Animalia Order Anura Genus Austrochaperina Higher classification Austrochaperina | Phylum Chordata Family Microhylidae Scientific name Austrochaperina aquilonia Rank Species | |
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Austrochaperina aquilonia is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to the Sandaun Province, north-western Papua New Guinea. It is only known from two nearby locations in the Torricelli Mountains: Mount Somoro (type locality) and from the village of Wilbeite. The specific name aquilonia is a Latin adjective meaning "northern" and refers to the range of this species in the north coast mountains of New Guinea.
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Description
Austrochaperina aquilonia is only known from two specimens, both adult males: the holotype (collected by Jared Diamond) measuring 31 mm (1.2 in) in snout–vent length, and the paratype (collected by Tim Flannery) measuring 23 mm (0.91 in). It is a relatively slender-bodied species with a bluntly pointed snout. The hands are relatively small and have small finger discs. The toes are unwebbed. The dorsum is pale graybrown with darker brown irregular spotting and mottling.
Habitat and conservation
Habitat data are missing but Austrochaperina aquilonia is believed to be a forest inhabitant. The specimens were collected somewhere between 730 and 1,420 m (2,400 and 4,660 ft) above sea level. There are no known threats to this little known species.