Puneet Varma (Editor)

Brachycephalus ferruginus

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Class
  
Amphibia

Family
  
Brachycephalidae

Scientific name
  
Brachycephalus ferruginus

Phylum
  
Chordata

Order
  
Anura

Genus
  
Brachycephalus

Rank
  
Species

Brachycephalus ferruginus

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Brachycephalus ferruginus is a species of frog in the family Brachycephalidae. It is endemic to Brazil and only known from its type locality, Pico Marumbi, in the Serra do Mar in Morretes, Paraná state. Its altitudinal range is about 1,000–1,200 m (3,300–3,900 ft) above sea level.

Contents

Etymology

The specific name ferruginus is a Latin noun and means "rust" or "reddish-brown". This alludes to the dorsal reddish-brown markings of this species.

Description

As all brachycephalids, Brachycephalus ferruginus are small: adult males measure 11.6–12.5 mm (0.46–0.49 in) and females 13.0–14.5 mm (0.51–0.57 in) in snout–vent length; this miniaturization is associated with loss of phalanges in hands and feet. The body is robust and toad-like. There is no tympanum. The general color is orange. There are dorsal reddish-brown irregular markings; the lateral surfaces have small dark brown spots, and the belly has brownish spots and small dots. The skin on top of the head and central part of the back body is smooth and without dermal co-ossification, whereas skin on the dorso-lateral surfaces of body, flanks, and dorsal surface of thighs is granular.

A dissected female was found to contain three eggs. Eggs are probably terrestrial with direct development, as in B. ephippium.

Habitat and conservation

Brachycephalus ferruginus inhabit the leaf litter in the Atlantic Rainforest. They are active by day; males are exposed on the litter when calling. The species can be locally abundant. There are no known threats to this species, but it is only known from a single location.

References

Brachycephalus ferruginus Wikipedia