Kingdom Animalia Order Anura Genus Hylodes Higher classification Hylodes | Phylum Chordata Family Hylodidae Scientific name Hylodes asper Rank Species | |
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Similar Hylodes, Frog, Amphibians, Hylodidae, Leptodactylidae | ||
Foot flagging display in hylodes asper brazilian torrent frog
Hylodes asper, or the Brazilian torrent frog, is a species of frog in the Hylodidae family. It is endemic to the Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states in southerastern Brazil. Living in a high-noise environment, the species uses "semaphoring" to supplement acoustic signalling.
Contents
Hylodes asper anura hylodidae foot flagging and vocalizing
Behaviour
Hylodes asper are diurnal. Males use both visual and acoustic signalling to attract females and to maintain their territories. "Foot-flagging" is the most distinctive visual display, usually performed while calling. In foot-flagging, the raises one hind limb and extends it up and back, exposing the silvery colour of the dorsal surfaces of toes and toe fringes.
Male Hylodes asper have been observed to construct an underwater chamber, apparently for use as a nest for reproduction.
Habitat and conservation
The species' natural habitats are larger forest streams and small forest rivers in primary and old secondary forests. Active by day, it can be found on rocks and low vegetation along the streams.
Hylodes asper is generally common, but local declines have been reported. The most significant threats to this species are the effects of tourism and water pollution, although it generally lives in steep terrain with little development.