Kingdom Animalia Order Anura Genus Telmatobius Higher classification Telmatobius | Phylum Chordata Family Telmatobiidae Scientific name Telmatobius dankoi Rank Species | |
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Similar Telmatobius, Frog, Amphibians, Telmatobiinae | ||
Telmatobius dankoi is a species of critically endangered aquatic frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to Chile and is only known from its type locality near Calama, in the El Loa province. The specific name dankoi honors professor Danko Brncic, a Chilean geneticist. Prior to its description in 1999, it was confused with Telmatobius halli.
Contents
Description
Adult males measure 49–55 mm (1.9–2.2 in) and females 46–52 mm (1.8–2.0 in) in snout–vent length. There are small thorns on the posterior third of the body, flanks, head, and extremities. Tympanum and tympanic ring are absent. The toes are webbed. Males have small nuptial spines.
The tadpoles are large: the longest measured tadpole was 85 mm (3.3 in). The body is ovoid and measures about 30 mm (1.2 in) among the largest tadpoles.
Habitat and ecology
The species has been collected in small streams along the Loa River at about 2,260 m (7,410 ft) above sea level. The streams are bordered by Baccharis glutinosa and Tessaria absinthioides and are located in a high desert environment.
Stomach contents of two adult specimens revealed a diet consisting of odonate larvae, snails of genus Littoridina, and amphipods (Hyalella gracilicornis); the last were the dominant group. Beetles from families Dytiscidae and Elmidae were present in the habitat but not identified in the stomach contents.
Tapeworm Ophiotaenia calamensis was described as a new species based on specimens from the small intestine of this frog. Three tapeworms, measuring 45–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in) in total length, were found in the eight adult male frogs examined.
Conservation
In 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed Telmatobius dankoi as being critically endangered. Its range is very small, and the habitat is affected by water pollution from mining activities. Additional threats are abstraction of surface water for human consumption and agriculture, as well as recreational activities.