Helena's marsupial frog (Gastrotheca helenae) is a species of frog in the family Hemiphractidae. It is endemic to the Páramo de Tamá on the Venezuelan-Colombian border and occurs in Apure and Táchira states of Venezuela and Norte de Santander Department on the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia.[1][3][4] It is named after Helen Gaige, an American herpetologist.[2][5]
| Helena's marsupial frog | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hemiphractidae |
| Genus: | Gastrotheca |
| Species: | G. helenae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gastrotheca helenae | |
Description edit
Gastrotheca helenae is a large marsupial frog. The holotype, an adult female, measured 62 mm (2.4 in) in snout–vent length. The dorsum is smooth and bright green in color; the sides and belly are reddish brown with white markings. The belly and throat are quite rugose. The toes are about half-webbed whereas the fingers have only traces of webbing.[2][6]
Habitat and conservation edit
Its natural habitats are cloud forests[1][4] and páramo[4] at elevations of 2,300–3,600 m (7,500–11,800 ft) above sea level.[3][4] It is much more easily heard than seen.[1]
The species occurs in the Tamá National Natural Park in Colombia and El Tamá National Park in Venezuela. Threats to it are unknown. It was abundant in the mid-1980s when last surveyed.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2021). "Gastrotheca helenae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T55339A85899122. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T55339A85899122.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Dunn, E. R. (1944). "Notes on Colombian herpetology, II". Caldasia. 2: 397–406.
- ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Gastrotheca helenae Dunn, 1944". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2015). "Gastrotheca helenae Dunn, 1944". Lista de los Anfibios de Colombia V.05.2015. www.batrachia.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ Bo Beolens; Michael Watkins; Michael Grayson (22 April 2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 153. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
- ^ Cochran, Doris M.; Goin, Coleman J. (1970). "Frogs of Colombia". Bulletin of the United States National Museum. 288: 1–678. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.6346. (pages 175-177)