Rhaebo caeruleostictus

Rhaebo caeruleostictus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Ecuador and occurs along the lower western slope of the Cordillera Occidental at elevations of 40–2,000 m (130–6,560 ft) asl.[1][2][3][4] The specific name caeruleostictus, from Latin caeruleus (=blue) and Greek stiktos (spotted), refers to the bluish colour pattern of this species.[3][5] Accordingly, common name blue-spotted toad has been coined for it.[1][2][4]

Rhaebo caeruleostictus

Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Rhaebo
Species:
R. caeruleostictus
Binomial name
Rhaebo caeruleostictus
(Günther, 1859)
Synonyms[2]

Bufo caeruleostictus Günther, 1859
Bufo chanchanensis Fowler, 1913

Description

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Males measure 76–81 mm (3.0–3.2 in) and females 72–92 mm (2.8–3.6 in) in snout–vent length.[3][4][5] The Dorsum and sides have blueish-blackish vermiculations on orangish background (this coloration is assumed to be aposematic). The tympanum is not visible.[5] The parotoid glands are large.[4]

Habitat and conservation

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Its natural habitats are tropical moist forests and cloud forests.[1] It is a terrestrial species that breeds in riparian habitats.[5]

It is a rare species that is threatened by habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion, logging, and wood plantations.[1] It has not been seen since 1997, and it might be extinct.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Ana Almendáriz, Mario Yánez-Muñoz, Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron (2004). "Rhaebo caeruleostictus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T54597A11160570. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T54597A11160570.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c Frost, Darrel R. (2019). "Rhaebo caeruleostictus (Günther, 1859)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Coloma, L. A.; Hoogmoed, M. S. (2014). "Rhaebo caeruleostictus". Anfibios de Ecuador. Centro Jambatu, Fundación Otonga. Quito, Ecuador. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Coloma, L. A.; Ron, S. R.; Frenkel, C.; Félix-Novoa, C.; Quiguango-Ubillús, A. & Pazmiño-Armijos, G. (2018). Ron, S. R.; Merino-Viteri, A. & Ortiz, D. A. (eds.). "Rhaebo caeruleostictus". Anfibios del Ecuador. Version 2019.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e Arteaga, A.; Bustamante, L. & Guayasamin, J. M. (2013). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Mindo. Quito: Universitad Tecnológica Indoamérica. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-9942-13-496-7.