Kaloula aureata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Microhylidae
Genus: Kaloula
Species:
K. aureata
Binomial name
Kaloula aureata
Nutphand, 1989[2]

Kaloula aureata, also known as the golden burrowing frog or golden bullfrog, is a species of frogs in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to southern Thailand with records from the Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces.[1][3][4] The validity of this poorly known species has been questioned, and Ohler (2003) tentatively considered it synonym of Kaloula pulchra macrocephala. However, following Pauwels and Chérot (2006),[4] it is now recognized as a valid species.[1][3][5]

Description

The lectotype is a male measuring 60 mm (2.4 in) in snout–vent length. The fingers are slender. The toe tips may be broadened into small disc-shaped pads. Dorsal skin is finely granulated. The body has brown ground colour with irregular yellow marks that give a golden aspect to the whole body – hence the specific name aureata. The belly is white.[4]

Habitat and conservation

There is little ecological information on this species.[1] It appeared to be rare at the time of collection of the type series in the 1970s.[4] It comes from a region dominated by semi-evergreen rainforest. Reproduction is assumed to take place in seasonal pools. Habitat loss (deforestation) is occurring in the region and is a possible threat to this species.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. (2021). "Kaloula aureata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T136107A116009717. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T136107A116009717.en. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  2. Nutphand, Wirot (1989). "Bull frogs or burrowing frogs". Thai Zoological Center (in Thai). Vol. 4. Bangkok. pp. 1–10.
  3. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2023). "Kaloula aureata Nutphand, 1989". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Pauwels, Olivier S. G. & Chérot, Frédéric. "Translation of the original description of Kaloula aureata Nutphand, 1989 (Anura: Microhylidae), with lectotype designation" (PDF). Hamadryad. 30: 172–175.
  5. "Kaloula aureata". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
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