Centrolene ballux is a species of frog in the family Centrolenidae.[3] It is known from a few disjunct localities on the Pacific versant of the Cordillera Occidental in southern Colombia (Nariño Department) and northern Ecuador (Pichincha and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas Provinces).[4][5] Common names golden-flecked glassfrog and Burrowes' giant glass frog have been coined for it.[3]
| Centrolene ballux | |
|---|---|
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| C. ballux in Pichincha, Ecuador | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Centrolenidae |
| Genus: | Centrolene |
| Species: | C. ballux
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| Binomial name | |
| Centrolene ballux | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
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Centrolenella ballux Duellman and Burrowes, 1989[2] | |
Etymology
editThe specific name ballux is Latin meaning "gold dust", in reference to the tiny gold flecks on the dorsum.[2][4]
Description
editAdult males measure 19–22 mm (0.75–0.87 in) and females 21–23 mm (0.83–0.91 in) in snout–vent length. The snout is rounded. Both fingers and toes are webbed.[2][4][6] The tympanum is visible. The dorsum is dark lime green and has minute pale gold-white flecks, which are most numerous on the hind limbs. The tips of digits are yellowish green. The venter is translucent.[2][4]
Habitat and conservation
editIts natural habitats are humid upper montane forests at elevations of 1,700–2,340 m (5,580–7,680 ft) above sea level.[1][3][4] It occurs in vegetation some 50 to 200 cm above the ground, typically near streams or ditches.[2][4] Breeding takes place in streams.[1] It is an endangered species due to climate change (which changes humidity) and habitat loss, possibly also introduced predatory fish as well as pollution and chytridiomycosis. It occurs in Reserva La Planada (private) in Colombia[1] and in Reserva Las Gralarias in Ecuador.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2019). "Centrolene ballux". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T54907A85877221. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T54907A85877221.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Duellman, William E. & Burrowes, Patricia A. (1989). "New species of frogs, Centrolenella, from the Pacific versant of Ecuador and southern Colombia". Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas. 132: 1–14.
- ^ a b c d Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Centrolene ballux (Duellman and Burrowes, 1989)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Guayasamín, J. M.; et al. (2019). Ron, S. R.; Merino-Viteri, A. & Ortiz, D. A. (eds.). "Centrolene ballux". Anfibios del Ecuador. Version 2019.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ Acosta Galvis, A. R. (2020). "Centrolene ballux (Duellman & Burrowes, 1989)". Lista de los Anfibios de Colombia: Referencia en linea V.10.2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ Guayasamin, Juan M.; Bustamante, Martin R.; Almeida-Reinoso, Diego & Funk, W. Chris (2006). "Glass frogs (Centrolenidae) of Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador, with the description of a new species and comments on centrolenid systematics". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 147 (4): 489–513. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2006.00223.x.