Cardioglossa cyaneospila
Species of amphibian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cardioglossa cyaneospila is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to the Albertine Rift area in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, southwestern Uganda, Rwanda, and southwestern Burundi.[2][3] It was described in 1950 by Raymond Laurent based on specimens collected in 1949.[3] No new records were published until 2011.[4][5] Recent research has uncovered both old unpublished records and several new records,[3] and the conservation status was changed from "data deficient" to "near threatened" in 2016.[1] Common names Bururi long-fingered frog[3] and Mukuzira long-fingered frog have been coined for this species.[2]
| Cardioglossa cyaneospila | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Arthroleptidae |
| Genus: | Cardioglossa |
| Species: | C. cyaneospila |
| Binomial name | |
| Cardioglossa cyaneospila Laurent, 1950 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Cardioglossa nigromaculata cyaneospila Laurent, 1950 | |
Description
Two males from Bururi measure about 31 mm (1.2 in) in snout–vent length.[6] The species is named for its unusual blueish gray color.[3] It has dark spots in its dorsum, a dark mask surrounding the eye and tympanum, and an infratympanic line typical for the genus Cardioglossa.[6] Males have extremely long third fingers.[7]
Habitat and conservation
Cardioglossa cyaneospila occurs in montane forests[1] at elevations of 1,470–2,300 m (4,820–7,550 ft) above sea level, with one imprecise record from about 1,100–1,300 m (3,600–4,300 ft).[3] Specimens have been found active along trails during the day as well as active on the ground just before dusk, calling among low-lying vegetation some 1 metre above a stream.[3]
Montane forests in the range of this species are generally highly threatened by agricultural encroachment and logging.[1] However, it occurs in several protected areas, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Kahuzi-Biéga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bururi Nature Reserve in Burundi, and Gishwati Forest in Rwanda.[1][3] It is also likely to occur in the Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1]