Kaloula aureata
Species of amphibian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Kaloula aureata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Microhylidae |
| Genus: | Kaloula |
| Species: | K. aureata |
| Binomial name | |
| Kaloula aureata | |
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]