Short-legged horned toad
| Xenophrys brachykolos | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Megophryidae |
| Genus: | Xenophrys |
| Species: | X. brachykolos |
| Binomial name | |
| Xenophrys brachykolos (Inger & Romer, 1961) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Megophrys brachykolos Inger and Romer, 1961 | |
The short-legged horned toad or Peak spadefoot toad (Xenophrys brachykolos) is a frog native to southern China and Vietnam.[2] It was first discovered in the Victoria Peak (locally known as The Peak), Hong Kong.[3] Many populations of Hong Kong are in the country parks, such as Lung Fu Shan Country Park.[4]
Taxonomy and distribution
Whether Xenophrys brachykolos is a valid species or a mere subspecies of Xenophrys minor has been questioned, but molecular genetic evidence now supports its species status. Recent research has also shown that the species has a wider distribution than assumed before.[2] At the time of the IUCN assessment in 2004, the species was hardly known outside Hong Kong and it was considered to be an endangered species.[1] Reflecting the distribution now known to be much wider, the conservation status of Xenophrys brachykolos is likely to change when the assessment is updated.
Description
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Xenophrys brachykolos are relatively small but robust frogs. Males have a snout-vent length of 34–40 mm (1.3–1.6 in) and females 40–48 mm (1.6–1.9 in). They have a strongly projecting snout and a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of the upper eyelid (the "horn" of a "horned toad").[3]
References
- 1 2 Michael Wai Neng Lau; Zhao Ermi; Annemarie Ohler; Peter Paul van Dijk (2004). "Xenophrys brachykolos". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Xenophrys brachykolos (Inger and Romer, 1961)". Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- 1 2 Inger, Robert F.; Romer, J. D. (1961). "A new pelobatid frog of the genus Megophrys from Hong Kong". Fieldiana Zoology. 39: 533–538.
- ↑ Sung, Yik Hei (2006). "Night safaris in Lung Fu Shan Country Park, Hong Kong". Porcupine!. Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, HKU. 34 (September 2006): 16–17. Retrieved 7 January 2013.