Adenomera lutzi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adenomera lutzi |
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Leptodactylus lutzi (Heyer, 1975) |
Adenomera lutzi is a type of frog that belongs to the Leptodactylidae family. This special frog is found only in Guyana, a country in South America.
Scientists first described this frog in 1975. They found it near the upper Potaro River. Today, we know it lives in many places around the Pakaraima Mountains in western Guyana. The frog's name, lutzi, honors Adolfo Lutz. He was a Brazilian scientist who studied insects and parasites, and was also a pioneer in studying amphibians and reptiles. People sometimes call this frog Lutz's tropical bullfrog or Lutz's thin-toed frog.
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What Does Adenomera lutzi Look Like?
These frogs are quite small. Adult males are about 26 to 34 millimeters (1 to 1.3 inches) long. Adult females are similar in size, measuring 27 to 34 millimeters (1.1 to 1.3 inches) from snout to vent.
Their snout, or nose area, looks like a rounded oval from above. From the side, it's pointed. The frog has clear eardrums, called a tympanum. Their toe tips are a bit wider, like small discs.
The skin on their back can be many different colors and patterns. Some are dark brown, grey, or black with almost no pattern. Others are light grey with clear dark brown or black markings. These markings can include a bar between their eyes and spots on their back. Some frogs have a white stripe that goes from their eye to their arm. A thin, yellow stripe often runs down the middle of their back. The back of their thighs is black with yellow, orange, or red spots.
Male frogs have yellow or orangish-yellow throats and bellies. They also have a special internal pouch, called a vocal sac, which helps them make calls.
How Do They Reproduce?
Scientists believe that male Adenomera lutzi frogs use their shovel-shaped snouts to dig nests underground. They do this during the wettest time of the year. This is because the soil needs to be wet enough to dig these special egg chambers.
Males make a call to attract females. Their call is a series of regular notes. They repeat these notes about 17 to 23 times every minute. The main sound of their call is around 3300 to 3600 Hertz. Female frogs lay a small number of eggs, usually between 3 and 10.
Where Do They Live and How Are They Protected?
Adenomera lutzi lives in tropical forests. These forests can be in lowlands or on mountains. They are found at heights from 430 to 1500 meters (about 1,400 to 4,900 feet) above sea level.
These frogs are mostly active at night. They live among the fallen leaves on the forest floor. Unlike many frogs, they do not need ponds or streams to lay their eggs.
This frog species can be quite common in certain areas. There are no known major threats to them right now. They live in remote, untouched forests. They are also found in the Kaieteur National Park, which helps protect them.
See also
In Spanish: Adenomera lutzi para niños
