Austrochaperina basipalmata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Austrochaperina basipalmata |
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Chaperina basipalmata (van Kampen, 1906) |
Austrochaperina basipalmata is a small frog that lives in the rainforests of New Guinea. It belongs to a family of frogs called Microhylidae. This special frog is found only in the mountain ranges of northern New Guinea. Its home stretches from the Tawarin River in Papua, Western New Guinea (which is part of Indonesia), all the way to the Torricelli Mountains in Papua New Guinea.
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What Does This Frog Look Like?
These frogs are quite small. Adult males are about 32–34 mm (1.3–1.3 in) long. Adult females are a bit larger, measuring 33–39 mm (1.3–1.5 in) from their snout to their rear end.
Snout and Head
The tip of the male frog's snout is a bit pointy and noticeably white. Female frogs, however, have a rounded snout that is rarely white. Young frogs of both sexes have dark snouts. The frog's head is a little narrower than its body.
Eyes and Ears
Its eyes are quite small. The tympanum, which is like the frog's eardrum, is hard to see.
Fingers, Toes, and Skin
The tips of its fingers and toes have special grooved discs. These help the frog grip surfaces. Its toes also have a small amount of webbing at their base. The skin on the frog's back is smooth or slightly bumpy. On its belly, the skin is smooth.
Color
When preserved, these frogs are brown on their backs. They often have faint darker spots or patterns. Sometimes, these spots are very clear. Their undersides are a pale tan color. The chin, chest, and back legs often have darker patterns.
Where Does This Frog Live and Is It Safe?
Austrochaperina basipalmata lives in rainforests. You can usually find them near small mountain streams. They live at elevations of 940–1,200 m (3,080–3,940 ft) above sea level.
Population and Development
These frogs are quite common in the areas where they live. They have a unique way of developing. Unlike many frogs, they do not have a free-swimming tadpole stage. Instead, their young develop directly into small frogs inside the egg.
Conservation Status
Scientists do not know of any major threats to this frog species. This means their population is currently stable. It is possible that some of these frogs live inside the Cyclops Mountains Nature Reserve. This protected area would help keep them safe.
