Cophixalus tagulensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cophixalus tagulensis |
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Cophixalus tagulensis is a tiny frog that belongs to the family Microhylidae. This special frog lives only in Papua New Guinea. It has only been found on Tagula Island, which is part of the Louisiade Archipelago located east of New Guinea. Scientists have only ever found three of these frogs. They were all collected in 1956.
What it Looks Like
The first adult male frog found was about 17.7 millimeters long. This measurement is from its snout (nose) to its vent (bottom). Other frogs found were between 13.5 and 18.5 millimeters long.
This frog has a blunt, or rounded, snout. You cannot see its eardrum, which is called the tympanum. Its skin feels smooth both on its back and on its belly.
Its fingers and toes have small sticky pads, called discs. The pads on its fingers are smaller than the ones on its toes. The frog also has small flaps of skin along the sides of its fingers and toes. Its toes are also about half-webbed.
Where it Lives and How it's Protected
This frog's natural home is in warm, wet lowland forests. The first frogs were found on the west side of Mount Riu. They were living at heights of about 250 to 350 meters above sea level. This means they were quite high up on the mountain.
Scientists do not know of any major dangers to these frogs right now. The forests on Tagula Island were cut down about 100 years ago. However, they have grown back since then.
