Craugastor adamastus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Craugastor adamastus |
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Eleutherodactylus adamastus Campbell, 1994 |
The Craugastor adamastus is a special type of frog that belongs to the Craugastoridae family. This frog is found only in Guatemala. It is known from just one specific place near a village called Aldea Vista Hermosa. This area is on the northern side of the eastern Sierra de las Minas mountains. Scientists first found these frogs there between 1980 and 1981.
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What Does Its Name Mean?
The name adamastus was chosen to honor a famous scientist named Jay M. Savage. He made many important discoveries about frogs, especially a group of frogs called Eleutherodactylus (which this frog was first thought to be part of). The word adamastus comes from an old Greek word. It means "untamed," "wild," or "savage."
What Does This Frog Look Like?
Scientists have studied seven of these frogs. Three adult males and two adult females were measured. The male frogs are about 28 to 31 millimeters long from their snout (nose) to their vent (tail end). The female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring about 39 to 41 millimeters long.
The frog's snout looks like an oval when you look down from above. From the side, it looks flat. The area between its eyes and nose is clearly defined. Male frogs have a clear eardrum (called a tympanum), but it's harder to see on females.
Their fingers and toes have special pads called discs. Their toes have some webbing, but their fingers do not. The skin on their back, sides, and upper legs feels rough and bumpy. The biggest bumps are on their sides. Most of these frogs are brown all over. Some have a faint line between their eyes and a mark below their eye. The larger bumps on their skin are usually gray. Their belly is yellowish or cream-colored. It has many dark brown spots that form a swirly pattern on their belly and thighs.
Where Does This Frog Live and How Is It Protected?
The Craugastor adamastus frog lives in forests that have not been disturbed by people. These forests are a mix of two types: premontane moist forest and premontane wet forest. They live at an elevation of about 600 to 650 meters above sea level.
Scientists mostly saw these frogs sitting on fallen leaves or rocks near streams. One frog was even found hiding under a rock near a stream.
Sadly, the Craugastor adamastus is in danger. Its home is being destroyed because of farming and people cutting down trees for wood. Water pollution also harms them. Luckily, the place where these frogs were first found is now part of the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve. This means the area is protected.
Another big threat to many stream-dwelling frogs is a disease called Chytridiomycosis. This disease is caused by a fungus and has caused many frog populations to shrink. It could also affect the Craugastor adamastus frog.
See also
In Spanish: Craugastor adamastus para niños
