Nanohyla perparva facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nanohyla perparva |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nanohyla perparva from Gunung Mulu, Sarawak, Malaysia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The Nanohyla perparva is a tiny frog that belongs to the Microhylidae family. It is also known as the least narrow-mouthed frog or Labang forest rice frog. This little frog is found only on the island of Borneo. You can find it in Kalimantan (Indonesia), Brunei, and in Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia). Scientists believe there might be a few different kinds of this frog, even though they all look similar.
Contents
About the Nanohyla Frog Family
Scientists group living things into families and genera. The Nanohyla perparva used to be in the Microhyla group. But in 2021, scientists studied these frogs more closely. They looked at their bodies and their DNA. Because of this new research, nine species, including N. perparva, were moved. They now belong to a new group called Nanohyla. This new name helps scientists better understand how these tiny frogs are related to each other.
What Does This Tiny Frog Look Like?
These frogs are very small! Adult male Nanohyla perparva frogs are about 10.5 to 11.9 millimeters long. That's less than half an inch! Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring about 12.4 to 14.5 millimeters.
Their hands have only three fingers. Their toe tips are a bit wider than the rest of their toes. These frogs are usually shades of brown on their backs. They have dark marks on their shoulders. You might also see a lighter band of color along their sides.
Tadpoles of the Nanohyla Frog
The baby frogs, called tadpoles, are very delicate. They are mostly see-through. But if you look at them from above, they appear dark gray. Their tails are special, ending in a thin, whip-like part called a flagellum.
Where Do These Frogs Live?
The Nanohyla perparva lives in rainforests. They prefer forests that have not been cut down. These frogs live in lowland areas, usually below 250 meters (about 820 feet) in elevation.
Adult frogs live hidden among the fallen leaves on the forest floor. They need water to have their babies. They lay their eggs in pools of rainwater, both large and small. After heavy rains, many male frogs gather in these water-filled spots. They might even fight to attract females.
What Do They Eat?
The tadpoles of the Nanohyla perparva are special eaters. They float in the middle of the water. They filter tiny bits of food from the water. This is called suspension feeding.
Protecting the Nanohyla Frog
Sadly, the Nanohyla perparva is facing threats. Its forest home is being cut down. Forests are often cleared to make room for oil palm farms. This loss of habitat is a big problem for these tiny frogs.
However, there is good news too. This species lives in several protected areas. These are places where the forests are safe from being cut down. Protecting these areas helps keep the Nanohyla perparva safe for the future.
