Pseudophilautus halyi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pseudophilautus halyi |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Rhacophoridae |
| Genus: | Pseudophilautus |
| Species: |
†P. halyi
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| Binomial name | |
| †Pseudophilautus halyi (Boulenger, 1904)
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Pseudophilautus halyi, also known as the Pattipola shrub frog, was a type of frog that is now extinct. This means there are no more of these frogs alive today. It belonged to a family of frogs called Rhacophoridae.
This special frog lived only in Sri Lanka. Scientists only know about it from one single frog, called a holotype. This frog was found way back in 1899 or even earlier. The frog's scientific name, halyi, was given to honor Amyrald Haly. He was the first director of the Ceylon Museum. He also wrote a book about the "Natural History of Ceylon" and was the person who found the only known Pattipola shrub frog.
What the Pattipola Shrub Frog Looked Like
The only frog ever found was an adult male. It was about 28 mm (1.1 in) long from its snout (nose) to its vent (tail end). That's about the length of a small paperclip!
This frog had a strong, sturdy body. Its snout was a bit flat on top and rounded when you looked at it from the side. It had a visible tympanum, which is like an eardrum on the side of its head. There was also a clear fold of skin above this eardrum. The edges of its snout, near its eyes, were sharp.
The frog's skin was not smooth. It felt bumpy or grainy, with small, lumpy warts. Its fingers had special skin flaps, like fringes. Its toes were partly webbed in the middle, which might have helped it climb or move around.
When the frog was preserved in alcohol, its upper body was a plain brown color. Its belly and underside were a pale yellowish-brown.
Where the Pattipola Shrub Frog Lived
The only known Pattipola shrub frog was found in 1899 (or before) in a place called Pattipola, Sri Lanka. This area is very high up, about 1,890 m (6,200 ft) above sea level.
Even though scientists have searched a lot in modern times, no other Pattipola shrub frogs have ever been found. This means the species is truly extinct.
Scientists don't know exactly what kind of home this frog needed to live. They also don't know for sure why it disappeared. However, it's very likely that the frog became extinct because its natural home was destroyed.
