Pseudophilautus frankenbergi
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
AMPHIBIA |
ANURA |
RHACOPHORIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Pseudophilautus frankenbergi |
| Species Authority: |
(Meegaskumbura & Manamendra-Arachchi, 2005) |
| Synonym/s: |
Philautus frankenbergi Meegaskumbura & Manamendra-Arachchi, 2005
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Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Endangered
B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2006 |
| Assessor/s: |
Madhava Meegaskumbura, Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi |
| Reviewer/s: |
Global Amphibian Assessment Coordinating Team (Simon Stuart, Janice Chanson and Neil Cox) |
Justification:
Listed as Endangered because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 5,000km2, its Area of Occupancy is less than 500km2, it is currently known from only two locations, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its forest habitat.
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Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
This Sri Lankan endemic is restricted to the highest elevations of the Central Hills and is currently known only from Horton Plains National Park at 2,135m asl, and Namunukula Peak at 1,850-1,980m asl. It is separated from its sister species, Philautus auratus, by a 1,450m deep valley (Meegaskumbura and Manamendra-Arachchi 2005).
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| Countries: |
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| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
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Population
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| Population: |
The current population status is not known.
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| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
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Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
It lives in the sub-canopy of closed-canopy montane forests and cardamom plantations within the forest. Males call from their perches on leaves 1-3m above the ground (Meegaskumbura and Manamendra-Arachchi 2005). Breeding is by direct development, and the species is not dependent upon water. The female excavates a deep hole in the forest floor where the eggs are then deposited. It is dependent on relatively undisturbed closed-canopy cloud forest.
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| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
The major threat is clearing of the species' forest habitat, due to subsistence agriculture and logging. Drought is also an important threat.
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Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
Its range includes Horton Plains National Park. There is a need for further survey work to determine the current population status of this species.
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