Hylophorbus rufescens

Hylophorbus rufescens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Microhylidae
Genus: Hylophorbus
Species:
H. rufescens
Binomial name
Hylophorbus rufescens
Macleay, 1878
Synonyms[2]
  • Metopostira ocellata Méhely, 1901
  • Metopostira macra Van Kampen, 1906
  • Hylophorbus ocellatus (Méhely, 1901)
  • Phrynomantis ocellatus (Méhely, 1901)
  • Phrynomantis rufescens (Macleay, 1878)
  • Asterophrys rufescens (Macleay, 1878)

Hylophorbus rufescens is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to New Guinea and some nearby islands, and occurs in both West Papua (Indonesia) and Papua New Guinea. Common name red Mawatta frog has been coined for it.[2]

Three subspecies are recognized:[2]

  • Hylophorbus rufescens rufescens Macleay, 1878
  • Hylophorbus rufescens extimus Zweifel, 1972
  • Hylophorbus rufescens myopicus Zweifel, 1972

However, it is a species complex that is not yet fully resolved.[1][2] Because of continual uncertainties with delimitation of this species, its range cannot be determined accurately.[1]

The Fergusson Island form, which may be distinct from H. rufescens proper, is infected by the nematode Moaciria moraveci.[3]

Hylophorbus rufescens is a terrestrial frog living on the forest floor in tropical rainforests at elevations up to 3,570 m (11,710 ft) above sea level. It is nocturnal.

  1. ^ a b c IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Hylophorbus rufescens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T57827A152550734. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T57827A152550734.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Frost was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bursey et al. 2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).