Leptodactylus fallax

Leptodactylus fallax
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Leptodactylidae
Genus: Leptodactylus
Species:
L. fallax
Binomial name
Leptodactylus fallax
(Müller, 1926)

Leptodactylus fallax, commonly known as the mountain chicken or giant ditch frog, is a critically endangered species of frog that is native to the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Montserrat. The population declined by at least 80% from 1995 to 2004,[2][3] with further significant declines later.[1][4] A tiny wild population remains on Dominica where there are efforts to preserve it, but few or none survive in the wild on Montserrat and its survival now relies on a captive breeding project involving several zoos.[1][4] The initial decline was linked to hunting for human consumption, along with habitat loss and natural disasters, but the most serious threat now appears to be the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, which was the primary cause of the most recent rapid decline.[1][4][5] On Montserrat it is known as the mountain chicken, while on Dominica it is known as the crapaud, which is simply the French word for "toad".

  1. ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2017). "Leptodactylus fallax". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T57125A3055585. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T57125A3055585.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ John Fa; Blair Hedges; Beatrice Ibéné; Michel Breuil; Robert Powell; Christopher Magin (2010). "Leptodactylus fallax". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T57125A11586775. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T57125A11586775.en.
  3. ^ "Leptodactylus fallax". AmphibiaWeb. Berkeley, California. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Jameson, T.; B. Tapley; A. Barbón; M. Goetz; L. Harding; J. López; K. Upton; G. García (2019). "Best Practice Guidelines for the Mountain Chicken (Leptodactylus fallax)" (PDF). European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  5. ^ Richard, Black (17 March 2009). "Fungus devastates 'chicken' frog". BBC News.