Forest rain frog
subsp. sylvestris
subsp. taeniatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Brevicipitidae
Genus: Breviceps
Species:
B. sylvestris
Binomial name
Breviceps sylvestris

The forest rain frog (Breviceps sylvestris) is a species of frog in the family Brevicipitidae. It is endemic to Limpopo, South Africa. Two allopatric subspecies are recognized: the nominate one, Breviceps sylvestris sylvestris, and Breviceps sylvestris taeniatus Poynton, 1963 from near Soutpansberg.[2][3] Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate grassland, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]

Forest rain frogs can range in colour from red, orange, yellow, green, and purple. They can also vary in size from a mere 2 cm and grow to be about 10 cm in body length. The purple frogs are known to contain a defence mechanism consisting of a toxic chemical on their slimy exterior. If contact is made with this toxin the temporary effect of paralysis can occur.

Breviceps sylvestris taeniatus is a subspecies of the forest rain frog and is found near Soutpansberg. It is separated from the main species by uninhabitable terrain.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group.; South African Frog Re-assessment Group; et al. (SA-FRoG) (2016). "Breviceps sylvestris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T57721A77162960. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T57721A77162960.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "AmphibiaWeb - Breviceps sylvestris". amphibiaweb.org. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  3. ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Breviceps sylvestris FitzSimons, 1930". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "AmphibiaWeb - Breviceps sylvestris". amphibiaweb.org. Retrieved 2022-06-07.


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