Nannophrys guentheri
Encyclopedia
Nannophrys guentheri is an extinct species of frog
in the Ranidae family. It was endemic to Sri Lanka
. The species was first identified in 1882 by George Boulenger
, but has not been observed since the type specimens were collected. It is not known where in Sri Lanka the specimens were found. It was a small species, with snout to vent length given as 28.5 mm for males.
It was named after the German-born British zoologist Albert Günther.
are in two indistinct groups behind the choanae (the inner part of the nostrils). Lower jaw has slight traces of bony prominences in front. Head is rather small and not bony. Snout is short, rounded, with angular canthus rostralis. Interorbital
space is narrower than the upper eyelid and tympanum
is not distinctly defined.
First finger is shorter than second and the difference of length between the first and second fingers is much greater than that between the second and third. The tips of fingers are pointed, while the toes have a short, but very distinct web at the base. Subarticular tubercles of fingers and toes are not well developed: inner metatarsal tubercle is elongate and rather indistinct while there is no outer tubercle. The hind limb being carried forwards along the body the tibiotarsal articulation reaches the tip of the snout. Skin is strongly tubercular above and smooth beneath. A fold of the skin unites the posterior edges of the upper eyelids, and extends from the eye, over the tympanum and to the shoulder. Upper parts are brown and marbled with darker colour. The upper lip and the sides of body and limbs have small light spots ; the hind limbs are cross-barred. The underside of the frog is uniform whitish. Males have two internal vocal sac
s.
The longer hind limbs and the smaller head give this species a much more slender appearance than the related Nannophrys ceylonensis
: the proportions of the fingers are also important differences between the two species.
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
in the Ranidae family. It was endemic to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. The species was first identified in 1882 by George Boulenger
George Albert Boulenger
George Albert Boulenger FRS was a Belgian-British zoologist who identified over 2000 new animal species, chiefly fish, reptiles and amphibians.-Life:...
, but has not been observed since the type specimens were collected. It is not known where in Sri Lanka the specimens were found. It was a small species, with snout to vent length given as 28.5 mm for males.
It was named after the German-born British zoologist Albert Günther.
Description
Vomerine teethVomer
The vomer is one of the unpaired facial bones of the skull. It is located in the midsagittal line, and articulates with the sphenoid, the ethmoid, the left and right palatine bones, and the left and right maxillary bones.-Biology:...
are in two indistinct groups behind the choanae (the inner part of the nostrils). Lower jaw has slight traces of bony prominences in front. Head is rather small and not bony. Snout is short, rounded, with angular canthus rostralis. Interorbital
Interorbital region
The interorbital region of the skull is located between the eyes, anterior to the braincase. The form of the interorbital region may exhibit significant variation between taxonomic groups....
space is narrower than the upper eyelid and tympanum
Tympanum (zoology)
The tympanum is an external hearing structure in animals such as frogs, toads, insects, and mammals, to name a few.-Anurans:In frogs and toads, it is located just behind the eye. It does not actually process sound waves; it simply transmits them to the amphibian's inner ear, which is protected...
is not distinctly defined.
First finger is shorter than second and the difference of length between the first and second fingers is much greater than that between the second and third. The tips of fingers are pointed, while the toes have a short, but very distinct web at the base. Subarticular tubercles of fingers and toes are not well developed: inner metatarsal tubercle is elongate and rather indistinct while there is no outer tubercle. The hind limb being carried forwards along the body the tibiotarsal articulation reaches the tip of the snout. Skin is strongly tubercular above and smooth beneath. A fold of the skin unites the posterior edges of the upper eyelids, and extends from the eye, over the tympanum and to the shoulder. Upper parts are brown and marbled with darker colour. The upper lip and the sides of body and limbs have small light spots ; the hind limbs are cross-barred. The underside of the frog is uniform whitish. Males have two internal vocal sac
Vocal sac
The vocal sac is the flexible membrane of skin possessed by most male frogs. The purpose of the vocal sac is usually as an amplification of their mating or advertisement call...
s.
The longer hind limbs and the smaller head give this species a much more slender appearance than the related Nannophrys ceylonensis
Nannophrys ceylonensis
Nannophrys ceylonensis is a species of frog in the Ranidae family.It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and rivers.-Source:...
: the proportions of the fingers are also important differences between the two species.