Phyllodytes auratus
Encyclopedia
Phyllodytes auratus is a species of frog
in the Hylidae family.
It is endemic to the island of Trinidad
in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
.
Its natural habitat
of tropical montane forest and elfin woodland at elevations between 800 metres and 940 metres is often shrouded in cool misty cloud cover. Commonly referred to as the El Tucuche Golden Tree Frog, its presence has been confirmed only at the summits of two mountains; El Cerro del Aripo
and El Tucuche
, (the two highest peaks in Trinidad
).
Phyllodytes auratus is closely associated with the giant bromeliad Glomeropitcairnia
erectiflora. Water collects in between the bracts of these plants and the frogs lay their eggs and the tadpoles develop entirely within the subsequently formed pools.
It is threatened by habitat loss.
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 Hylidae family.
It is endemic to the island of Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
.
Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
of tropical montane forest and elfin woodland at elevations between 800 metres and 940 metres is often shrouded in cool misty cloud cover. Commonly referred to as the El Tucuche Golden Tree Frog, its presence has been confirmed only at the summits of two mountains; El Cerro del Aripo
El Cerro del Aripo
El Cerro del Aripo, at , is the highest point in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is part of the Aripo Massif and is located in the Northern Range on the island of Trinidad, northeast of the town of Arima.-References:...
and El Tucuche
El Tucuche
El Tucuche is the second highest peak in Trinidad's northern range and is noted for its interesting plateau shape.Its summit is home to the Trinidad endemic El Tucuche Golden Tree Frog , found only on El Tucuche and on Trinidad's highest peak El Cerro del Aripo...
, (the two highest peaks in Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
).
Phyllodytes auratus is closely associated with the giant bromeliad Glomeropitcairnia
Glomeropitcairnia
Glomeropitcarnia is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is from the Latin “glomero” and the genus Pitcairnia....
erectiflora. Water collects in between the bracts of these plants and the frogs lay their eggs and the tadpoles develop entirely within the subsequently formed pools.
It is threatened by habitat loss.
Source
- Hardy, J. 2004. Phyllodytes auratus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 21 July 2007.
- Murphy, J.C. 1997. Amphibians and reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago. Malabar. Florida.