Eleutherodactylus amadeus
Eleutherodactylus amadeus ( in the media sometimes referred to as Mozart frog) is a rare Froschlurch of the genus Antilles Pfeiffrösche ( Eleutherodactylus ), which is endemic to Haiti. Named is the way by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, because the audio spectrogram its characteristic call reminded the biologist Stephen Blair Hedges of music notes.
Features
Eleutherodactylus amadeus achieved in the females a maximum length of 25 mm. The back is smooth, the stomach is relatively smooth with fine furrows. The marking on the back is different. So there is unpatterned individuals and which with long dorsolateral ( rückenseitlichen ) strips with short rückenseitlichen stripes with narrow stripes at center back, back spots, or with wide stripes at center back. Occasionally, there are individuals who have combinations of the back patterns mentioned above. The dorsal color is light yellow, light brown, brown or dark brown, with males tending to a lighter color. The belly is white or pale yellow with light brown or brown swabs or large brown spots. The peritoneum in the testicle area is dark brown or black. Glands are present in the armpits, in the groins and thighs. The toe discs are slightly enlarged.
Vocalizations
His Nachtruf consists of a four-note muffled whistle. Each tone is identical in frequency and length, and is shown in intervals of 0.5 seconds. Apparently there is a two-note call during the evening and at dawn.
Occurrence
The species was in 1985 on the southern slopes of Morne Forman 15.1 km in a straight line west of Camp -Perrin discovered in the Département du Sud in Haiti. The distribution area is limited to the Massif de la Hotte.
Habitat and behavior
Eleutherodactylus amadeus inhabited forests with a closed canopy at altitudes 1000-2340 m. He is nocturnal. During the day, he stayed under rocks and tree trunks. At night he can be found in up to 50 cm height in the grass vegetation. In the late afternoon and early evening is listening to his reputation in the low grass vegetation. The nest, which is 11 to 27 eggs, located on the ground or under objects. The eggs reach a diameter 3.4 to 5.1 mm. The hatched juvenile frogs have a length of 4.2 to 4.4 mm.
Status
Eleutherodactylus amadeus is " critically endangered " by the IUCN in the categories ( critically endangered ) classified. Its continued existence is seriously threatened by habitat destruction. The main hazard is due to the slash and burn and charcoal production by the local population. The species occurs in Parc National Macaya. However, there is no administration, which ensures a protection of the area, so that the destruction progresses. Urgent protective actions on the Massif de la Hotte are necessary to preserve this type and other endangered amphibian species in the area from extinction.
After the type had been observed most recently in 1991, it was regarded as possibly extinct. In early 2011 it was announced that they could be rediscovered, along with five other rare Haitian frog species.