Italian stream frog
Italian frog ( Rana italica )
The Italian frog ( Rana italica ) is within the order of Anura to the family of frogs rights and also to the genus of the Real frogs. In addition, he is expected to follow appearance, lifestyle and relationships to form complex of brown frogs. It is only to be found in the hill and mountain country of Italy.
Features
The Italian frog has a body length of about 40 to 60 mm. It is a small and relatively plump brown frog with a short snout and long legs. He is very similar to the Greek frog ( Rana graeca ), as its subspecies he was also originally considered. The dorsal coloration is variable brownish, reddish or yellowish with bright, blurry spots. The belly is whitish, the throat dark with light spots and a longitudinal stripe in the middle. The skin is, apart from the dorsolateral glandular strips, quite smooth. The males have internal vocal sacs.
In -laid forward hind leg above the hock, the tip of the snout extends beyond, making the frog of some other species is distinguishable.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Italian frog is limited to the greater part of the Italian boot southeast of Genoa, where the frog mainly in the hilly and mountainous country ( Apennines ) is to be found up to 1700 m altitude. As habitat it prefers cool and oxygen-rich mountain streams and springs and is strongly bonded to the water. The ground is rocky and the water vegetationsarm.
Way of life
The Italian Frog's reproductive period is in the months of February to April. Here, the female lays Eiballen from 200 to 1000 eggs under stones near the shore from (compare Greek frog).
Endangering
The Italian frog is classified in the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN as not at risk ( "Least Concern" ), because it has a relatively large area of distribution, greater adaptability to habitat changes and a relatively large total population is assumed. The main risk for this type proceeds from habitat loss, which occurs due to the increasing modification of habitats by agriculture and settlement.
Legal protection status
- Fauna-Flora -Habitat Directive ( FFH Directive ) Annex IV ( strictly protected )
- Federal Species Protection Ordinance ( BArtSchV ): specially protected