Albanian water frog
Skadar water frog ( Pelophylax shqipericus )
The Skadar water frog ( Rana Pelophylax shqipericus or shqiperica ) is within the order of Anura to the family of the Real frogs ( Ranidae ). In addition, he is expected to follow appearance, biology and distribution of the water frogs, which are now provided by many authors in a separate genus Pelophylax. The species is widespread on the western coast of the Balkans from the south of Montenegro to Albania.
Features
The Skadar water frog has a body length of about 60 to 80 mm and is similar to the little water frog ( Pelophylax lessonae ) and the Epirus Water Frog ( Pelophylax epeiroticus ) and other kinds of water frog complex. A clear distinction is made possible primarily through molecular biological characteristics. He has clearly vaulted hock. A green longitudinal line on the center back is not present in all copies. The spawning season have the slightly smaller males oberseits a grass-green to yellow -olive coloring; otherwise the distinct pattern of large brown or black spots is reduced at this time. Your vocal sacs are weakly pigmented and olive green to gray. The females are light brown or olive green. The groin is pigmented striking yellow, as is the underside of the thighs. The belly is off-white and barely dotted.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Skadar water frog is restricted to the coastal lowlands of the Balkan Peninsula from the south of Montenegro to Albania. There are colonized heights up to 500 meters. Its habitat consists mainly of rich vegetation Still waters and includes marshes, canals and ditches in marshes, quiet water areas of slowly flowing waters and the shores of the eponymous lake Skadar.
System
The Skadar water frog belongs to the complex shape of the water frogs ( Pelophylax ), which is systematically not yet completely processed and is difficult to detect due to the many generations of hybrids. In a large part of their distribution range, the species is associated with the marsh frog, or rather the Balkan Frog ( Pelophylax kurtmuelleri ). Hybrid formation between these occurs regularly. However, the offspring seem to be sterile, which speaks for effective reproductive isolation barriers. More closely related and recognized water frog species on the southern Balkan Peninsula including the Mediterranean islands of Epirus Water Frog ( Pelophylax epeiroticus ) and the Crete - water frog ( P. cretensis ). The Karpathos Frog ( P. cerigensis ) is called the shape with unclear status. In Southwest Asia also occurs Bedriagas water frog on ( Pelophylax cf bedriagae ), which should also occur in Turkey, Cyprus and on several Greek islands to become dubious views.
Endangering
The Skadar water frog is classified in the red list of endangered species by the IUCN as endangered ( " Endangered " ) because it has a relatively small area of distribution of less than 5,000 km ², and this is highly fragmented. Moreover, a growing deterioration of its habitat is found. The main threat to this species is based on the pollution and reclamation of suitable habitats by agriculture, tourism and the colonization of their habitat. In addition, the frog is hunted and eaten commercially. An additional hazard represent imported water frogs supplant him in his habitat.