Micro Frog

Micro Frog
Micro Frog
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Pyxicephalidae
Genus: Microbatrachella
Hewitt, 1926
Species: M. capensis
Binomial name
Microbatrachella capensis
(Boulenger, 1910)

The Micro Frog (Microbatrachella capensis) is a minute species of frog in the Pyxicephalidae family, in the monotypic genus Microbatrachella.[citation needed] At around 18 millimetres (0.71 in) long it is one of the smallest regional species.[1] Their colour varies from rufous brown with dark mottling, to tan or green, depending on the population.

It is endemic to the south-western Cape area of South Africa, with a single population found on the Cape Flats of Cape Town and a series of populations on the eastern side of False Bay, from Kogelberg to Cape Agulhas.[2]

Its natural habitat is at low altitudes, in and around shallow, vegetated freshwater wetlands in coastal restioid fynbos, a mediterranean-type vegetation dominated by restios (Cape Reed). Typically these wetlands have some areas of permanent water along with other areas that are inundated during the winter - spring rainy season.

It is a critically endangered species threatened by habitat loss, mainly due to draining of wetlands for coastal strip development.[2]

References

  1. ^ Wolfart, Stephen (2006). The Southern Tip of Africa. David Philip Publishers. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-86486-698-1. 
  2. ^ a b Harrison, J., Minter, L. & Channing, A. (2004). "Microbatrachella capensis". 2006 Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/13318/0. Retrieved 19-09-2007. 


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