Fiji Ground Frog

Taxobox
name = Fiji Ground Frog
status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Ranidae
genus = "Platymantis"
species = "P. vitianus"
binomial = "Platymantis vitianus"
binomial_authority = (Dumeril, 1853)
synonyms = The Fiji Ground Frog or Fijian Ground Frog ("Platymantis vitianus") is a species of frog in the Ranidae family.It is endemic to Fiji.The Fiji ground frog is found on four larger islands (Taveuni, Vanua Levu, Ovalau, and Gau) and a small island, Viwa, (0.6 ha) off the eastern coast of the main island (Viti Levu) of the Fiji archipelago. The species maintains populations throughout the forested (primary, secondary and coastal/littoral) parts of these islands (Osborne, unpublished data).
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, plantations, rural gardens, and secondary/regrowth forest. It can also be found in grassland, along ephemeral streams, where it forages for nocturnal insects.
A largish frog, it can grow up to 100 g and to body lengths (SUL) of 110 mm. The larger individuals tend to be a very dull dark brown (sometimes with yellow spots on either side of the head near the tympanum). However, smaller adults and juvenile frogs can be highly polymorphic in coloration, with banding and stippling in darker or lighter hues of red, brown, green and curry-yellow. It is distinguished from the "Platymantis vitiensis" ("Platymantis vitiensis") by its larger size and smaller toe pads.
The Fiji ground is a nocturnal ground dweller, however, individuals have been encountered on low branches and leaves of riparian forest vegetation. It is thought to be a sit and wait predator, waiting for nocturnal insects to venture nearby.

ource

* Kuruyawa, J., Osborne, T., Thomas, N., Rounds, I., Morrison, C. and Morley, C. 2004.Distribution, abundance and conservation status of the Fijian Ground Frog (Platymantisvitianus). Unpublished report for the BP Conservation Programme.

* Ryan, P. 2000. Fiji's Natural Heritage. Exisle Publishing Limited, Auckland.
* Zug, G., Watling, D. & Morrison, C. 2004. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/17518/all Platymantis vitiana] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 23 July 2007.