Italian stream frog
The Italian stream frog (Rana italica), also called the Italian frog, is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. The species is endemic to Italy and San Marino.
| Italian stream frog | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Rana italica | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ranidae |
| Genus: | Rana |
| Species: | R. italica |
| Binomial name | |
| Rana italica Dubois, 1987 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Description
Adults of R. italica have a head-body length of 7–7.5 cm (2.8–3.0 in). The hind legs are long, but not extremely so. If the hind leg is pressed forward along the body, the "heel" (tibio-tarsal articulation) does not extend beyond the snout. There are pearly granules on the ventral surfaces of the hind legs.[3]
Vocalization
The male R. italica calls only underwater. Calls are usually inaudible to a human listener, unless the calling frog is only slightly below the surface. Three different calls are known: a low repeated "grongron", a modulated "squack", and a short "uh".[4]
Habitat
The natural habitats of R. italica are rivers, intermittent rivers, swamps, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes.
Conservation status
R. italica is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
References
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Rana italica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T58624A89705522. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T58624A89705522.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- Frost D (2018). "Rana italica ". Amphibian Species of the World 6.0, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History.
- Vanni S, Nistra A (2006). Atlante degli Anfibi e dei Rettili della Toscana. Florence: Università degli studi di Firenze, Museo di storia naturale sezione di zoologia La Specola. 379 pp. (in Italian).
- Razzetti, Edoardo; Sacchi, Roberto; Platz, James E. (2006). "First description of the acoustic repertoire of Rana italica (Anura, Ranidae)". Herpetological Journal 16: 229-231.
Further reading
- Dubois A (1987) ("1985"). "Notes sur les grenouilles brunes (groupe de Rana temporaria Linné, 1758). IV. Note préliminaire sur Rana graeca Boulenger, 1891 ". Alytes, Paris 4: 135–138. (Rana graeca italica, new subspecies). (in French).
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