Kaloula aureata

Kaloula aureata, also known as the golden burrowing frog or golden bullfrog, is a species of frogs in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to southern Thailand with records from the Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces.[1][3][4] The validity of this poorly known species has been questioned, and Ohler (2003) tentatively considered it synonym of Kaloula pulchra macrocephala. However, following Pauwels and Chérot (2006),[4] it is now recognized as a valid species.[1][3][5]

Kaloula aureata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Microhylidae
Genus: Kaloula
Species:
K. aureata
Binomial name
Kaloula aureata
Nutphand, 1989[2]

Description

The lectotype is a male measuring 60 mm (2.4 in) in snout–vent length. The fingers are slender. The toe tips may be broadened into small disc-shaped pads. Dorsal skin is finely granulated. The body has brown ground colour with irregular yellow marks that give a golden aspect to the whole body – hence the specific name aureata. The belly is white.[4]

Habitat and conservation

There is little ecological information on this species.[1] It appeared to be rare at the time of collection of the type series in the 1970s.[4] It comes from a region dominated by semi-evergreen rainforest. Reproduction is assumed to take place in seasonal pools. Habitat loss (deforestation) is occurring in the region and is a possible threat to this species.[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. (2021). "Kaloula aureata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T136107A116009717. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T136107A116009717.en. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  2. Nutphand, Wirot (1989). "Bull frogs or burrowing frogs". Thai Zoological Center (in Thai). Vol. 4. Bangkok. pp. 1–10.
  3. Frost, Darrel R. (2023). "Kaloula aureata Nutphand, 1989". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  4. Pauwels, Olivier S. G. & Chérot, Frédéric. "Translation of the original description of Kaloula aureata Nutphand, 1989 (Anura: Microhylidae), with lectotype designation" (PDF). Hamadryad. 30: 172–175.
  5. "Kaloula aureata". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
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