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Boulenophrys brachykolos

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Boulenophrys brachykolos
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Megophryidae
Genus: Boulenophrys
Species:
B. brachykolos
Binomial name
Boulenophrys brachykolos
(Inger and Romer, 1961)
Synonyms
  • Xenophrys brachykolos (Inger and Romer, 1961)
  • Megophrys minor brachykolos
  • Megophrys brachykolos (Inger and Romer, 1961)

Boulenophrys brachykolos, the short-legged horned toad or Peak spadefoot toad, is a frog native to southern China and Vietnam.[2] It was first discovered in the Victoria Peak (locally known as The Peak), Hong Kong.[3] Many populations of Hong Kong are in the country parks, such as Lung Fu Shan Country Park.[4]

Taxonomy and distribution

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Whether Boulenophrys brachykolos is a valid species or only subspecies of Megophrys minor has been questioned, but molecular genetic evidence now supports its species status. Recent research has also shown that the species has a wider distribution than assumed before.[2] At the time of the IUCN assessment in 2004, the species was hardly known outside Hong Kong and it was considered to be an endangered species.[1] Reflecting the distribution now known to be much wider, the conservation status of Boulenophrys brachykolos is likely to change when the assessment is updated.

Description

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Tadpole of Megophrys brachykolos

Boulenophrys brachykolos are relatively small but robust frogs. Males have a snout-vent length of 34–40 mm (1.3–1.6 in) and females 40–48 mm (1.6–1.9 in). They have a strongly projecting snout and a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of the upper eyelid (the "horn" of a "horned toad").[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Michael Wai Neng Lau, Zhao Ermi, Annemarie Ohler, Peter Paul van Dijk (2004). "Megophrys brachykolos". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T57633A11667381. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T57633A11667381.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2021). "Boulenophrys brachykolos (Inger and Romer, 1961)". Amphibian Species of the World 6.1, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b Inger, Robert F.; Romer, J. D. (1961). "A new pelobatid frog of the genus Megophrys from Hong Kong". Fieldiana Zoology. 39: 533–538.
  4. ^ Sung, Yik Hei (2006). "Night safaris in Lung Fu Shan Country Park, Hong Kong". Porcupine!. 34 (September 2006). Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, HKU: 16–17. Retrieved 7 January 2013.