Anomaloglossus rufulus


Anomaloglossus rufulus is a species of frog in the family Aromobatidae. It is endemic to Venezuela where it is known from a few tepuis in the Chimantá Massif in the Bolívar state.

Description

Males measure and females, based on the only known specimen, in snout–vent length. The head is slightly longer than it is wide. The tympanum is barely visible in some specimens but distinct in others. Skin is shagreened. The dorsum is chocolate brown and patternless apart from small irregular dark brown spots. The upper lip has four small irregular white spots. The ventrum has dark brown background with white or whitish spots and small dark spots.

Habitat

It occurs in high montane environments at elevations between above sea level, on the tops of tepuis. The female holotype was collected in a Bonnetia forest, while calling males have been found in crevices and inaccessible walls, usually in muddy soil among patches of vegetation consisting of, e.g., Brocchinia tatei. Tadpoles probably belonging to this species has been found in creeks with acidic water.
The range of this species is within the Canaima National Park.

Threats

Both the IUCN and Venezuelan Fauna Red List classify this frog as near threatened. Climate change could harm this frog by impacting its reproductive success. Human-caused fires can damage its habitat. The frog may also be threatened by emerging diseases, bacterial, viral, and fungal.