Hyloxalus sauli
Hyloxalus sauli is a species of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae. It is found on the eastern Andean slopes in Putumayo, Colombia, and in Sucumbíos, Napo, Orellana, and Pastaza Provinces, Ecuador. It is named after William Saul from the University of Kansas Natural History Museum.
Description
Males measure and females in snout–vent length. Dorsum and flanks are coffee-coloured; dorsum has three large blotches. There is a complete, pale oblique lateral stripe. Most individuals also have a ventrolateral stripe that is complete, diffuse, or interrupted. There is some sexual dimorphism in ventral coloration.Reproduction
Male call is a series of two or three quickly repeated peeps. Males and females form pairs and defend territories that can be stable over several months. These are defined by deep burrows used as shelter. Fecundity of females is 6–11 oocytes, whereas males have been recorded carrying clutches of 9–13 tadpoles.The tadpoles are clear-brown in color with other brown marks and a black mark on the tail.
Habitat and conservation
Hyloxalus sauli occurs in primary and secondary forests at elevations of above sea level. It lives under leaf-litter near streams and on overhanging banks of permanent streams.The frog's range includes several protected parks in Ecuador but none in Colombia: Parque Nacional Yasuní, Reserva de Producción de Fauna Cuyabeno, Reserva Biológica Limoncocha, Estación de Biodiversidad Tiputini.
Hyloxalus sauli is relatively widespread but uncommon species. It is assessed as being of "least concern", but habitat loss and degradation can be localised threats. The IUCN cites habitat loss in favor of agriculture, mining, livestock cultivation, and logging as threats.