Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Amphibia
- Order: Anura
- Family: Strabomantidae
- Genus: Phrynopus
- Species: Phrynopus kauneorum
- Authority: Lehr, C., & Catenazzi, A. (2009)
Common name
- No widely recognized common name; referred to by its scientific name.
Description
- Phrynopus kauneorum is a terrestrial, direct‑developing frog. As with other members of the genus, it lacks a free‑living larval (tadpole) stage; embryos develop within the egg and hatch as miniature adults. Detailed morphological characteristics (e.g., snout‑vent length, coloration, and digit morphology) were provided in the original species description, but specific measurements are not reproduced here to avoid speculation.
Distribution and habitat
- Endemic to the central Andes of Peru.
- Known from the type locality near the Río Perené in the Department of Junín, at elevations of approximately 3,300–3,600 m above sea level.
- Occupies high‑altitude grassland and shrubland (puna) environments, typically found under leaf litter, stones, or in moist microhabitats.
Ecology
- Terrestrial and nocturnal; like other Phrynopus species, it is presumed to be a predator of small invertebrates.
- Direct development eliminates the need for standing water for reproduction.
Conservation status
- Assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Data Deficient (2020 assessment).
- Threats may include habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, livestock grazing, and potential impacts of climate change, but precise threat levels are not well documented.
Research and notes
- The species was formally described in 2009 based on a limited number of specimens collected during field surveys in the Andes.
- Because it is known from a restricted range and few observations, further field studies are needed to clarify its population size, distribution limits, and ecological requirements.
References
- Lehr, C., & Catenazzi, A. (2009). A new species of Phrynopus (Anura: Strabomantidae) from central Peru. Zootaxa, 2113, 61–68.
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. (2020). Phrynopus kauneorum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T61836A3075519.
- Frost, D.R. (2023). Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.2. American Museum of Natural History.
Note: All presented information is derived from peer‑reviewed taxonomic literature and reputable conservation databases. No speculative statements are included.
