Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Amphibia
- Order: Anura
- Family: Microhylidae
- Genus: Stumpffia
- Species: Stumpffia tetradactyla
The species belongs to the genus Stumpffia, a group of small, terrestrial microhylid frogs endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet tetradactyla derives from Greek roots meaning “four‑fingered,” referring to the reduced number of digits on the hind limbs typical of the species.
Description
Stumpffia tetradactyla is a diminutive frog, with adult snout‑vent length typically ranging from 10 to 15 mm. Morphologically, it is characterized by a compact body, a relatively broad head, and the presence of four toes on the hind feet (hence the name). The dorsal coloration is generally pale brown to gray, often with subtle darker mottling that provides camouflage among leaf litter. The ventral surface is lighter, usually cream or whitish. Detailed morphological measurements, including limb proportions and vocal sac structure, have been documented in the original species description.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is known only from Madagascar, with confirmed records from the eastern rain‑forest belt. It inhabits the leaf litter and low vegetation of primary and secondary humid forests, typically at elevations between 200 and 800 m above sea level. Stumpffia tetradactyla is a ground‑dwelling frog that is active during the night (nocturnal) and reproduces in temporary water bodies that form during the rainy season.
Ecology and Behavior
Observations indicate that S. tetradactyla forages on small invertebrates, such as mites and springtails, using a sit‑and‑wait strategy. Breeding is presumed to be explosive and synchronized with the onset of heavy rains, a pattern common to many Stumpffia species. Males produce a short, high‑pitched advertisement call, though the exact acoustic parameters have not been comprehensively recorded.
Conservation Status
As of the latest assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Stumpffia tetradactyla is listed as Data Deficient due to limited information on its population size, trends, and exact range. Habitat loss from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and logging poses potential threats, but the degree to which these factors impact the species remains uncertain. Further field surveys are required to evaluate its conservation needs accurately.
References
- Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. Accessed 2024.
- Glaw, F., Vences, M. (2007). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. third edition. Cologne: Vences & Glaw.
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Stumpffia tetradactyla entry. Accessed 2024.
Note: Specific details such as exact locality records, reproductive biology, and vocalization characteristics are based on limited published observations; additional research may refine these aspects.