Hyloscirtus armata, the armed treefrog, is a hylid frog native to cloud forests on the eastern slope of the Andes in Peru and Bolivia, at elevations of 1400-2400 m (4600-7900 feet).Like its congenitors, this elusive species lives and reproduces alongside fast moving mountain streams, perching at night on nearby rocks and vegetation in the spray zone of waterfalls (Frost 2015; Köhler 2000).
Armed treefrogs are distinctly larger than other species of Hyloscirtus (stream treefrogs); males measure 68 mm (2.7 inches) snout vent length, females slightly larger.They are smooth-skinned and brown-grey with dark round spots and cream-colored splotches on top and have large spots on their flanks and pale bellies; males distinguish themselves from other species with dark spines on their thumbs and upper thighs. Their advertisement call, described as a high pitched “whirr” by Cadle and Altig (1991) is a single, repeated note.Tadpoles are clearly adapted for life in fast moving streams, with long muscular tails and their oral disc structured to attach to surfaces in high flow water; like adults they are notably larger than conspecifics, with total length of 78 mm (3.1 inches; Cadle and Altig 1991; Köhler 2000).
Deforestation and water pollution as a result of mining operations are significant concerns for this species, as armed treefrogs do not live away from streams, nor do they inhabit degraded areas. Chytrid fungus infection may also be a threat; this has not been confirmed but closely related frogs are known to test positive for this disease (Guayasamin et al. 2015; Angulo 2004).Currently, the H. armata population is recorded as locally common but decreasing; the IUCN gives them a status of “least concern.”They are found in several protected areas in Bolivia, including Madidi national park, and Peru including Manu national park (Angulo et al. 2004).
The 52.1 million year old genus Hyloscirtes (stream treefrogs) contains 34 described species consisting of three natural lineages: the armata group, the larinopygion group (sister lineage to the armata group), and the bogotensis group. H. armata is one of two described species in the armata group (clearly distinct from species in the other groups as adults and tadpoles), but the species is likely a cryptic complex that includes multiple species.More research is needed to distinguish species boundaries with the help of differences in advertisement calls (population differences are noted by Duellman et al. 1997), molecular markers and skin and iris coloration patterns (which are highly variable among sites in Peru and Bolivia) as the morphology and ecology in this species group is so conserved (Duellman et al. 1997; Faivovich et al. 2005; Guayasamin et al. 2015; De la Riva et al. 2000; Köhler 2000; Coloma et al. 2012).
Duellman et al. (1997) note that the original type specimen, described by Boulenger (1902) has a label showing it was obtained from “La Paz, Bolivia, 4000 m,” but that this altitude is far higher than the known range of H. armata (found up to 2500 m).Duellman et al. suggest that rather than the type locality, this was the shipping point of the specimen, which Boulenger credits as collected by “the late P.O. Simons.”
Hyloscirtus armatus is a species of frog in the family Hylidae found in Bolivia and Peru. It has been observed between 1700 and 2400 meters above sea level.[2][3] Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss. Most likely, this is a species complex, composed of several species.
Hyloscirtus armatus is a species of frog in the family Hylidae found in Bolivia and Peru. It has been observed between 1700 and 2400 meters above sea level. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss. Most likely, this is a species complex, composed of several species.
