Nosy Be Burrowing Frog

Up to 45 mm, M 33-39 mm. Tympanum distinct, greater than eye size. Eyes small. Tibiotarsal articulation reaches the tympanum. Finger 2 slightly longer than finger 4. Short barbels on the lower lip. Skin of the back with convergent longitudinal rows of tubercles. Dorsum red brown to blackish. Ventral surface less pigmented. Calling males with a very large vocal sac (Glaw and Vences 2007). Similar species: R. coudreaui has no barbels on the lower lip (Glaw and Vences 2007).Taken with permission from Glaw and Vences (2007) and Nussbaum et. al (2008).

Occurs in Sambava-Andapa, Nosy Be, Nosy Komba (Glaw and Vences 2007) from sea level up to 300m asl (Nussbaum et. al 2008).

Habits: Largely fossorial, only during heavy rain on the forest floor. Inhabits burrows under leaf litter in primary and secondary forest. Highest calling intensity just before and during heavy rain (day and night). Excavated juveniles and adults can show a defence position with stretched hindlimbs and concave dorsum. Two adults together with 18 juveniles of 9-11 mm were found under a big stone in a burrow in December, indicating parental care (Glaw and Vences 2007). Calls: Single notes of low frequency, resembling the mooing of a cow (Glaw and Vences 2007).

This species is listed as vulnerable because it is only known from two localities (Nussbaum et. al 2008). Though it occurs in a protected area, the R�serve Naturelle Int�grale de Lokobe, its forest habitat is receding because of subsistence agriculture (including livestock grazing), timber extraction, charcoal manufacture, fire, and expanding human settlements (Nussbaum et. al 2008).

Rhombophryne testudo is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to Madagascar.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, plantations, and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.