Breviceps gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758)
EOL Text
Major Threats
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| Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
| Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/3069 |
Conservation Actions
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| Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
| Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/3069 |
The cape rain frog or giant rain frog (Breviceps gibbosus) is a species of frog in the Brevicipitidae family.[2] It is endemic to South Africa, where it inhabits Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, known as fynbos, pastureland on farms, rural gardens, and urban areas. It is threatened by causes of habitat loss, such as urban sprawl and spread of agriculture.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b South African Frog Re-assessment Group (SA-FRoG), IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, 2010. Breviceps gibbosus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2.
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Names described as 'Breviceps gibbosus'". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 5.6 (9 January 2013). Retrieved 30 November 2013.
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This species is endemic to the south-western Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it ranges from the central Cape Peninsula in the south, to west of Citrusdal in the north. There is a distribution gap in the Swartland. It ranges from sea level up to 1,000 m asl. Its Extent of Occurrence is 6,700 km2, with an Area of Occupancy estimated to be 10% of its Extent of Occurrence.
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| Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
| Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/3069 |
B. gibbosus is endemic to South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program)
Females reach 80 mm in length and males are smaller (De Villiers 1988). The dorsal surface is rough in texture, and mottled in light and dark brown. A broad, central, creamy band with deeply serrated, dark edges is sometimes present, but more often is broken up to form two longitudinal rows of irregular, creamy patches. The ventrum is creamy white with brown mottling and has a rough texture (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
The only species with which B. gibbosus sometimes shares habitat is the much smaller B. montanus, which has a higher pitched, whistle-like call. The calls of B. fuscus and B. acutirostris are somewhat similar to those of B. gibbosus but these species are not sympatric with gibbosus (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program)
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
- Terrestrial
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| Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
| Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/3069 |
De Villiers (1988b) found that most localities where B. gibbosus occurs have fine grained, heavy substrates (loamy soils and clays) derived from shales or granites. B. gibbosus also occurs in disturbed and altered habitats, such as pine plantations and suburban gardens (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
Channing (2001) reports that B. gibbosus survives the long, dry summers by aestivation underground. Individuals produce a thin cocoon around themselves, with nostrils plugged and body inflated (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).