Tyrrhenian painted frog

Tyrrhenian painted frog
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Alytidae
Genus:	Discoglossus
Species:	D. sardus
Binomial name
Discoglossus sardus Tschudi, 1837

The Tyrrhenian painted frog (Discoglossus sardus) is a species of frog in the family Alytidae (formerly Discoglossidae). It is found in Sardinia, Corsica, and the Tuscan Archipelago.

Its natural habitats are temperate forests, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Description

The Tyrrhenian painted frog is very similar in appearance to the Corsican painted frog (D. montalentii), but has a noticeably less rounded snout and a more rounded back. The fourth finger of its front foot is spatulated rather than tapering and its hind legs are shorter. It grows to about 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long. Its colour varies and is either plain brown, grey, or reddish brown, or one of these colours with dark brown spots that do not have pale edges. The underside is pale.

Distribution and habitat

The Tyrrhenian painted frog is found in most parts of the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, but it is not present in the central highlands. It is also present on several small islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, such as Iles d'Hyères, Giglio, Montecristo, and the Monte Argentario peninsula in Tuscany. Its habitats include coastal plains, forest streams, maquis shrubland, and upland coniferous forests. Slow streams and pools are used for breeding, and this frog can tolerate brackish water.

Biology

Like other members of its family, the Corsican painted frog eats small invertebrates. Whether observations of this frog in the past were of D. sardus or D. montalentii is unclear, because they are so similar in appearance and were only recognised as different species in the late 20th century. Consequently, its reproductive habits are uncertain, but it is believed to lay its eggs in small groups or singly on the bottom of watercourses. They are brownish-black and 1 to 1.5 mm (0.04 to 0.06 in) in diameter with a thick, gelatinous casing.

Status

The IUCN has listed this frog as being of least concern. The populations in Corsica and Sardinia seem stable, but mainland populations are decreasing and populations on smaller islands may suffer from lack of genetic diversity. The main threats faced by this frog are degradation of its woodland and aquatic habitats, but it seems adaptable and able to tolerate some disturbance to its habitat.