Vietnamese Mossy Frog
| Theloderma corticale | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Rhacophoridae |
| Genus: | Theloderma |
| Species: | T. corticale |
| Binomial name | |
| Theloderma corticale | |
| (Boulenger, 1903) | |
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The Vietnamese Mossy Frog (Theloderma corticale) is also known as the Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog, Moss Bug-eyed Frog, and Warty Tree Frog. It is rated as Least Concern by the IUCN in August 2022, but has a declining population trend. It was first described in 1903 by Boulenger. It is a member of the Rhacophoridae taxonomic family and Theloderma genus. Theloderma has approximately 24 species all of which are native to south and east Asia. They have been observed living for twelve to fifteen years in captivity. Lifespan in the wild is unknown. Theloderma can be translated to "bumpy skin" or "nipple skin."[1][2][3][4][5]
Except for T. licin and T. laeve bumpy skin is a hallmark of the Theloderma genus.[5]
Geographic Range[edit | edit source]
Its natural range is China, Vietnam, and Laos. Within China it can be found in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan with possible populations in Fujian, Hunan, Yunnan, and Zheijiang. It can be found between 500m and 1320m above sea level.[6][7]
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It was reclassified as Rhacophorus fruhstorferi by Ahl in 1927 and Theloderma kwangsiense by Liu & Hu in 1962. It was previously thought that the Vietnamese population was its own species. Upon revision in China T. kwangsiens has become synonymous with T. corticale.[7]
Habitat[edit | edit source]
The primary habitat of this species is primary subtropical and tropical forests, but they have also been observed inhabiting manmade reservoirs.[8] They can frequently be observed on steep rocky cliffs, in water-filled tree hole, and wet moss.[7][9] Populations on cliffsides have some form of protection from agriculture.[1][8]
Lifespan[edit | edit source]
In captivity they can reach ages older than 10 years with lifespans of 12-15 years recorded at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. It is thought that a lifespan of 20 years is not unheard of.[3][5][10][11]
Appearance[edit | edit source]
This is a frog in high demand due to its mottled green and brown appearance which resembles moss; it acts as camouflage. The rough, uneven skin with tubercles and many spins contributes to this camouflage. At rest they appear flat and approximately as wide as they are long. This behavior helps them hide from predators and ambush prey.[8]
Their toes have large sticky pads and their underbelly is soft. Snout to vent length is approximately 2.4in. Due to sexual dimorphism females tend to be larger and can reach sizes of 3.1in to 3.5in.
Behavior[edit | edit source]
There are nocturnal frogs that happen to be semi-aquatic. The majority of their day is spending hiding under rocks or niches or on top of rock outcroppings; areas where their camouflage is efficient. They have been observed in floating plants as well. When frightened this species curls into a ball and engages in tonic immobility.[8]
Diet[edit | edit source]
Vietnamese Mossy Frogs consume crickets, cockroaches, and earthworms. In captivity they are also fed waxworms, Phoenix worms, Dubia roaches, and hornworms.[12]
Calls[edit | edit source]
Vietnamese Mossy Frogs are able to project their voice up to 10 to 13ft (3 to 4m). This makes locating the frogs difficult in the wild.[12]
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Reproduction[edit | edit source]
Males have an observable breeding callus on the inner portion of their inside finger.[12]
Reproduction occurs between March and December. Males call to females to demonstrate fitness. The calls are found to be quiet and melodious. Females will deposit a gelatinous mass of eight to ten eggs right above the water line in water-filled cavities in rocks, holes in trees and roots or floating plants. Males fertilize eggs as they are being expelled or will walk over the mass after they have been laid.[8][9][12][13]
Tadpoles[edit | edit source]
It takes anywhere from seven to twenty days for the tadpoles to hatch. Upon hatching they will drop to the pool of water where the remain until they metamorphosize into froglets a process that can take anywhere from 3 up to 8 or more months depending on environmental conditions. The warmer the water the quicker metamorphosis occurs. Once metamorphosis is complete the froglet will search for an adult habitat.[8][12]
Captivity[edit | edit source]
The first recorded captive breeding of Mossy Frogs happened in England which kickstarted the pet trade demand for this species.[8] This species can readily be bred in captivity.[13]
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Threats[edit | edit source]
- Deforestation[14]
- Agriculture
- Hunting
- Logging
- Water management; dams
- Harvesting for pet trade[1]
Pet Trade[edit | edit source]
It has been observed selling between $60-120 per individual.[15] It can also be found in public and private zoos.
The Mossy Frog is protected in Surinam and portions of the international trade.[11]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog (Theloderma corticale) IUCN Red List - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/219709082/219667057
- ↑ FrogPets Vietnamese Mossy Frog Care Sheet & Pet Guide | https://www.frogpets.com/vietnamese-mossy-frog/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Joshs Frogs Vietnamese Mossy Frog - Theloderma corticale (Captive Bred) | https://joshsfrogs.com/sp/vietnamese-mossy-frog-captive-bred-for-sale-tree014
- ↑ Northwest Zoological Supply | https://nwzoo.com/pdf/NWZoo_Vietnamese_Mossy_Frog_Care.pdf
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Reptiles Magazine | https://reptilesmagazine.com/care-and-breeding-the-vietnamese-mossy-frog/
- ↑ Brakels, P., Nanthavong, C. and Nguyen, T.V. 2021. Geographic distribution: Theloderma corticale. Herpetological Review 52: 792.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Hou, M., Yu, G-H., Chen, H-M., Liao, C-I., Zhang, L., Chen, J., Li, P-P. and Orlov, N.L. 2017. The taxonomic status and distribution range of six Theloderma species (Anura: Rhacophoridae) with a new record in China. Russian Journal of Herpetology 24: 99-127.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Mossy Frog Theloderma corticale, Aquarium of the Pacific - https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/mossy_frog
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Orlov, N.L. 1997. Die Theloderma-arten Vietnams. Herpetofauna 19(110): 5-9.
- ↑ Tails and Scales Vietnamese Mossy Tree Frog CBB | https://tailsandscales.ca/products/copy-of-senegal-walking-frog
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Aquarium of the Pacific - Mossy Frog | https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/mossy_frog
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Reptile Discovery Center Vietnamese mossy frog Theloderma corticale, Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute - https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/vietnamese-mossy-frog
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Orlov, N.L., Dutta, S.K., Ghate, H.V. and Kent, Y. 2006. New species of Theloderma from Kon Tum Province (Vietnam) and Nagaland State (India) [Anura: Rhacophoridae]. Russian Journal of Herpetology 13: 135-154.
- ↑ Sodhi, N.S., Lee, T.M., Koh, L.P. and Brook, B.W. 2009. A meta-analysis of the impact of anthropogenic forest disturbance on Southeast Asias biotas. Biotropica 41: 103-109.
- ↑ Rowley, J., Brown, R., Bain, R, Kusrini, M., Inger, R., Stuart, B., Wogan, G., Thy, N., Chan-ard, T, Trung, C.T., Diesmos, A., Iskandar, D.T., Lau, M., Ming, L.T., Makchai, S., Nguyen, Q.T. and Phimmachak, S. 2010. Impending conservation crisis for Southeast Asian amphibians. Biology Letters 6(3): 336-338.