Caatinga Horned Frog
The Caatinga horned frog, also known as Joazeiro Horned Frog, (Ceratophrys joazeirensis) was first described in 1986 by Mercadal and is part of the Pacman genus, Ceratophrys. The IUCN ranks C. joazeirensis as Least Concern and that its population is stable. It is extremely similar to Ceratophrys ornata, however itis genetically different.[1][2]
Geographical Distribution[edit | edit source]
C. joazeirensis's natural habitats are intermittent freshwater marshes, subtropical dry lowland grasslands, tropical dry lowland grasslands, and dry savannas in the Caatinga, Atlantic Forest, and Cerrado biomes in Brazil, where it is endemic. It habitates It can be observed between 0m and 200m above sea level.[1]
Ceratophrys joazeirens is the only member of Ceratophrys that occupies the, semiarid, Caatinga Biome.[2]
Description[edit | edit source]
Appearance[edit | edit source]
Caatinga Horned Frogs are a sexual dimorphism species where females are notably larger than the males.
Behavior[edit | edit source]
The majority, if not entirety, of activity of C. joazeirensis occurs during the rainy season making the study of this frog difficult. It spends the dry season burrowed, in dry or moist soils, and inactive awaiting the rainy season to prevent desiccation. Another strategy they engage in is creating a cocoon of dead skin to retain moisture during aestivation. Once the rainy season arrives they can be observed foraging and breeding.[2]
Diet[edit | edit source]
Similar to the rest of the Ceratophrys genus C. joazeirensis is an ambush predator. They remain stationary until prey come within reach. Caatinga Horned Frog were observed primarily feeding on anurans just as Ceratophrys Cranwelli. They also feed on coleopterans, ants, small vertebrate, and lastly plant material.[2]
Reproduction[edit | edit source]
During the wet season, like others in the Ceratophrys genus, breeding will be triggered by rainfall. The Caatinga Horned Frog rapidly breeds in permanent and intermittent ponds. They are primarily observed in marginal plants around these ponds.[1][3]
Water quality in the ponds will impact breeding as poor quality impacts species richness. Once the rainy season ends these ponds will remain for a few weeks to a couple of months. The males will begin calling at their ponds for the short breeding period. Once copulation has resulted in successful fertilization females will lay multiple large masses of approximately 2555.0 ± 1551.1 eggs at the pond.[2]
Once hatched, tadpole are carnivorous and develop speedily.[2]
Conservation[edit | edit source]
Threats[edit | edit source]
- Agriculture
- Livestock
- Ranching
- Hunting
Captivity[edit | edit source]
There is no knowledge currently that indicates any usage of the species in any industry, including the pet trade.[1]
Availability in captivity[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Caatinga Horned Frog, IUCN Red List - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/56339/172216729
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 On the natural history of the Caatinga Horned Frog, Ceratophrys joazeirensis (Anura: Ceratophryidae), a poorly known species of northeastern Brazil, Research Gate - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290472141_On_the_natural_history_of_the_Caatinga_Horned_Frog_Ceratophrys_joazeirensis_Anura_Ceratophryidae_a_poorly_known_species_of_northeastern_Brazil
- ↑ Caatinga Horned Frog Ceratophrys joazeirensis, iNaturalist - https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/22845-Ceratophrys-joazeirensis