Insuetophrynus

Insuetophrynus is a special group of frogs with only one species, called Insuetophrynus acarpicus or Barrio's frog. This unique frog lives only in one place on Earth: Chile. It is found along the Valdivian Coast Range, a beautiful area between towns such as Chanchán, Queule, and Mehuín.

Barrio's frog is rare and lives nowhere else in the world. Scientists have found it only in a few places, which makes it very special. The frog lives between 50 meters and almost 500 meters above sea level.

Because this frog is found in only a small area and in very few places, it is considered rare. Protecting its home is important to make sure Barrio's frog can continue to live there.

Description

Adult males of this frog species are about 41 to 56 millimetres long, and females are a little smaller, about 35 to 53 millimetres. They have strong bodies with powerful arms and legs, which help them jump well. Their toes are partly webbed, but their fingers are short and thick, with no webbing.

These frogs have heads wider than their bodies, with broad, rounded snouts and big eyes. Their backs are reddish-brown with some white bumps, and their hind legs have darker bands. Their throats are pinkish-yellow, and their stomachs are pale. The skin on their back and belly feels bumpy, but their throats are smooth. Young tadpoles can grow up to 61 millimetres long, with green-brown skin and light brown spots on their tails.

Habitat and conservation

Insuetophrynus acarpicus lives in coastal streams in temperate forest. These frogs stay in the water a lot, even though they are not strong swimmers. During the day, adults hide under stones, and they come out at night to find food along the stream edges. Tadpoles live under stones in muddy spots where the water moves slowly.

This species lives in a very small area along the coast. Its home is at risk because of activities like clearing forests and planting new ones.