[[3] It is the first amphibian named after David Attenborough.[4][5] It was discovered by Edgar Lehr and Rudolf von May during a period of two years of studying the forests of Peru.[3] The species description was based on 34 specimens caught at elevations of {{convert|3400|–|3936|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.[2]] Description
Adult males measure {{convert|15|-|19|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} and adult females {{convert|19|-|23|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in snout–vent length. The snout is short and rounded. No tympanum is present. The finger and toe tips are narrow and rounded, without circumferential grooves; neither lateral fringes nor webbing is present. The dorsal coloration ranges from pale gray to reddish brown to brownish olive. There are scattered flecks and sometimes an X-shaped scapular mark. Most specimens have dark grayish-brown canthal and supratympanic stripes. Juveniles are paler in coloration, yellowish to reddish brown, bearing contrasting dark brown flecks and distinct canthal and supratympanic stripes.[2]
Reproduction occurs by direct development, that is, there is no free-living tadpole stage.[1] The average egg diameter is {{convert|3.5|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}.[2]
Habitat and conservation
Pristimantis attenboroughi is known from upper montane forests and high Andean grasslands at {{convert|3400|–|3936|m|abbr=on}} above sea level where specimens were found living inside moss pads. A female was found guarding a clutch of 20 eggs inside moss.[1][2]Although this species could qualify as "endangered" or "vulnerable" because of its small range,[2][6] the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed it in 2018 as "near threatened".[1] The category was chosen because the overall population is believed to be stable, the species is common, and much of the known range is within a protected area.[1]
References
1. ^1 2 3 4 5 {{cite journal | author = IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group | title = Pristimantis attenboroughi | journal = IUCN Red List of Threatened Species | volume= 2018 | page = | publisher = IUCN | year = 2018 | url = https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/114104884/0 | doi = | accessdate = 28 July 2018}}
2. ^1 2 3 4 5 {{cite journal |last1=Lehr |first1=Edgar |last2=von May |first2=Rudolf |last-author-amp=yes |title=A new species of terrestrial-breeding frog (Amphibia, Craugastoridae, Pristimantis) from high elevations of the Pui Pui Protected Forest in central Peru |journal=ZooKeys |date=2017 |volume=660 |pages=17–42 |doi=10.3897/zookeys.660.11394|doi-access=free}}
3. ^1 {{Cite web|url=https://blog.pensoft.net/2017/03/07/new-frog-from-the-peruvian-andes-is-the-first-amphibian-named-after-sir-david-attenborough/|title=New frog from the Peruvian Andes is the first amphibian named after Sir David Attenborough|date=2017-03-07|website=Pensoft blog|access-date=2017-03-09}}
4. ^{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/david-attenborough-rubber-frog-andes-mountains-first-amphibian-british-naturalist-bbc-planet-earth-a7616521.html|title=Completely new species of frog discovered, named after David Attenborough|date=2017-03-07|work=The Independent|access-date=2017-03-09|language=en-GB}}
5. ^{{Cite news|url=https://phys.org/news/2017-03-frog-peruvian-andes-amphibian-sir.html|title=New frog from the Peruvian Andes is the first amphibian named after Sir David Attenborough|access-date=2017-03-09}}
6. ^{{Cite web|url=https://www.iwu.edu/news/2017/lehrs-team-names-new-frog-after-attenborough.html|title=Illinois Wesleyan: Lehr's Team First to Name Amphibian After BBC's Attenborough|website=www.iwu.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-03-09}}