Phytotriades
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Phytotriades auratus

Phytotriades is a genus of tree frogs in the family Hylidae. As currently delimited, the genus is monotypic and contains Phytotriades auratus, commonly known as the golden tree frog, bromeliad-dwelling treefrog, El Tucuche golden tree frog, or Trinidad heart-tongued frog.

Appearance

Males grow to 29 mm (1.1 in) and females to 35 mm (1.4 in) in snout–vent length. They have serrated teeth and sharp "fangs", larger in males than in females, on their mandibles. The dorsum is chocolate brown in colour and has two iridescent, golden yellow stripes.

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Males are territorial and can use their fangs in combat. Males are not known to call (this feature separates Phytotriades from Phyllodytes ). Fecundity is probably low, with maximally 5–6 tadpoles found in a single bromeliad tank. The tadpoles hatch at a length of 14 mm (0.55 in) and grow to 40 mm (1.6 in).

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Distribution

Geography

Phytotriades auratus is known from the summits of El Cerro del Aripo and El Tucuche, the two highest peaks in Trinidad, as well as from Cerro Humo on the Paria Peninsula, Venezuela, on the adjacent mainland. There is circumstantial evidence suggesting that the species might also occur (or have occurred) on the Isla Margarita.

Biome

References

1. Phytotriades Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytotriades
2. Phytotriades on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/55830/109536434

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