''Hemiphractus proboscideus'', or the Sumaco horned treefrog, is a species of

frog A frog is any member of a diverse and largely Carnivore, carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians composing the order (biology), order Anura (ανοὐρά, literally ''without tail'' in Ancient Greek). The oldest fossil "proto-f ...

in the family

Hemiphractidae The Hemiphractidae are a family (biology), family of frogs from South America, South and Central America. Previously, this group had been classified as a subfamily (Hemiphractinae) under family Hylidae. More recent research classifies these gen ...

. It is found in the upper

Amazon basin The Amazon basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries. The Amazon drainage basin covers an area of about , or about 35.5 percent of the South American continent. It is located in the countries of Bolivi ...

in extreme southwestern

Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...

( Amazonas and

Caquetá Department Caquetá Department () is a department of Colombia. Located in the Amazonas region, Caquetá borders with the departments of Cauca and Huila to the west, the department of Meta to the north, the department of Guaviare to the northeast, the d ...

s),

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...

, and northern

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

Description

Males measure and females in snout–vent length. The head is triangular in dorsal view. Snout is elongated to a

proboscis A proboscis () is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal, either a vertebrate or an invertebrate. In invertebrates, the term usually refers to tubular mouthparts used for feeding and sucking. In vertebrates, a proboscis is an elong ...

, and there is a large conical and several small tubercles on the eyes. At night, the body is yellowish with brown diagonal or transverse bars and with crossbars in the extremities; the belly is grayish-cream to white. By day, the back is brown with darker brown markings; the ventral surface is brown to reddish brown with orange or yellow spots on the belly, and yellow or white spots on the gular region. Tongue is orange.

Reproduction and behaviour

Reproduction seems to occur throughout year as juveniles have been encountered during all months. Development is direct, and the female carries her eggs on her back. ''Hemiphractus proboscideus'' is a predatory species that eats other frogs. At night, they are typically found sitting on low vegetation. When disturbed, the frog will open its mouth to show its bright-coloured tongue. They can deliver a strong bite.

Habitat and conservation

Its natural

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

s are moist tropical forest at elevations of

asl American Sign Language (ASL) is a natural language that serves as the predominant sign language of Deaf communities in the United States of America and most of Anglophone Canada. ASL is a complete and organized visual language that is express ...

. It is a rare species. No major threats have been identified, but it has declined in Ecuador for unknown reasons. Its range includes several protected areas.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2209654 proboscideus Amphibians of Colombia Amphibians of Ecuador Amphibians of Peru Taxa named by Marcos Jiménez de la Espada Amphibians described in 1870 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot