''Theloderma palliatum'' (common name: cloaked moss frog) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Vietnam and so far only known from the Bidoup Núi Bà and

Chư Yang Sin National Park Chư Yang Sin National Park (Vietnamese language: Vườn quốc gia Chư Yang Sin) is a national park in the communes of: Yang Mao, Cư Drăm, Cư Pui, Hoà Phong, Hoà Lễ, Hoà Sơn, Khuê Ngọc Điền in the county of Krông Bông and ...

s. This species, together with '' Theloderma nebulosum'', was first found by Australian and Vietnamese scientists in

Tay Nguyen Central Highlands ( vi, Cao nguyên Trung phần), Western Highlands ( vi, Tây Nguyên) or Midland Highlands ( vi, Cao nguyên Trung bộ) is one of the regions of Vietnam. It contains the provinces of Đắk Lắk, Đắk Nông, Gia Lai, K ...

in 2011.

Description

Adult males measure about in

snout–vent length Snout–vent length (SVL) is a morphometric measurement taken in herpetology from the tip of the snout to the most posterior opening of the cloacal slit (vent)."direct line distance from tip of snout to posterior margin of vent" It is the most c ...

. An adult female, first described as a distinct species, ''Theloderma chuyangsinense'', measures in snout–vent length. The body is relatively slender. The head is slightly longer than it is wide. The snout is bluntly truncate in dorsal view and truncate in profile. The tympanum is distinct. Both finger and toe discs are well-developed, but the finger discs are larger than the toes discs . The fingers are unwebbed whereas the toes have basal webbing. The dorsum is weakly rugose with sparsely scattered minute, pearly asperities. The ventral surface of thighs and belly are coarsely granular, while the chest and throat are smooth. In specimens from the Bidoup Núi Bà National Park, the dorsum is pale coppery brown with distinct dark warm brown markings, which are more distinct at night. The specimen from Chư Yang Sin National Park had pale-yellow to light straw-brown dorsum, with dark-brown blotches and spots of various sizes and shapes.

Nomenclature

Scientists named this frog ''palliatus'' for the Latin word for "cloaked" or "in disguise," a reference to the frog's cryptic appearance.

Habitat

''Theloderma palliatum'' is known from montane evergreen forests at elevations of

above sea level Height above mean sea level is a measure of the vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) of a location in reference to a historic mean sea level taken as a vertical datum. In geodesy, it is formalized as ''orthometric heights''. The comb ...

. Specimens have been recorded sitting on leaves 1–2 metres above ground and on the ground. Some specimens were collected near streams while others were found further away. It is rare in the Bidoup Núi Bà National Park, with only three specimens collected during 20 surveys conducted over a three-year period. However, the apparent rarity of the species could simply be caused by poor detectability associated with its small size and arboreal habits.

Conservation

Habitat loss and modification, caused by aquaculture, agriculture (coffee), infrastructure, and harvest of forest products, are occurring inside the Bidoup Núi Bà National Park. As a consequence, this species is believed to be declining. Scientists speculate that people might harvest this frog for the international pet trade, but it is so difficult to see with the naked eye that this may not be an issue.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q549164 palliatum Frogs of Asia Amphibians of Vietnam Endemic fauna of Vietnam Amphibians described in 2011 Taxa named by Jodi Rowley