Ameerega pongoensis from near Yurimaguas, Rio Huallaga, Peru. Photo by Jason Brown. |
Distribution
Peru, northern San Martin and southern Loreto, near the Rio Huallaga from the lowlands up to approx. 450 m. View type locality in Google Maps.
Natural history
This frog is active near small streams but rarely seen. Little is known about their reproductive biology, though it appears that tadpoles are deposited in slow moving water as opposed to standing water.
Conservation status
This species has a small range and is usually quite rare. Much of its habitat is being encroached upon by farmers clearing new farms. Furthermore, they seem to be restricted to certain types of habitat - particularly alongside small, slow streams. Continued deforestation could place this species at risk in the near future.
Notes
Sister to A. bassleri. This frog was found by geologist Harvey Bassler roughly 60 years before the 1999 description, and Silverstone (1976) had in fact described this frog as A. petersi. However, genetic analyses support the fact that this is indeed a valid species and separate from petersi.
Despite the fact that Silverstone had an A. petersi paratype from the Huallaga Canyon (which was almost certainly A. pongoensis), this frog remained largely unknown until its discovery and re-naming in the late 90s.