Engystomops freibergi

Engystomops freibergi is a frog native to the Amazonian Brazil, southeastern Peru, and Amazonian Bolivia. For a while, it was considered to be a synonym of Engystomops petersi, its sibling species, but its species status was resurrected in a study published in 1998. Nevertheless, these two species have also been mixed in later studies, and there are records from the Guianas that have not yet been allocated to either species.^[2] Divergence of these two species seems to have been driven by behavioural isolation related to male call characteristics more than geographic isolation.^[3]

Engystomops freibergi
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Leptodactylidae
Genus:	Engystomops
Species:	E. freibergi
Binomial name
Engystomops freibergi (Donoso-Barros, 1969)
Synonyms
Eupemphix freibergi Donoso-Barros, 1969 Physalaemus freibergi (Donoso-Barros, 1969)

Description

Engystomops freibergi are relatively small frogs. Males measure 24–36 mm (0.94–1.42 in) in snout–vent length and females 25–39 mm (0.98–1.54 in). Dorsal colouration is variable. Skin on dorsum is warty, bearing small tubercles with scattered larger tubercles.^[4]

Habitat

Engystomops freibergi is a locally common species found in lowland Amazon rainforest. These frogs are nocturnal and usually found in the leaf litter in primary forest.^[1] They feed primarily on termites.^[4]

Reproduction

The breeding period coincides with the rainy season (December–March). Males call at night near temporary ponds and slow-moving streams.^[1] The call consists of a prefix and a "whine" component, and in some populations, a third "squawk" component. Foam nests are deposited on the surface of ponds.^[4]