Gracixalus medogensis

Gracixalus medogensis, also known as the Medog bubble-nest frog or Medog small treefrog, is a species of shrub frog, family Rhacophoridae.^[2] It was described from the Mêdog County in southern Tibet, and it was speculated that its distribution might extend into the adjacent Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India.^[1][2] A recent study discovered a new population in Arunachal Pradesh, India.^[3]

Gracixalus medogensis
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Rhacophoridae
Genus:	Gracixalus
Species:	G. medogensis
Binomial name
Gracixalus medogensis (Ye and Hu, 1984)
Synonyms[2]
Philautus medogensis Ye and Hu, 1984 Aquixalus medogensis (Ye and Hu, 1984)

Description

Adult male snout–vent length, based on a single individual, is 26.5 mm (1.04 in).^[4][5] The body is slender. The tympanum is distinct. The fingers and toes have well-developed discs. The toes have basal webbing.^[5] Adult males have nuptial pads only on the first finger. Linea masculina^[a] is present. The venter is light grey or whitish.^[4]

Habitat and conservation

Gracixalus medogensis occurs in tropical rain forest at elevations of 1,200–1,500 m (3,900–4,900 ft) above sea level. Specimens have been found on the shrubs along the shore of a lake deep in the forest, possibly in its breeding habitat. It is a rare species that until recently was only known from a single specimen. Because of ongoing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, it is suspected that its overall population is decreasing. Road construction is a specific threat. It is found in the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve.^[1]

Notes

1. For explanation, see Liu, C. C. [in French] (1935). "'The linea masculina,' a new secondary sex character in Salientia". Journal of Morphology. 57 (1): 131–145. doi:10.1002/jmor.1050570108.