Copiula guttata is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea and known from around the head of the Gulf of Papua in the Gulf and Chimbu Provinces. The specific name is the Latin adjective guttata that means "spotted" and refers to the dorsal colour pattern of this species. Based on molecular evidence, it was transferred from Austrochaperina to Copiula in 2016.

Description

Males measure and females in snout–vent length. The dorsum bears a pattern of irregular dark brown spots on a gray-brown background. The legs are long. The tympanum is small and inconspicuous. The fingers and toes are unwebbed and have well-developed terminal discs.

Copiula guttata

Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are lowland tropical forests. It is a leaf-litter species that breeds in soil cavities. It is a reasonably common species and although it can suffer locally from habitat loss, it also occurs in remote areas with little human influence, and is therefore not considered threatened.

Copiula guttata

References

guttata

Amphibians of Papua New Guinea

Endemic fauna of Papua New Guinea

Taxa named by Richard G. Zweifel

Taxonomy articles created by Polbot

Amphibians described in 2000

Copiula guttata