Amolops formosus
Amolops formosus, also known as the Assam sucker frog, is a species of frog found in the high-gradient streams of northern India, northern Bangladesh, and Nepal. It is characterized by its green dorsum with chocolate-colored blotches and yellow dots, and fully webbed toes with discs, distinguishing it as a specialized inhabitant of fast-flowing water environments.
Key Facts
- ›Found in high gradient streams of northern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
- ›Adult males measure around 64 MM snout-to-vent length, while females range from 63–73 MM.
- ›Possesses fully webbed toes with discs and smooth skin, adapted for aquatic life.
- ›Dorsum is green with irregular chocolate-colored blotches and yellow dots.
- ›Threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation and dam construction.
- ›Inhabits tropical evergreen forests at elevations between 1,000–2,508 meters.
Assam Sucker Frog, Beautiful Stream Frog, Assam Cascade Frog, Hill Stream Frog
Tropical Evergreen Forest, Streams, Riparian Zones
Arunachal Pradesh, Northern India, Northern Bangladesh, Nepal
- Fully Webbed Toes With Discs
- Green Dorsum With Irregular Chocolate-Colored Blotches and Yellow Dots
- Smooth Skin
- Wide Head
- Adaptations For High-Gradient Streams
About Amolops formosus
Amolops formosus, commonly known as the Assam sucker frog, is a rare amphibian species inhabiting the fast-flowing streams of northern India, northern Bangladesh, and Nepal. Its scientific classification places it within the genus Amolops of the Ranidae family. This frog is specifically adapted to life in high-gradient streams, a niche that has led to its unique physical characteristics and restricted distribution.
Description and Adaptations
Adult specimens of Amolops formosus exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism in size, with males measuring around 64 mm (2.5 in) and females ranging from 63–73 mm (2.5–2.9 in) in snout-to-vent length. A key feature is its fully webbed toes, equipped with adhesive discs, which are crucial for maintaining grip in turbulent waters. The fingers, conversely, are not webbed. The frog's skin is smooth, and its head is relatively wide. The dorsal coloration is a vibrant green, marked by irregular, chocolate-colored blotches interspersed with yellow dots, providing camouflage against the stream bed and vegetation. The ventral side is pale, with a greenish abdomen.
Habitat and Distribution
Amolops formosus is intrinsically linked to streams and the surrounding riparian vegetation, typically found within tropical evergreen forests. It prefers higher elevations, with documented occurrences ranging from 1,000 to 2,508 meters (3,281–8,228 ft) above sea level. Its distribution is primarily concentrated in the northern regions of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. While records suggest a possible presence in Bhutan, these may be confused with closely related species, such as Amolops himalayanus, which has been treated as a synonym of A. formosus in some assessments.
Conservation Concerns
This species is considered rare and faces significant threats to its survival. Habitat loss, driven by deforestation and the construction of dams, poses the most substantial risk. These human activities directly degrade and fragment the stream environments essential for the frog's life cycle, making conservation efforts focused on habitat preservation critical for its continued existence.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common names for Amolops formosus?
Amolops formosus is also known by several common names, including the Assam sucker frog, beautiful stream frog, Assam cascade frog, and hill stream frog.
Where is Amolops formosus found?
This species is found in the high gradient streams of northern India, northern Bangladesh, and Nepal. It may also be present in Bhutan, though this is uncertain.
What does Amolops formosus look like?
Amolops formosus has a green back with distinct chocolate-colored patches marked by yellow dots. Its underside is light-colored, with a greenish abdomen. Both its fingers and toes have discs, and its toes are fully webbed.
What is the habitat of the Assam sucker frog?
The Assam sucker frog lives in streams and along the vegetation bordering them, primarily within tropical evergreen forests. It prefers elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,508 meters above sea level.
What are the threats to Amolops formosus?
The primary threats to Amolops formosus are habitat loss caused by deforestation and the construction of dams. These factors reduce the availability and quality of its essential stream habitats.
Related Frogs
Amolops gerbillus
Amolops gerbillus, also referred to as the Yembung sucker frog or the gerbil stream frog, is an amphibian species native to South Asia, specifically found in the Himalayan foothills of Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Tibet. This species is distinctive for its amphibious lifestyle, equally dividing its time between basking in the sun and actively hunting and swimming in aquatic environments.
Amolops archotaphus
Amolops archotaphus, also known as the Doi Inthanon rock frog, is a species of frog endemic to Chiang Mai Province in northwestern Thailand, potentially extending into eastern Myanmar. It was formerly considered part of a broader species complex and was only recognized as distinct in 1997. This species is characterized by its habitat near small waterfalls in mountainous regions.
Amolops hongkongensis
The Amolops hongkongensis, commonly known as the Hong Kong cascade frog or Hong Kong torrent frog, is a species of true frog native to southern coastal China, with populations found in Guangdong and historically believed to be endemic to Hong Kong. It is distinct for its unique egg-laying behavior, depositing eggs on rock faces within the splash zones of cascades, and is a protected species in Hong Kong.