Description
Limnophys helonotus is a large member of the genus, the maximum SVL ranges from 60-70 mm. This species can be differentiated from its congeners based on the following combination of characters: the frontoparietals have low parasagittal cranial crests; prevomerine dentigerous processes are arch-like and extend laterally to outer edge of choanae; dorsal skin lacks osteoderms; dorsal skin is tuberculate and bears large flattened warts; the upper eyelid lacks elongate tubercles; and no tarsal fold. The head is as broad or broader than the body, head width 49.5-51% SVL. Snout is round when viewed dorsally and truncate when viewed laterally. Eye-nostril distance is 93.8-96.1% eye length. Supratympanic fold is present and indistinct while the tympanum is prominent, higher than wide, and separated from the eye by a distance 1.5-2 times width of tympanum. There is a pair of indistinct canthal folds present and no enlarged “horn-like” tubercles on eyelids. Fingers have weak lateral fingers; tips of fingers are rounded and lack pads. There are two metatarsal tubercles, the inner is weakly compressed and twice as long as wide. Coloration in preservative follows: brown above with a large amount of black or dark brown markings on the tubercles and folds. Broad brown labial bars divided by cream colored lines. Ventral coloration is cream with dark brown blotches. Groin is a dark brown and lacks a pattern.

Limnophys helonotus was originally described in Lynch (1975) as Amblyphrynus helonotus, Amblyphrynus later became synonymous with Eleutherodactylus, after which the genus name was changed to Limnophys.

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Ecuador

View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.

Limnophys helonotus is known from the Pacific versant of Ecuador at low and moderate elevations.

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
The holotype for L. helonotus is a gravid female and has ovarian eggs which are 3-4 mm in diameter and heavily convoluted oviducts.

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

General habitat alteration and loss

References

Lynch, J. D. (1975). ''A review of the broad-headed eleutherodactyline frogs of South America (Leptodactylidae).'' Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural History, The University of Kansas., (38), 1-46.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2007 Strabomantis helonotus <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/2962> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Dec 26, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 26 Dec 2024.

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