Description
Known only from the preserved holotype (Ahl 1927), a mature female measuring 14.9 mm SVL. Distinguishing characteristics from Manamendra-Arachchi and Pethayigoda 2005, in their key to Sri Lankan species of Pseudophilautus: Tarsal fold absent. Tympanum visible (oval and vertical). Skin on head not co-ossified with skull. Toes webbed but medially, not fully. Supernumerary tubercles on palm present. Lingual papilla absent. Dermal fringe on fingers is absent. Supernumerary tubercles on foot are present. Supratympanic fold is prominent. Dark band runs from tip of snout to past tympanum (extending nearly to base of upper arm) and limbs have crossbars. Snout angle is category 1 (about 78 degrees). Other morphological features include: Anterior dorsum with two angular ridges. Calcar present. Vomerine teeth lacking. Smooth dorsum, belly granular. Slender body with dorsally convex head. Sharp canthal edges with concave loreal region, pointed snout in lateral view (Manamendra-Arachchi and Pethayigoda 2005).

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Sri Lanka

View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.

Endemic to Sri Lanka and was only known from the general type locality "Ceylon". The exact location and habitat requirements are not known (Stuart et al 2008).

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Known only from the holotype; Pseudophilautus malcolmsmithi has not been recorded since its description (Ahl 1927). It is believed to have been a direct developer, like other species in the genus Pseudophilautus (Stuart et al 2008).

Trends and Threats
The exact reasons for this species extinction is not known, but it is believed that habitat loss led to its population decrease and eventual extinction (Stuart et al 2008).

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

General habitat alteration and loss

References

Ahl, E. (1927). ''Zur Systematik der asiatischen Arten der Froschgattung Rhacophorus.'' Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender, 1927, 35-47.

Manamendra-Arachchi, K., and Pethiyagoda, R. (2005). ''The Sri Lankan shrub-frogs of the genus Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Ranidae: Rhacophorinae), with description of 27 new species.'' Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Supplement 12, 163-303.

Stuart, S., Hoffmann, M., Chanson, J., Cox, N., Berridge, R., Ramani, P., Young, B. (eds) (2008). Threatened Amphibians of the World. Lynx Edicions, IUCN, and Conservation International, Barcelona, Spain; Gland, Switzerland; and Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2010 Pseudophilautus malcolmsmithi <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/6480> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Nov 22, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 22 Nov 2024.

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