Description
Gastrotheca abdita belongs to the Gastrotheca marsupiata complex, whose distribution north seems to be impeded by the Huancabamba Depression (ranges and basins of low relief in the Andes of northern Peru and extreme southern Ecuador). Max SVL reaches 35 mm in males, 46.2 in females. Head width is slightly greater than head length. Snout is acuminate when viewed dorsally and bluntly rounded/projecting beyond anterior border of snout in lateral view. Diameter of eye is about equal to eye-nostril distance. Tibia length is 49% SVL. Dorsal skin is smooth to weakly areolate. The first finger is equal in length to second finger. Webbing on foot is variable in length. Dark canthal stripe is absent, tympanum brown, and dorsum uniform brown (80%) or with narrow darker middorsal mark (20%). This species is direct developing. Fingers unwebbed and have a terminal disc whose diameter equals that of the tympanum. Relative length of fingers is 1=2<4<3; relative length of toes 1<2<3=5<4. Skin on flanks, belly, and proximal posteroventral surfaces of thighs granular. Anal opening is directed posteiorly at the upper level of thighs. The pouch opening is U-shaped, whose anterior border is at the level of the sacrum. In preservative, this species is dull grayish-brown with a darker brown middorsal stripe that begins at the occipital region, proceeds posteriorly, bifurcates posterior to scapula and coalesces anteriorly to its terminus at the anterior border of the pouch. Ventral coloration is tan (Duellman 1987).

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Peru

View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.

Found in the higher western slopes of the Cordillera Colan in the Huancabamba Depression in northern Peru above treeline at elevations of 2970-3330 m. Females were found in grassy areas, in a bog, and in the frongs of a spiny terrestrial bromeliad.

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Direct developers found in grassy areas. Not much is known of their behavior.

References

Duellman, W. E. (1987). ''Two new species of marsupial frogs (Anura: Hylidae) from Peru.'' Copeia , 1987(4), 903-909.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2004 Gastrotheca abdita: Cordillera Colan Marsupial Frog <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/1363> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Dec 28, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 28 Dec 2024.

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