| Italian stream frog | |
|---|---|
| |
| Rana italica | |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ranidae |
| Genus: | Rana |
| Species: | R. italica |
| Binomial name | |
| Rana italica Dubois, 1987 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Italian stream frog (Rana italica), also called the Italian frog, is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. The species is endemic to Italy and San Marino.
Description
Adults of R. italica have a head-body length of 7–7.5 cm (2.8–3.0 in). The hind legs are long, but not extremely so. If the hind leg is pressed forward along the body, the "heel" (tibio-tarsal articulation) does not extend beyond the snout. There are pearly granules on the ventral surfaces of the hind legs.
Vocalization
The male R. italica calls only underwater. Calls are usually inaudible to a human listener, unless the calling frog is only slightly below the surface. Three different calls are known: a low repeated "grongron", a modulated "squack", and a short "uh".
Habitat
The natural habitats of R. italica are rivers, intermittent rivers, swamps, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes.
Conservation status
R. italica is threatened by habitat loss.
References
- ^ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Rana italica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T58624A89705522. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T58624A89705522.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- Frost D (2018). "Rana italica ". Amphibian Species of the World 6.0, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History.
- Vanni S, Nistra A (2006). Atlante degli Anfibi e dei Rettili della Toscana. Florence: Università degli studi di Firenze, Museo di storia naturale sezione di zoologia La Specola. 379 pp. (in Italian).
- Razzetti, Edoardo; Sacchi, Roberto; Platz, James E. (2006). "First description of the acoustic repertoire of Rana italica (Anura, Ranidae)". Herpetological Journal 16: 229-231.
Further reading
- Dubois A (1987) ("1985"). "Notes sur les grenouilles brunes (groupe de Rana temporaria Linné, 1758). IV. Note préliminaire sur Rana graeca Boulenger, 1891 ". Alytes, Paris 4: 135–138. (Rana graeca italica, new subspecies). (in French).
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