Mini scule: Difference between revisions
m Align infobox |
m {{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} |
||
(64 intermediate revisions by 43 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|Species of frog endemic to Madagascar}} |
{{short description|Species of microhylid frog endemic to Madagascar}} |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
{{Italic title}} |
{{Italic title}} |
||
{{about|the frog|other uses|Minuscule (disambiguation)}} |
|||
⚫ | |||
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} |
|||
⚫ | |||
{{Speciesbox |
{{Speciesbox |
||
| image = Mini scule 02. |
| image = Mini scule 02.jpg |
||
| image_alt = frog with bronze upperparts, brown underparts, and red eye |
| image_alt = frog with bronze upperparts, brown underparts, and red eye |
||
| image_caption = A side view of ''Mini scule'' |
| image_caption = A side view of ''Mini scule'' |
||
Line 11: | Line 13: | ||
| range_map = Known ranges of multiple species of Microhylidae described in 2019.jpg |
| range_map = Known ranges of multiple species of Microhylidae described in 2019.jpg |
||
| range_map_caption = Known range of ''Mini scule'' (yellow pentagon, bottom right) |
| range_map_caption = Known range of ''Mini scule'' (yellow pentagon, bottom right) |
||
| synonyms = ''Cophyla scule'' |
| synonyms = ''Cophyla scule'' {{small|(Dubois ''et al.'', 2021)}} |
||
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=Frost/> |
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=Frost/> |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''''Mini scule''''' is a [[species]] of [[Microhylidae|microhylid]] frog [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Madagascar]] that was [[species description|described]] in 2019. The [[scientific name]] of the species refers to its size, being a |
'''''Mini scule''''' is a [[species]] of [[Microhylidae|microhylid]] [[frog]] [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Madagascar]] that was [[species description|described]] in 2019. The [[scientific name]] of the species refers to its size, being a pun on the word ''minuscule''<!-- As stated in Scherz et al. -->. It is very small, measuring only {{Cvt|8.4|to|10.8|mm|in}} in [[snout–vent length]]. It has bronze underparts with a brown groin and back of the thigh, cream upperparts with brown flecking, a dark brown side of the head, and a red [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]]. It is known only from the [[Sainte Luce Reserve]], where it inhabits areas with deep leaf litter near semi-permanent water bodies. Specimens of frogs from Mandena, the [[Vohimena]] mountains, the southern Anosy Mountains, and [[Tsitongambarika]] may also be of this species. Like other species in the genus ''[[Mini (frog)|Mini]]'', it received media attention when first described due to the wordplay in its scientific name. |
||
== Taxonomy and systematics == |
== Taxonomy and systematics == |
||
''Mini scule'' was described in 2019 by |
''Mini scule'' was described in 2019 by [[herpetologist]] Mark Scherz and his colleagues based on an adult specimen (presumed to be male) collected in [[Sainte Luce Reserve]] in [[Anosy]], Madagascar, in 2005.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Scherz|first1=Mark D.|last2=Hutter|first2=Carl R.|last3=Rakotoarison|first3=Andolalao|last4=Riemann|first4=Jana C.|last5=Rödel|first5=Mark-Oliver|last6=Ndriantsoa|first6=Serge H.|last7=Glos|first7=Julian|last8=Hyde Roberts|first8=Sam|last9=Crottini|first9=Angelica|last10=Vences|first10=Miguel|last11=Glaw|first11=Frank|name-list-style=amp|date=27 March 2019|editor-last=Crowther|editor-first=Mathew S.|title=Morphological and ecological convergence at the lower size limit for vertebrates highlighted by five new miniaturised microhylid frog species from three different Madagascan genera|journal=[[PLOS ONE]]|language=en|volume=14|issue=3|page=e0213314|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0213314|pmc=6436692|pmid=30917162|bibcode=2019PLoSO..1413314S|doi-access=free}}</ref> The name ''Mini scule'' is a [[pun]] on the word ''[[wikt:miniscule|miniscule]]''<ref name=":0" /> (a misspelling or variant spelling of ''[[wikt:minuscule|minuscule]]''),<ref>{{Cite OED|miniscule|id=118871|access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref> alluding to the fact that the species is among the smallest known species of frog. The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]] ''scule'' is regarded as an invariable noun.<ref name=":0" /> Along with ''[[Mini mum]]'' and ''[[Mini ature]]'', the other two species in [[Mini (frog)|its genus]], the species received publicity when it was first described due to its humorous scientific name.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last1=Solly|first1=Meilan|title=Meet Mini mum, Mini scule and Mini ature, Three New Frog Species Among the World's Smallest|language=en|website=[[Smithsonian Magazine]]|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/three-newly-discovered-frog-species-are-among-worlds-smallest-180971819/|access-date=19 September 2021|date=28 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=28 March 2019|title=Meet Mini mum, Mini ature, Mini scule: Tiny new frogs from Madagascar|url=https://news.mongabay.com/2019/03/meet-mini-mum-mini-ature-mini-scule-tiny-new-frogs-from-madagascar/|access-date=19 September 2021|website=Mongabay Environmental News|language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
The species is part of [[Microhylidae]], a widespread family of more than 650 species of mostly small frogs. It is most closely related to ''Mini ature'', with these two species forming a [[Sister group|sister clade]] to ''Mini mum''. The study that described the species placed the genus ''Mini'' as a sister to ''[[Plethodontohyla]]'', despite the former being [[Morphology (biology)|morphologically]] more similar to ''[[Stumpffia]]''.<ref name=":0" /> However, a 2021 [[phylogeny]] by Alain Dubois and colleagues instead suggests that to be monophyletic, both ''Plethodontohyla'' and ''Mini'' should be [[Lumpers and splitters|lumped]] with ''[[Cophyla]]''. This would make the present species's name ''Cophyla scule''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last1=Dubois|first1=Alain|last2=Ohler|first2=Annemarie|last3=Pyron|first3=R. Alexander|date=26 February 2021|title=New concepts and methods for phylogenetic taxonomy and nomenclature in zoology, exemplified by a new ranked cladonomy of recent amphibians (Lissamphibia)|url=https://www.mapress.com/mt/article/view/megataxa.5.1.1|journal=Megataxa|volume=5|issue=1|doi=10.11646/megataxa.5.1.1|issn=2703-3090|doi-access=free}}</ref> |
The species is part of [[Microhylidae]], a widespread family of more than 650 species of mostly small frogs. It is most closely related to ''Mini ature'', with these two species forming a [[Sister group|sister clade]] to ''Mini mum''. The study that described the species placed the genus ''Mini'' as a sister to ''[[Plethodontohyla]]'', despite the former being [[Morphology (biology)|morphologically]] more similar to ''[[Stumpffia]]''.<ref name=":0" /> However, a 2021 [[phylogeny]] by Alain Dubois and colleagues instead suggests that to be monophyletic, both ''Plethodontohyla'' and ''Mini'' should be [[Lumpers and splitters|lumped]] with ''[[Cophyla]]''. This would make the present species's name ''Cophyla scule''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last1=Dubois|first1=Alain|last2=Ohler|first2=Annemarie|last3=Pyron|first3=R. Alexander|date=26 February 2021|title=New concepts and methods for phylogenetic taxonomy and nomenclature in zoology, exemplified by a new ranked cladonomy of recent amphibians (Lissamphibia)|url=https://www.mapress.com/mt/article/view/megataxa.5.1.1|journal=Megataxa|volume=5|issue=1|doi=10.11646/megataxa.5.1.1|issn=2703-3090|doi-access=free}}</ref> |
||
Line 36: | Line 38: | ||
|label1=''[[Mini (frog)|Mini]]'' |
|label1=''[[Mini (frog)|Mini]]'' |
||
|1={{clade |
|1={{clade |
||
|1=''[[Mini mum|M. |
|1=''[[Mini mum|M.{{nbsp}}mum]]'' |
||
|2={{clade |
|2={{clade |
||
|1=''[[Mini ature|M. |
|1=''[[Mini ature|M.{{nbsp}}ature]]'' |
||
|2='''''M. |
|2='''''M.{{nbsp}}scule''''' |
||
}} |
}} |
||
}} |
}} |
||
Line 90: | Line 92: | ||
{{Multiple image |
{{Multiple image |
||
| direction = vertical |
| direction = vertical |
||
| image1 = Mini scule top view. |
| image1 = Mini scule top view.jpg |
||
| alt1 = brown and black frog top view |
| alt1 = brown and black frog top view |
||
| caption1 = Top view of ''Mini scule'' |
| caption1 = Top view of ''Mini scule'' |
||
| image2 = Mini scule bottom view. |
| image2 = Mini scule bottom view.jpg |
||
| caption2 = Bottom view of ''Mini scule'' |
| caption2 = Bottom view of ''Mini scule'' |
||
| alt2 = upside down frog with pale brown underside |
| alt2 = upside down frog with pale brown underside |
||
Line 99: | Line 101: | ||
| total_width = 175 |
| total_width = 175 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
''Mini scule'' is one of the smallest known species of frog,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scherz |first=Mark D. |title=Meet the mini frogs of Madagascar — the new species we've discovered |url=https://theconversation.com/meet-the-mini-frogs-of-madagascar-the-new-species-weve-discovered-113946 |date=28 March 2019 |access-date=14 January 2022 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714025821/https://theconversation.com/meet-the-mini-frogs-of-madagascar-the-new-species-weve-discovered-113946 |archive-date=14 July 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> with a [[snout–vent length]] of {{ |
''Mini scule'' is one of the smallest known species of frog,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scherz |first=Mark D. |title=Meet the mini frogs of Madagascar — the new species we've discovered |url=https://theconversation.com/meet-the-mini-frogs-of-madagascar-the-new-species-weve-discovered-113946 |date=28 March 2019 |access-date=14 January 2022 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714025821/https://theconversation.com/meet-the-mini-frogs-of-madagascar-the-new-species-weve-discovered-113946 |archive-date=14 July 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> with a [[snout–vent length]] of {{Cvt|8.4|to|10.8|mm|in}}. It has bronze [[underparts]], except for the [[groin]] and back of the thigh, which are brown. The underparts and [[upperparts]] have a distinct color border along the side of the body between the rib cage and hip. The side of the head is dark brown but becomes more flecked with cream towards the back. The upperparts are cream with brown flecks. The [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]] is red. The groin can have dark markings in some specimens, along with blacker flanks and a burnt [[umber]] crossband on the thighs and lower leg.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
''M. |
''M.{{nbsp}}scule'' has a rectangular body, with the head being wider than it is long and narrower than the body. The snout is rounded from the top and side, with non-protuberant nostrils that are equidistant between the eyes and snout. The [[Lore (anatomy)|lores]] are flat and vertical, and the tongue is long and thin. The first, second, and fourth fingers are greatly reduced, while the first toe is absent and the second and fifth toes are strongly reduced. The [[Maxillary teeth|maxillary]] and [[premaxilla]]ry teeth are present, but it lacks [[vomer]]ine teeth.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
Within its genus, it can be distinguished from ''Mini mum'' by the presence of the maxillary and premaxillary teeth, as well as a less distinct border between the upperparts and underparts along the side, and from ''Mini ature'' by its smaller size and proportionally smaller nasals and [[neurocranium]]. It is also similar to some species in ''Stumpffia'' but can be distinguished from them by its poorly [[Ossification|ossified]] [[Carpal bones|carpals]], along with the loss or fusion of the second carpal.<ref name=":0" /> |
Within its genus, it can be distinguished from ''Mini mum'' by the presence of the maxillary and premaxillary teeth, as well as a less distinct border between the upperparts and underparts along the side, and from ''Mini ature'' by its smaller size and proportionally smaller nasals and [[neurocranium]]. It is also similar to some species in ''Stumpffia'' but can be distinguished from them by its poorly [[Ossification|ossified]] [[Carpal bones|carpals]], along with the loss or fusion of the second carpal.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
The species's [[Sexual selection in amphibians#Vocal signaling in frogs|calls]] are very different from those of ''M. |
The species's [[Sexual selection in amphibians#Vocal signaling in frogs|calls]] are very different from those of ''M.{{nbsp}}mum'' but similar to those of many ''Stumpffia'' species. They most resemble those of ''[[Stumpffia gimmeli]]'', ''[[Stumpffia larinki|S.{{nbsp}}larinki]]'', and ''[[Stumpffia tridactyla|S.{{nbsp}}tridactyla]]''. However, its dominant frequency is higher than that of ''S.{{nbsp}}gimmeli'' and ''S.{{nbsp}}larinki'', while it is lower than that of ''S.{{nbsp}}tridactyla''.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
== Distribution and habitat == |
== Distribution and habitat == |
||
[[File:Habitat of Mini scule. |
[[File:Habitat of Mini scule.jpg|thumb|''Mini scule'' habitat|alt=Forest with dappled sunlight]] |
||
''Mini scule'' has an extremely limited range, being known only from areas in the Sainte Luce Reserve. Reports of ''Stumpffia'' frogs from Mandena, the [[Vohimena]] mountains, the southern Anosy Mountains, and [[Tsitongambarika]] may also refer to this species but need genetic confirmation. The species inhabits areas with deep [[leaf litter]] near semi-permanent water bodies like forest streams.<ref name=":0" /> |
''Mini scule'' has an extremely limited range, being known only from areas in the Sainte Luce Reserve. Reports of ''Stumpffia'' frogs from Mandena, the [[Vohimena]] mountains, the southern Anosy Mountains, and [[Tsitongambarika]] may also refer to this species but need genetic confirmation. The species inhabits areas with deep [[leaf litter]] near semi-permanent water bodies like forest streams.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
== Conservation == |
== Conservation == |
||
''Mini scule'' is currently known only from the Sainte Luce Reserve and may be [[microendemic]] to forest fragments within it. Although |
''Mini scule'' is currently known only from the Sainte Luce Reserve and it may be [[microendemic]] to forest fragments within it. Although the species has not been assessed by the [[IUCN]], the authors of the article in which it is described recommended that it be listed as [[critically endangered]] due to its extremely small range and degradation in the quality of the forest which it inhabits.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
{{Clear}} |
|||
== References == |
== References == |
||
Line 134: | Line 135: | ||
[[Category:Taxa named by Mark D. Scherz]] |
[[Category:Taxa named by Mark D. Scherz]] |
||
[[Category:Taxa named by Miguel Vences]] |
[[Category:Taxa named by Miguel Vences]] |
||
[[Category:Puns]] |
Revision as of 21:38, 27 October 2022
Mini scule | |
---|---|
A side view of Mini scule | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Microhylidae |
Subfamily: | Cophylinae |
Genus: | Mini |
Species: | M. scule
|
Binomial name | |
Mini scule Scherz et al., 2019[1]
| |
Known range of Mini scule (yellow pentagon, bottom right) | |
Synonyms[2] | |
Cophyla scule (Dubois et al., 2021) |
Mini scule is a species of microhylid frog endemic to Madagascar that was described in 2019. The scientific name of the species refers to its size, being a pun on the word minuscule. It is very small, measuring only 8.4 to 10.8 mm (0.33 to 0.43 in) in snout–vent length. It has bronze underparts with a brown groin and back of the thigh, cream upperparts with brown flecking, a dark brown side of the head, and a red iris. It is known only from the Sainte Luce Reserve, where it inhabits areas with deep leaf litter near semi-permanent water bodies. Specimens of frogs from Mandena, the Vohimena mountains, the southern Anosy Mountains, and Tsitongambarika may also be of this species. Like other species in the genus Mini, it received media attention when first described due to the wordplay in its scientific name.
Taxonomy and systematics
Mini scule was described in 2019 by herpetologist Mark Scherz and his colleagues based on an adult specimen (presumed to be male) collected in Sainte Luce Reserve in Anosy, Madagascar, in 2005.[1] The name Mini scule is a pun on the word miniscule[1] (a misspelling or variant spelling of minuscule),[3] alluding to the fact that the species is among the smallest known species of frog. The specific name scule is regarded as an invariable noun.[1] Along with Mini mum and Mini ature, the other two species in its genus, the species received publicity when it was first described due to its humorous scientific name.[4][5]
The species is part of Microhylidae, a widespread family of more than 650 species of mostly small frogs. It is most closely related to Mini ature, with these two species forming a sister clade to Mini mum. The study that described the species placed the genus Mini as a sister to Plethodontohyla, despite the former being morphologically more similar to Stumpffia.[1] However, a 2021 phylogeny by Alain Dubois and colleagues instead suggests that to be monophyletic, both Plethodontohyla and Mini should be lumped with Cophyla. This would make the present species's name Cophyla scule.[6]
The following cladograms of the subfamily Cophylinae show the differing phylogenies found by the 2019 and 2021 studies:[1][6]
Description
Mini scule is one of the smallest known species of frog,[7] with a snout–vent length of 8.4 to 10.8 mm (0.33 to 0.43 in). It has bronze underparts, except for the groin and back of the thigh, which are brown. The underparts and upperparts have a distinct color border along the side of the body between the rib cage and hip. The side of the head is dark brown but becomes more flecked with cream towards the back. The upperparts are cream with brown flecks. The iris is red. The groin can have dark markings in some specimens, along with blacker flanks and a burnt umber crossband on the thighs and lower leg.[1]
M. scule has a rectangular body, with the head being wider than it is long and narrower than the body. The snout is rounded from the top and side, with non-protuberant nostrils that are equidistant between the eyes and snout. The lores are flat and vertical, and the tongue is long and thin. The first, second, and fourth fingers are greatly reduced, while the first toe is absent and the second and fifth toes are strongly reduced. The maxillary and premaxillary teeth are present, but it lacks vomerine teeth.[1]
Within its genus, it can be distinguished from Mini mum by the presence of the maxillary and premaxillary teeth, as well as a less distinct border between the upperparts and underparts along the side, and from Mini ature by its smaller size and proportionally smaller nasals and neurocranium. It is also similar to some species in Stumpffia but can be distinguished from them by its poorly ossified carpals, along with the loss or fusion of the second carpal.[1]
The species's calls are very different from those of M. mum but similar to those of many Stumpffia species. They most resemble those of Stumpffia gimmeli, S. larinki, and S. tridactyla. However, its dominant frequency is higher than that of S. gimmeli and S. larinki, while it is lower than that of S. tridactyla.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Mini scule has an extremely limited range, being known only from areas in the Sainte Luce Reserve. Reports of Stumpffia frogs from Mandena, the Vohimena mountains, the southern Anosy Mountains, and Tsitongambarika may also refer to this species but need genetic confirmation. The species inhabits areas with deep leaf litter near semi-permanent water bodies like forest streams.[1]
Conservation
Mini scule is currently known only from the Sainte Luce Reserve and it may be microendemic to forest fragments within it. Although the species has not been assessed by the IUCN, the authors of the article in which it is described recommended that it be listed as critically endangered due to its extremely small range and degradation in the quality of the forest which it inhabits.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Scherz, Mark D.; Hutter, Carl R.; Rakotoarison, Andolalao; Riemann, Jana C.; Rödel, Mark-Oliver; Ndriantsoa, Serge H.; Glos, Julian; Hyde Roberts, Sam; Crottini, Angelica; Vences, Miguel & Glaw, Frank (27 March 2019). Crowther, Mathew S. (ed.). "Morphological and ecological convergence at the lower size limit for vertebrates highlighted by five new miniaturised microhylid frog species from three different Madagascan genera". PLOS ONE. 14 (3): e0213314. Bibcode:2019PLoSO..1413314S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0213314. PMC 6436692. PMID 30917162.
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2021). "Mini scule Scherz, Hutter, Rakotoarison, Riemann, Rödel, Ndriantsoa, Glos, Roberts, Crottini, Vences, and Glaw, 2019". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ "miniscule". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. Retrieved 25 October 2022. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ Solly, Meilan (28 March 2019). "Meet Mini mum, Mini scule and Mini ature, Three New Frog Species Among the World's Smallest". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- ^ "Meet Mini mum, Mini ature, Mini scule: Tiny new frogs from Madagascar". Mongabay Environmental News. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- ^ a b c Dubois, Alain; Ohler, Annemarie; Pyron, R. Alexander (26 February 2021). "New concepts and methods for phylogenetic taxonomy and nomenclature in zoology, exemplified by a new ranked cladonomy of recent amphibians (Lissamphibia)". Megataxa. 5 (1). doi:10.11646/megataxa.5.1.1. ISSN 2703-3090.
- ^ Scherz, Mark D. (28 March 2019). "Meet the mini frogs of Madagascar — the new species we've discovered". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
External links
- Media related to Mini scule at Wikimedia Commons