Amietia vertebralis
| Ice frog | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: | Amietia Dubois, 1987
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| Species: | A. vertebralis
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| Binomial name | |
| Amietia vertebralis (Hewitt, 1927)
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| Synonyms | |
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Rana vertebralis Hewitt, 1927 | |
The ice frog, large-mouthed frog, or water frog (Amietia vertebralis) is a species of frog in the Ranidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Amietia. It is found in Lesotho and the surrounding mountain ranges of South Africa, including the Witteberg Range. The species' natural habitats are limited to pristine, cool grasslands and rivers between 1,540 and 3,282m above sea level.
Though its range is limited, it is abundant in its natural habitat and is not considered to be in danger of underpopulation. Habitat loss is present due to afforestation, agriculture and dams, as well as possible erosion due to overgrazing of livestock. The species is used in traditional medicine by local tribes to treat burns, but the frequency of this use isn't likely enough to be of danger to the species' population. Some ice frogs are known to thrive in dark, isolated cave-like areas, these specimens will often cling to caregivers, and fail at basic survival tasks[citation needed].
References
- Leslie Minter, Alan Channing 2004. Amietia vertebralis. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [www.iucnredlist.org]. Downloaded on 23 April 2009.
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