All about the leaf frog

The leaf frog (Proceratophrys sanctaritae,P. floated It is P. renalis) is the generic name for the species of the genus Proceratophrys that live in the soil of Brazilian forests and have a peculiar survival strategy.

These animals have the color and appearance of dry leaves. They camouflage themselves in the litter (layer of dead vegetation) through their upper eyelids. which have a horn-shaped appendage, two dorsal ridges, warts on the body, and coloration brownish.

Proceratophrys boiei

the species P. floated is the best known, having been described for the first time in 1955. As it inhabits many protected areas, such as national and state parks, its conservation status is defined as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature list (IUCN).

the males P. floated they measure from 40 to 62 mm and females from 40 to 74 mm. inhabit the

Atlantic forest and transition zones of the Atlantic forest with the thick. They call during the rainy season, at night, and lay their eggs in swamps and streams. Their diet consists mainly of arthropods such as crickets, beetles, cockroaches and spiders.

Proceratophrys sanctaritae

the species Proceratophrys sanctaritae it was described much more recently (2010) and less information is available about it. The individual observed to describe the species (holotype) was collected in Serra do Timbó, Bahia.

This area is threatened by deforestation for the cultivation of bananas and cocoa and for the creation of pastures, which has led to the reduction of the native area for the habitation of the P. sanctaritae to 3% of the original. Therefore, this species is considered critically endangered.

Proceratophrys renalis

O Proceratophrys renalis is another species endemic to Brazil. She was mistaken for the P. floated from its first observation in 1966 until 2008 when it was recognized as a different species. There is no information about its conservation.