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.
| Italian stream frog | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Rana italica | |
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[2] | |
| |
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.[3]
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".[4]
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.[1]
References
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).