''Boophis goudotii'' (common name: Goudot's bright-eyed frog) is a species of

frog A frog is any member of a diverse and largely carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians composing the order Anura (ανοὐρά, literally ''without tail'' in Ancient Greek). The oldest fossil "proto-frog" ''Triadobatrachus'' is ...

in the family

Mantellidae The Mantellidae are a family of the order Anura. These frogs are endemic to the islands of Madagascar and Mayotte. Systematics The family Mantellidae is composed of three extremely ecologically diverse groups of frogs, divided into three sub ...

. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...

where it is widespread on the high plateau of central Madagascar. Records elsewhere are uncertain and many of them represent misidentifications. It is the only Malagasy frog where females are known to be vocal.

Etymology

The specific name ''goudotii'' honours Jules Prosper Goudot, a French collector active in Madagascar during the first half of the 19th century.

Description

Males measure and females typically in snout–vent length, but they may grow as large as SVL. Colouration is variable, from almost entirely blackish to yellowish with black spots. Venter is yellowish or orange and may have blackish spots. The

iris Iris most often refers to: *Iris (anatomy), part of the eye *Iris (mythology), a Greek goddess * ''Iris'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants * Iris (color), an ambiguous color term Iris or IRIS may also refer to: Arts and media Fictional ent ...

copper turquoise periphery. The tympanum is distinct. Males have

nuptial pad A nuptial pad (also known as thumb pad, or nuptial excrescence) is a secondary sex characteristic present on some mature male frogs and salamanders. Triggered by androgen hormones, this breeding gland (a type of mucous gland) appears as a spiked ...

s and a subgular

vocal sac The vocal sac is the flexible membrane of skin possessed by most male frogs and toads. The purpose of the vocal sac is usually as an amplification of their mating or advertisement call. The presence or development of the vocal sac is one way ...

. Both males and females are vocal. Calls include irregularly emitted moaning notes, emitted during day and night.

Habitat and conservation

''Boophis goudotii'' is a common species that can be found in rainforests, fields, and disturbed stream sides near slow-moving or stagnant water. Its elevational range is above sea level. They are poor climbers but are sometimes found in trees. Breeding takes place in both permanent and temporary bodies of slow-moving or stagnant water. While the forest habitat of this species is receding, it tolerates a broad range of habitats. It is also collected for human consumption, but not at levels that would pose a threat.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2509934 goudotii Endemic frogs of Madagascar Amphibians described in 1838 Taxa named by Johann Jakob von Tschudi Taxonomy articles created by Polbot