''Sarcohyla bistincta'', also known as the Mexican fringe-limbed treefrog or Cope's streamside treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to Mexico; it is widespread and occurs from southern Sinaloa and Durango southeastward to Veracruz and Oaxaca. The nominal ''Sarcohyla bistincta'' consists of several lineages that may eventually be described as distinct species.

Description

Males grow to a

snout–vent length Snout–vent length (SVL) is a morphometric measurement taken in herpetology from the tip of the snout to the most posterior opening of the cloacal slit (vent)."direct line distance from tip of snout to posterior margin of vent" It is the most c ...

of and females to . The head is wider than it is long; the snout is short and rounded. The tympanum is distinct but partly obscured by the supratympanic fold. The fingers are moderately long and slender and bear moderately large discs; only vestigial webbing is present. The toes are moderately long and slender too and bear discs that are slightly smaller than the finger ones. The toes are partially webbed. Skin is dorsally smooth but ventrally granular. Dorsal coloration varies from yellowish brown to dark brown (juveniles in some populations are greenish); the flanks are yellow to pale brownish tan with pattern of coarse dark brown to black lines. The thighs are posteriorly blackish with bold yellow spots, with the yellow spotting also present on the anterior surface. The ventral surfaces are usually uniform pale yellow, but occasionally with sparse dark vermiform mottling, especially on throat and chest. The iris is deep reddish bronze.

Habitat and conservation

''Sarcohyla bistincta'' occurs in pine-oak and pine-fir forests at elevations of

above sea level Height above mean sea level is a measure of the vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) of a location in reference to a historic mean sea level taken as a vertical datum. In geodesy, it is formalized as ''orthometric heights''. The comb ...

and in the associated streams. They are often found sitting on large streamside boulders or on vegetation or exposed tree roots, but can also be found far from flowing water. Breeding takes place in streams. It is threatened by habitat loss and potentially also by chytridiomycosis. Its range includes some protected areas.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q917850 bistincta Endemic amphibians of Mexico Fauna of the Sierra Madre del Sur Fauna of the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca Taxa named by Edward Drinker Cope Amphibians described in 1877 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot