About Aplastodiscus leucopygius (Cruz & Peixoto, 1985)
Aplastodiscus leucopygius is a medium-sized frog that reaches a length of approximately 4 cm (1.6 in). It has a rounded snout and a single vocal sac on its throat. The iris is golden, with an orange tinge along the edge, and the tympanum is clearly visible. The tips of its fingers and toes have large discs that help it maintain grip while climbing. The dorsal (upper) surface of this frog is smooth and green, scattered with white spots. Its ventral (lower) surface is granular, cream-coloured, and marked with white flecks. A short, white ridge decorates the skin above the vent. Aplastodiscus leucopygius is an arboreal species endemic to mountains near the south-eastern coast of Brazil, where it occurs at altitudes between 800 and 1,600 metres (2,600 to 5,200 ft) above sea level. It is primarily found in forested areas near streams or temporary pools. Breeding for this species occurs during the rainy season, between December and February. Males call from trees near a body of water to attract females, and multiple nearby males often form a chorus. When a female arrives, she selects a male through an elaborate courtship ritual. The ritual concludes with the female inspecting an underground nesting chamber that the male has already prepared in a wet, muddy location. If the chamber is acceptable to the female, mating occurs, and a raft of eggs is laid inside the chamber. Developing tadpoles stay in the nest until they are washed out by flooding, after which they continue their development in shallow streams.
