Forest Digging Frog

A small terrestrial microhylid, 25-32 mm. Colouration in life is unknown. In preservative, the colouration is reminescent of Plethodontohyla notosticta. The back is brownish, with irregular long dark markings, often running from the centre of the back backwards to the flanks. The markings are sometimes bordered by a narrow white line. The tympanic region is brownish and there are two circular black spots on the inguinal region. Venter yellowish, with dark markings, especially on the throat. Skin on the back smooth to slightly granular. Tympanum distinct, tympanum/eye ratio is 1/2-2/3. Tibiotarsal articulation reaches insertion of arms or tympanum. Fingertips not enlarged. Finger 2 as long as finger 4. Hands and feet both without webbing. Males have a single subgular vocal sac (Glaw and Vences 1994).Confusion is possible with juvenile P. ocellata and P. notosticta (Glaw and Vences 1994).Taken with permission from Glaw and Vences (1994 and 2007) and Nussbuam et. al (2008).

Occurs in Andasibe, Andohahela, Andringitra (Sahavatoy river, Volotsangana river), Fivahona, Foulpointe, Ivohibe, Malahelo, Manantantely, Mandena, Sainte Luce (Glaw and Vences 2007) from sea level up to 800 m asl (Nussbaum et. al 2008).

It is a fossorial and terrestrial species of rainforest, including in somewhat degraded habitats. Its breeding is unknown, though it is likely to be by larval development out of water, possibly underground, or in leaf axils, or in tree holes (Nussbaum et. al 2008).

Listed as least concern because of its wide distribution, tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category (Nussbaum et. al 2008).Though it occurs in many protected areas, its forest habitat is receding due to subsistence agriculture, timber extraction, charcoal manufacture and invasive spread of eucalyptus, livestock grazing and expanding human settlements (Nussbaum et. al 2008).

Plethodontohyla bipunctata is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.