Pelophryne api

Api Dwarf Toad

                                                      

Pelophryne api is only known from limestone outcrops in northern Sarawak (Gunung Mulu National Park).

It is a dark brown to black toad with lighter markings, that may form faint dorsal and dorsolateral stripes. The legs are barred. The iris is mostly black, excepto for a small greenish-yellowish stripe in the upper and a similar smaller one in the lower iris, both neighboring the pupil. The webbing of hands and feet is fleshy and characteristic for the genus.

Size of adults: <20 mm snout-vent length.

Males call from limestone rocks of low vegetation with a high pitched call. Reproduction, diet, and ecology of this species are unknown. 

Tadpoles are unknown, however, we expect Pelophryne api to have a tadpole stage. These could be endotrophic as some other Pelophryne. More research is needed.