| Zweifel's frog | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ranidae |
| Genus: | Lithobates |
| Species: | L. zweifeli
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| Binomial name | |
| Lithobates zweifeli | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Zweifel's frog (Lithobates zweifeli) is an amphibian species endemic in the family Ranidae, endemic to Mexico. It was described in 1984 and is primarily found in tropical seasonal forests at low elevations.[3]
Etymology
The specific name, zweifeli, honors American herpetologist Richard G. Zweifel.[2][4]
Habitat
Lithobates zweifeli inhabits tropical and subtropical forests at low elevations across southern Mexico, including the Balsas Depression and surrounding states such as Guerrero, Morelos, Michoacán, Puebla, México, Oaxaca, Jalisco, and Colima. It is typically found near permanent and temporary water bodies including streams, rivers, and ponds, which serve as breeding habitats.[1][5]
Conservation status
The species is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. However, local threats remain, particularly from habitat disturbance and the drying of aquatic systems necessary for breeding[1]
Taxonomy and Distribution
Lithobates zweifeli was formally described by Hillis, Frost, and Webb in 1984. The holotype locality is 12 km east of Teloloapan, Guerrero, Mexico. Its distribution is restricted to Mexico and it is regarded as endemic to the region. [6]
References
- ^ a b c IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Lithobates zweifeli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T58754A53972212. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T58754A53972212.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b Hillis DM, Frost JS, Webb RG (1984). "A new species of frog of the Rana tarahumarae group from southwestern Mexico". Copeia 1984 (2): 398–403. (Rana zweifeli, new species).
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Lithobates zweifeli (Hillis, Frost, and Webb, 1984)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
- ^ "Lithobates zweifeli (Hillis, Frost, and Webb, 1984) | Amphibian Species of the World". amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ^ https://www.conservationneeds.org/Assessment/AssessmentResults?speciesId=3113&countryId=91&assessmentId=5337
- ^ Hillis, D.M.; Frost, J.S.; Webb, R.G. (1984). "A New Species of Frog of the Rana tarahumarae Group from Southwestern Mexico." Copeia. 1984 (2): 398–403. PDF.
