Austrochaperina aquilonia is a species of frogs in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to the Sandaun Province, north-western Papua New Guinea. It is only known from two nearby locations in the Torricelli Mountains: Mount Somoro (type locality) and from the village of Wilbeite.[1][2][3] The specific name aquilonia is a Latin adjective meaning "northern" and refers to the range of this species in the north coast mountains of New Guinea.[2]
Austrochaperina aquilonia is only known from two specimens, both adult males: the holotype (collected by Jared Diamond) measuring 31 mm (1.2 in) in snout–vent length, and the paratype (collected by Tim Flannery) measuring 23 mm (0.91 in). It is a relatively slender-bodied species with a bluntly pointed snout. The hands are relatively small and have small finger discs. The toes are unwebbed. The dorsum is pale graybrown with darker brown irregular spotting and mottling.[2]
Habitat data are missing[2] but Austrochaperina aquilonia is believed to be a forest inhabitant. The specimens were collected somewhere between 730 and 1,420 m (2,400 and 4,660 ft) above sea level.[1] There are no known threats to this little known species.[1]
Austrochaperina aquilonia is a species of frogs in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to the Sandaun Province, north-western Papua New Guinea. It is only known from two nearby locations in the Torricelli Mountains: Mount Somoro (type locality) and from the village of Wilbeite. The specific name aquilonia is a Latin adjective meaning "northern" and refers to the range of this species in the north coast mountains of New Guinea.
class=notpageimage| Known range of Austrochaperina aquilonia in New Guinea
