Rana strausi
| Rana strausi Temporal range: Late Pliocene | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ranidae |
| Genus: | Rana |
| Species: | †R. strausi |
| Binomial name | |
| †Rana strausi Špinar, 1980 | |
Rana strausi is an extinct species of true frog from the late Pliocene discovered in Willershausen, Germany.[1]
Description
There was only one holotype, but the author used 6 specimens to get an accurate description. It has a relatively small skull relative to the body. The skull is also around 0,5 cm wider than it is long and ends in a somewhat pointy snout. It has a long spine consisting of 9 relatively long vertebrae. Males and females can be distinguished by the width of the pelvis; males have narrower pelvises than females. Some of the soft tissue has been preserved, including some pigmentation. The hindlimbs have dark, horizontal stripes; 5 stripes on the thigh and 4 on the calf.[1]
The eggs appeared pigmented and oval. However, the oval shape is likely caused by deformation, as a similar species (Common frog) produces round eggs.[1]
Etymology
Rana strausi is named after Dr. Adolf Straus because he, according to Špinar (the author), significantly helped expand the knowledge about fossils from the fossil-rich clay pit in Willershausen.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Špinar, Zdeněk (1980). "Fossile Raniden aus dem oberen Pliozän von Willershausen (Niedersachsen)" (PDF). Zobodat.