First record on an amphibian in the canopy of temperate rainforests of southern South America: Eupsophus calcaratus (Cycloramphidae)

Abstract

We record for the first time arboreal habits in amphibians from the temperate rainforests of southern South America. In April 2006 we collected an individual of Eupsophus calcaratus at 16 m height, in a large Eucryphia cordifolia tree of old-growth forest of Chiloé Island, southern Chile. This species was considered until now as a terrestrial species, and the similarities between forest ground and epiphytic layer may allow this species inhabit the canopy. However, the level of association among these frogs and the forest canopy is unknown. The canopy of southern South America forests remains barely known, and as other forest canopies, may support high species diversity.