Kurixalus berylliniris

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Kurixalus berylliniris is a small tree frog species found only in eastern Taiwan, at moderate elevations. It was described as a distinct species in 2016 after previously being confused with Kurixalus eiffingeri. The name berylliniris comes from the green color of its iris.

Classification: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Amphibia, Order Anura, Family Rhacophoridae, Genus Kurixalus. The scientific name is Kurixalus berylliniris.

What it looks like: Adult males are about 29–42 mm long, females 28–46 mm. The body is slender and a bit flattened; the head is wider than it is long. The snout is pointed, the canthus rostralis is curved, and the tympanum (ear opening) is visible. Fingers and toes have discs, with the fingers slightly webbed and toes half-webbed. The skin on the back is granular with small bumps. There are two color forms: dark and light. The dark form ranges from dark green to deep tan with a black X-shaped blotch; the light form is emerald green with a faint X pattern. The iris is emerald to light green, and the belly is cream with tiny black spots around the throat.

Where it lives: This frog occurs on the eastern slopes of Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range and Coastal Mountain Range, in moist broad-leaf forests and along forest edges, from about 225 to 1,250 meters above sea level. It is arboreal, meaning it spends a lot of time in trees.

Reproduction: Eggs and tadpoles have been found in small pools in decaying trunks of tree ferns (Cyathea spinulosa). The tadpoles are oophagous, feeding on eggs.

How it differs from related species: Kurixalus berylliniris is similar to Kurixalus eiffingeri but has some different physical traits and a different breeding season. Its DNA and the calls of breeding males also distinguish it from K. eiffingeri and from K. wangi, its closest relative. These three form a distinct lineage separate from Kurixalus idiootocus, another Taiwanese species.

Conservation status and threats: The species is listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN. Threats are not well known. While deforestation has slowed in Taiwan, the loss of tree holes used for breeding could threaten the frogs. It is not known to occur in any protected area.