Niceforo's marsupial frog
# Niceforo's marsupial frog

Gastrotheca nicefori (common name: Niceforo's marsupial frog) is a species of frog in the family Hemiphractidae. It is found in the Andes of Colombia (the three cordilleras: Cordillera Occidental, Cordillera Central, and Cordillera Oriental), on the Andean slopes of northern Venezuela, and in the highlands of eastern and central Panama.

## Etymology

The specific name nicefori honors Brother Nicéforo María [fr], a priest and naturalist of French origin.

## Description

Adult males grow to 73 mm (2.9 in) and females to 82 mm (3.2 in) in snout–vent length. The dorsum is light brown, with the sides being darker than the upper surface. Its coloration may get lighter during the day. The ventrum is light grey or greyish brown. The finger and toe discs are relatively large. The fingers and toes and lightly webbed.

The male advertisement call consists of a number of chicken-like "clucks". The female carries the eggs in a pouch on her back. The development is direct.

## Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are lowland forests and montane cloud forests at elevations of 400–2,400 m (1,300–7,900 ft) above sea level. It can also survive in disturbed cloud forest. It is an arboreal species living in forest canopy.

It is an abundant species that can be locally threatened by pollution from the spraying of illegal crops. It occurs in several protected areas through its range.

