Elevational range extension of the marsupial frog, Gastrotheca marsupiata (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) (Anura, Hemiphractidae), from southern Peru

Abstract

We extend by 300 m the known upper elevational range of the Marsupial frog, Gastrotheca marsupiata (Dumeril & Bibron, 1841), to 4,660 m a.s.l. This record makes G. marsupiata the highest occurring frog in its genus, which is already characterized by high-elevation distributions. We suggest that this record may represent a case of climate-induced range shifting and discuss this record in the context of our still limited understanding of how amphibian distributions are being affected by climate change.