Golden shrub frog (Pseudophilautus auratus)

English: Golden shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus auratus
Sinhala: රන්වන් පඳුරු මැඩියා [Ranwan panduru madiya]

Pseudophilautus auratus is an endemic species shrub frogs restricted to the wet zone forests of Sri Lanka. It is considered to be rare and commonly seen in higher elevations (513-1270m) of Sinharaja world heritage site, such as Morningside and Sooriyakanda forest reserves. Color of the body is highly variable and can be seen in yellow, pink or brownish pink. Latin species name “auratus” is an allusion to the golden skin color. Breeding of this amphibian does not depend on water and it takes place by direct development. IUCN Red List status of this frog is “Endangered”. Deforestation and agricultural activities are said to be the main threats.

References:

• Manamendra-Arachchi, K., and Pethiyagoda, R. (2005). ''The Sri Lankan shrub-frogs of the genus Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Ranidae: Rhacophorinae), with description of 27 new species.'' Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Supplement 12, 163-303. 
• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm) 2015-4 - http://www.iucnredlist.org 
• Manamendra-Arachchi, K. & R. Pethiyagoda (2006): Sri Lankan amphibians [in Sinhala]. – WHT Publications, Colombo.