Gastrotheca gracilis, commonly known as the La Banderita marsupial frog, is a species of frog in the family Hemiphractidae. It is found in northwestern Argentina and possibly Bolivia.
Habitat It dwells in the Southern Andean Yungas montane forests and adjacent high-altitude Central Andean puna grasslands of Catamarca and Tucumán provinces in northwestern Argentina, from in elevation. It known from five locations, and it has an estimated extent of occurrence of 1,407 km2.
Adults dwell in tree crowns, tree holes, and rock crevices.
Scientists have reported this frog in protected places: Campo de los Alisos National Park and Los Sosa Provincial Reserve.
Reproduction During amplexus (breeding), male frogs place eggs in a marsupial pouch on the female's back. The eggs hatch and the larvae develop in the pouch. The females later deposit the larvae in seasonal or intermittent pools and streams to complete their metamorphosis.
Threats It assessed as Endangered and is threatened by habitat loss associated with deforestation and wildfires. In 2014, a large number of pigs entered Los Sosa Provincial Reserve and caused significant larval mortality.
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