Telmatobius pefauri
species of amphibian
Telmatobius pefauri is a species of frog in the family Telmatobiidae. It is endemic to extreme northern Chile. It was already feared that this species is extinct, but recent research has suggested that the species is extant at several localities in the Arica y Parinacota Region, albeit at low numbers. Furthermore, morphological and genetic data suggest that Telmatobius zapahuirensis is a synonym of Telmatobius pefauri. Common name Arica water frog has been coined for this species.
Etymology
The specific name pefauri honours Jaime Eduardo Péfaur Vega, a Chilean ecologist and herpetologist and colleague of the authors who described the species.
Description
The holotype, an adult female, measured 75 mm (3.0 in) in snout–vent length. The head is large and the body is robust. The eyes are relatively large, positioned far forward on the head, and oriented forward. The tympanum is not visible.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “Telmatobius pefauri” is species of amphibian. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through Telmatobius, pefauri and species, not as a finished interpretation.
Why this record matters
The phrase “species of amphibian” supplies a clear boundary for inquiry. It also exposes the unanswered questions: who defined that boundary, when it became stable and which sources sit outside it.
The date and method of observation matter as much as the stated conclusion, especially where classification or consensus has changed. The source revision retrieved here is dated Apr 22, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q514683. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
Scientific names, classifications and consensus can change while older terminology persists in catalogues and historical literature. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Telmatobius pefauri”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Telmatobius pefauri primary sources, Telmatobius pefauri archive and Telmatobius research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Telmatobius pefauri”?
- Has classification or technical consensus changed since the cited source?
- Is the terminology current, historical or disputed?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Telmatobius pefauri” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.