Three adult males in the type series measure 13.5–13.9 mm (0.5–0.5 in) in snout–vent length; females were not reported. The snout is obtusely pointed. The tympanum is distinct and vertically elongated. The finger tips have discs with circum-marginal grooves; there is no webbing nor dermal fringes. The toes are webbed and bear discs with circum-marginal grooves. The head and body are dorsally pale brown. There are about eight dark-brown stripes of varying width on the dorsum and a dark-brown stripe about as wide as pupil running from the snout through the pupil backward to the flank, fading away on mid-flank. The lower parts are white with some scattered brown pigment.[2]
Habitat and conservation
Pseudophilautus tanu occurs in forest-edges in open shrub areas of the lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka, 24–45 m (79–148 ft) above sea level.[1] Males have been found sitting on leaves of shrubs about 0.5–1 m (2–3 ft) above the ground.[2]
Pseudophilautus tanu is a common species within its habitat.[1] In Kanneliya, it was the most common species in the fern-dominated habitat, along with Pseudophilautus hoipollo.[4] Nevertheless, unprotected forest edge areas are under constant pressure from human activities.[1]
