| Arthroleptis tanneri | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Arthroleptidae |
| Genus: | Arthroleptis |
| Species: | A. tanneri |
| Binomial name | |
| Arthroleptis tanneri Grandison, 1983 [2] | |
Arthroleptis tanneri, the Tanzania screeching frog or Tanner's squeaker, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to the West Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania; previous records from elsewhere refer to other species. [1] [3]
The specific name tanneri honours Mr John Tanner, owner of a tea estate in Mazumbai, [4] (the type locality) "in recognition of the generosity and hospitality afforded the collectors and other zoologists and his keen interest in the natural history of Mazumbai." [2]
Males in the type series measure on average 34 mm (1.3 in) and females 51 mm (2.0 in) in snout–vent length. [2] With a maximum snout-vent length of 55 mm (2.2 in), it is the largest of the Arthroleptis species. [5] The body is stoutly built. The head is slightly broader than long, with snout rounded in dorsal view. The canthus rostralis is sharp. The tympanum is clearly visible. The toes are long, slender, and without webbing. The skin is usually smooth, although a juvenile had small scattered dorsal warts. The dorsum is claret-brown, with the chain of darker vertebral markings. The hands and feet are pinkish, especially from under. The upper half of iris is pale gold. [2]
Arthroleptis tanneri resembles Arthroleptis affinis in colouration and morphology, [2] but molecular data suggest that they are not closely related. [5]
The natural habitats of Arthroleptis tanneri are montane forests at elevations of 1,400–2,000 m (4,600–6,600 ft) above sea level. It is in a leaf-litter species that has not been recorded outside good-quality forest. [1] It is presumed to have direct development (i.e., no free-living tadpole stage), like all the other Arthroleptis species. [1] [5]
Population trends of this species are unknown but it is believed to be in decline because of habitat loss and deterioration, which are caused by expanding agriculture, wood extraction, and human settlements. The species occurs in the Mazumbai, Baga II, Shume-Magamba Forest Reserves, although all these would need further protection. In 2015 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed it as "Endangered" because of its small distribution area and the ongoing habitat loss and deterioration. [1]
Screeching Frogs all share a similar behavior that "scream" to startle predators off that can last up to 5 seconds and sounds often like a crying baby. They usually reside on the north-eastern mountains of West Usambara. [6] Feeding and mating most often takes place after a rainfall. During a sunny day they can be seen active under the shaded areas under trees. They will also fight with other males during breeding season to hold a territory to mate with a female. [7]
Arthroleptis is a genus of frogs in the family Arthroleptidae found in tropical sub-Saharan Africa. Their common names include screeching frogs, sometimes simply squeakers.
Arthroleptis adolfifriederici is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. Several common names have been coined for it, including Rugege Forest squeaker, Rugegewald squeaker, Adolf Friedrich's squeaker frog, and Adolf's squeaker.
Arthroleptis bivittatus is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to Guinea and only known from the holotype collected from the Tombo Island. It is uncertain whether this species is distinct from the common Arthroleptis poecilonotus. Common name Tumbo-Insel screeching frog has been coined for this species.
Arthroleptis carquejai is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is known with certainty only from north-western Angola, but there is also a recent record from Gabon. If this is correct, its distribution might also include intervening areas in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The specific name carquejai honours Bento Carqueja, Portuguese professor, journalist, and philanthropist. The common names Cambondo screeching frog and Carqueja's squeaker have been proposed for it.
Arthroleptis francei is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in Mount Mulanje in southern Malawi and in Mount Namuli and Mount Mabu in northern Mozambique. Records from the Zomba Massif (Malawi) require confirmation. Common names Ruo River screeching frog and France's squeaker have been coined for it.
Arthroleptis lameerei is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in northeastern Angola, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and western Burundi, though the exact range is poorly known. There is some doubt whether it is distinct from Arthroleptis xenochirus. The specific name lameerei honours Auguste Lameere, a Belgian entomologist. Common names Lameere's squeaker, Lameer's squeaker, and Katanga screeching frog have been coined for this species.
Arthroleptis nikeae, also known as Nike's squeaker, is a species of frogs in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to the Mafwemiro Reserve in the Rubeho Mountains of Tanzania. It was named after conservationist Nike Doggart, who first found it. With a maximum snout–vent length of 57 mm (2.2 in), it is among the largest Arthroleptis species.
Arthroleptis poecilonotus is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. This adaptable species has a wide range within the Sub-Saharan Africa and is not considered threatened.
Arthroleptis reichei is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the mountains of eastern and southern Tanzania and northern Malawi. It has several vernacular names: Poroto screeching frog, large-toad squeaker, Poroto Mountains screeching frog, and Reiche's squeaker. The specific name reichei honours Karl Friedrich Reiche, a German botanist.
Arthroleptis schubotzi, also known as the Burundi screeching frog, Schubotz's squeaker, and Kivu dwarf litter frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the African Rift Valley in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kivu), southwestern Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and western Uganda. There are taxonomic problems in delimiting this species.
Arthroleptis variabilis is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the lowlands of eastern Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Earlier records west from Nigeria refer to other species, including Arthroleptis krokosua described in 2008. Common names Buea screeching frog and variable squeaker frog have been coined for it.
Arthroleptis vercammeni, also known as the Mwana screeching frog or Vercammen's squeaker, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and is only known from its type locality at Mwana in Mwenga Territory, South Kivu province. The specific name vercammeni honours Paul-Henry Vercammen-Grandjean, entomologist and virologist from France/Belgium.
Arthroleptis xenodactyloides, also known as the dwarf squeaker or Chirinda screeching frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and Malawi, central Mozambique, and eastern Zambia northwards to northeastern Tanzania and the Taita Hills of Kenya; it probably occurs in adjacent Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its natural habitats are lowland and montane forests, dense woodlands, grasslands, and swamps. It is locally threatened by habitat loss.
Arthroleptis xenodactylus is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to eastern Tanzania. Its natural habitats are lowland and montane forests where it occurs in leaf-litter, under logs, and in the axils of banana leaves. It is a locally common species that is threatened by habitat loss.
Cardioglossa oreas is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to Cameroon and known from the Western High Plateau between Mount Oku and the Bamboutos Mountains. Records from Mount Manengouba refer to Cardioglossa manengouba.
Cardioglossa schioetzi is a species of frogs in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the mountains of Cameroon and eastern Nigeria. Specifically, it has been recorded from the Oshie-Obudu Range, Gotel Mountains, Mount Oku, and Mount Mbam. It is a generally poorly known species.
The plain squeaker or Marimba screeching frog is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, and Zambia, and possibly in the adjacent Tanzania. Its natural habitats are open grassland near streams, and forest patches. It can also occur on the edge of plantations and in rural gardens. It is very common frog in suitable habitats, and there are no significant threats to this adaptable species.
Hyperolius tanneri is a species of frogs in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to the West Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania. Common name Tanner's reed frog has been coined for this species.
Arthroleptis nlonakoensis is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to southwestern Cameroon and known from its type locality, the eponymous Mount Nlonako, and from two other locations in southwestern Cameroon. Common name Nlonako squeaker has been proposed for it.
Arthroleptis palava, also known as the problem squeaker frog or simply problem squeaker, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the highlands of northern Cameroon and eastern Nigeria. The specific name palava is a Central/West-African pidgin word meaning "problem" and alludes to the past confusion of this species with the morphologically similar Arthroleptis poecilonotus.
