| Bainskloof moss frog | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Pyxicephalidae |
| Genus: | Arthroleptella |
| Species: | A. bicolor |
| Binomial name | |
| Arthroleptella bicolor Hewitt, 1926 | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
The Bainskloof moss frog (Arthroleptella bicolor), also known as Bainskloof chirping frog, is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to South Africa. [2] [3]
The Bainskloof moss frog was formerly considered conspecific with Arthroleptella lightfooti . [2]
The Bainskloof moss frog is a small frog which reaches a maximum length of 22 mm. The body is rather squat with short limbs and a rounded head. The background colour of its skin varies from orangey brown to black with darker patches and paler spots on the back and legs. [4]
The Bainskloof moss frog is endemic to Riviersonderend Mountains, Dutoitsberg, Elandskloof and Limietberg Mountains in Western Cape Province, South Africa. This species can be found between 300-2,000 m above sea level. The extent of this species total distribution is probably less than 20,000 km2. [1]
The Bainskloof moss frog favours wet mossy areas near watercourses, hillside or roadside seepages, and heavily vegetated streams, within montane fynbos and frequently on steep hillsides. Its known range is situated outside the 750mm isohyet. [1] [4]
The Bainskloof moss frog begins breeding at the onset of the winter rains [5] and the females lay small clutches of 8–10 eggs among moss or similar vegetation in seepages. The male frogs apparently guard the eggs as they call from the laying sites. The eggs hatch into fully formed tiny, 4mm, long froglets rather than tadpoles. [4] It mainly feeds on small invertebrates. [5]
This species is patchily distributed but widespread, in small discrete populations within the montane fynbos which is not a significantly fragmented habitat. The habitat of the Bainskloof Moss Frog lies mainly within protected areas, although even here it is threatened by the spread of pines and other alien species and too frequent bush fires. [1]
The Cape mountain toad or Rose's mountain toad is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. Other common names include Rose's mountain toadlet, striped mountain toad, Rose's toad, and Muizenberg Cape toad. It is endemic to South Africa, where its natural habitat is Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation known as fynbos. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Minyobates steyermarki is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae endemic to Cerro Yapacana in southern Venezuela. It is also known by the common names of demonic poison frog, demonic poison-arrow frog, or Yapacana's little red frog. It is monotypic in the genus Minyobates.
Breviceps fuscus, also known as black rain frog, plain rain frog, brown short-headed frog, and Tsitsikamma rainfrog, is a species of frogs in the family Brevicipitidae. It is endemic to the southern coast of South Africa.
The cape rain frog or giant rain frog is a species of frog in the family Brevicipitidae. Adults grow up to 45 mm in length. It was the first African frog species to be scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, under the name Rana gibbosa. It is the most common and largest of rain frogs. The name "rain frog" that is applied to the genus refers to a belief that these frogs bring rain.
Rose's rain frog or Rose's rainfrog is a species of frog in the family Brevicipitidae. It is endemic to the sandveld of south-western coastal South Africa. It is less-frequently known as Rose's short-headed frog, Rose's Blaasop, or the sand rain frog. Some treat Breviceps fasciatus as a synonym of this species, although other authorities have expressed doubt.
Arthroleptella is a genus of frogs known as moss frogs in the family Pyxicephalidae. The ten species of this genus are endemic to South Africa.
The Drewes' moss frog is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to Fernkloof Nature Reserve & nearby surroundings in South Africa. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The Landdros moss frog is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae.
Lightfoot's moss frog or the Cape Peninsula moss frog is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are temperate forest, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Anhydrophryne ngongoniensis, the Ngongoni moss frog, Natal bandit frog, or mistbelt chirping frog, is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to South Africa.
Arthroleptella subvoce is a species of frogs in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to South Africa and only known from the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, Western Cape. Common name northern moss frog has been coined for it. The specific name subvoce is Latin for "under voice" and refers to the very subdued male advertisement call of this frog.
The De Villiers' moss frog is a minute species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae, which is endemic to the Western Cape, South Africa. At around 22 mm (0.87 in) length, it is one of the smallest regional species, though larger than the micro frog.
The micro frog, or Cape Flats frog, is a species of frog less than 2 cm (0.8 in) long in the family Pyxicephalidae, in the monotypic genus Microbatrachella. Its color varies from rufous brown with dark mottling, to tan or green, depending on the population. It is endemic to the south-western Cape area of South Africa, with a single population found on the Cape Flats of Cape Town and several populations on the eastern side of False Bay. It typically lives in wetlands in coastal fynbos habitats, but its total area of occupancy is very small, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as being "critically endangered".
Poyntonia, is a monotypic frog genus in the family Pyxicephalidae. It was named after J.C. Poynton, a notable herpetologist who worked in southern Africa.
The banded stream frog, also known as the banded sand frog, Cape grass frog, Cape stream frog, long-toed frog, mountain frog or Jonkersberg frog, is a species of frogs in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to South Africa.
Strongylopus fasciatus, also known as the striped stream frog, striped grass frog, striped rana, striped long-toed frog or long-toed grass frog is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to southern Africa.
The Hewitt's ghost frog is a species of frog in the family Heleophrynidae. It is endemic to Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Its natural habitat is fynbos heathland and grassy fynbos. Adults are difficult to see but live in or near fast-flowing perennial rivers and streams where they also breed. Each female lays up to 200 eggs. Tadpoles are more readily seen and take two years to develop fully.
Natal diving frog, also known as the Natal diving frog, Boneberg's frog, or Kloof frog ), is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is the only species within the monotypic genus Natalobatrachus. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and rivers and it is threatened by habitat loss.
Arthroleptella rugosa is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to South Africa and only known from the Klein Swartberg Mountain, an inselberg near Caledon, Western Cape. The specific name rugosa is Latin for wrinkled or rough and refers to the rough appearance of this species as well as its rough sounding advertisement call. Accordingly, the common name rough moss frog has been suggested for it.
