Callimedusa tomopterna

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Callimedusa tomopterna
Tiger-striped Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa tomopterna) (10377591806).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Subfamily: Phyllomedusinae
Genus: Callimedusa
Species:
C. tomopterna
Binomial name
Callimedusa tomopterna
(Cope, 1868)
Synonyms [2]
  • Pithecopus tomopternus Cope, 1868
  • Pithecopus tomopterma Cope, 1868
  • Phyllomedusa tomopterna (Cope, 1868)

Callimedusa tomopterna, the tiger-striped tree frog, is a species of frog in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae. It is found in northern South America in the Upper Amazon Basin of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, Amazonian Brazil, and the Guianas from southeastern Venezuela to French Guiana. It might represent more than one species. [2]

Contents

Appearance

Adult males measure 44 mm (1.7 in) to 54 mm (2.1 in) in snout-vent length while adult female are larger at 60 mm (2.4 in). Its skin is green with orange pigmentation on the flanks and legs. The irises are silver or gray in color. [3]

Habitat

Tiger-striped tree frog Tiger-striped Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa tomopterna) (10377329246).jpg
Tiger-striped tree frog

The tiger-striped tree frog is an arboreal species that occurs in pristine tropical rainforests, usually on trees around temporary to semi-temporary pools during the wet season, but specimens have been also collected in open areas and floodable forests on shrubs and aquatic edges. [1]

It occurs at elevations up to 500 m (1,600 ft) above sea level. It is an uncommon species in most parts of its range. It can locally suffer from habitat loss. [1]

Behaviour and reproduction

Amplexus Callimedusa tomopterna 361821921.jpg
Amplexus

Tiger-striped tree frogs are nocturnal and sleep throughout the day. At night, males are able to communicate to females through vocal calls. Nighttime is also when they search for food. [4] The reproductive aspects reported for the species of this family are marked by the uniqueness of egg deposition, placed on green leaves hanging under standing water, where the tadpoles will complete their development. [4] The lack of availability of sites for reproduction can lead to sites being shared by different frog species, which can sometimes lead to interspecific mating. This is especially seen when males are actively looking for females through satellite behaviour or have limited capacity to differentiate between sexes. This is an often-common behaviour in many neotropical frogs such as the tiger-striped tree frog. Studies have shown interspecific amplexus between individuals from two different species: specifically, Callimedusa tomopterna (tiger-striped tree frog) and Dendropsophus minutus (lesser treefrog). [5]

Threats

Clutch Predation

In the Central Amazonia, tree frogs of the genus Phyllomedusa lay their eggs in gelatinous masses on leaves and branches over water. 59% of tiger-striped tree frog clutches are often attacked by predators such as phorid flies (being the majorly responsible for clutch loss), and other unidentified predators. The reason for these clutch predations is mostly due to Anuran eggs being a high-protein energy source for many predators such as insects. They are especially notorious for larvae. [6]

Adult Predation

Adult tiger-striped tree frogs are also highly predated on. Studies have shown that the predation of adult Phyllomedusa tree frogs by the snake species, Leptodeira annulata (cat-eyed snake) reinforces the claim that the toxins that tiger-striped tree frogs are able to secrete for defence are insufficient to protect them from the cat-eyed snakes. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hylidae</span> Family of frogs

Hylidae is a wide-ranging family of frogs commonly referred to as "tree frogs and their allies". However, the hylids include a diversity of frog species, many of which do not live in trees, but are terrestrial or semiaquatic.

<i>Agalychnis callidryas</i> Species of amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas, commonly known as the red-eyed tree frog or red-eyed leaf frog, is a species of frog in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae. It is one of the most recognizable frogs. It is native to forests from Central America to north-western South America. This species is known for its bright coloration, namely its vibrant green body with blue and yellow stripes on the side. It has a white underside, brightly red and orange colored feet, and is named after its distinctive bright red eyes. One particular and special feature of the frogs coloration is its exceptional high reflectance in the near-infrared.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American green tree frog</span> Species of amphibian

The American green tree frog is a common arboreal species of New World tree frog belonging to the family Hylidae. This nocturnal insectivore is moderately sized and has a bright green to reddish-brown coloration. Commonly found in the central and southeastern United States, the frog lives in open canopy forests with permanent water sources and abundant vegetation. The American green tree frog is strictly aquatic during the hibernating and mating seasons. When defending its territory, the frog either emits aggressive call signals or resolves to grapple with intruders, seldom leading to injury or death. To avoid predation, the frog will leap into the water or jump into the treetops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese tree frog</span> Amphibian species from East Asia

Hyla japonica, commonly known as the Japanese tree frog, is a species of anuran native to Japan, China, and Korea. H. japonica is unique in its ability to withstand extreme cold, with some individuals showing cold resistance at temperatures as low as −30 °C for up to 120 days. H. japonica are not currently facing any notable risk of extinction and are classified by the IUCN as a species of "least concern". Notably, H. japonica have been sent to space in a study that explored the effect of microgravity on H. japonica. Hyla japonica is synonymous with Dryophytes japonicus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fletcher's frog</span> Species of amphibian

Fletcher's frog, commonly known as the sandpaper frog or black-soled frog, is a species of nocturnal, terrestrial frog native to eastern Australia. It is primarily found in wet sclerophyll forests along mountain ranges and the coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squirrel tree frog</span> Species of amphibian

The squirrel tree frog is a small species of tree frog found in the southeastern United States, from Texas to Virginia. This is an introduced species in the Bahamas. Squirrel tree frogs are small frogs, about 1.5 inches in length as adults. There are several color variations, but most commonly they are green and look very much like the American green tree frog. They can also be varying shades of yellow or brown, sometimes with white or brown blotching.

<i>Phyllomedusa bicolor</i> Species of amphibian

Phyllomedusa bicolor, the giant leaf frog, bicolor tree-frog, giant monkey frog, or waxy-monkey treefrog, is a species of leaf frog. It can be found in the Amazon basin of Brazil, Colombia (Amazonas), Bolivia, and Peru, and can also be found in the Guianan Region of Venezuela and the Guianas, and in Cerrado of the state of Maranhão in Brazil.

<i>Phyllomedusa sauvagii</i> Species of amphibian

Phyllomedusa sauvagii, the waxy monkey leaf frog or waxy monkey tree frog, is a species of frog in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. This species is arboreal, living in the vegetation of the Gran Chaco.

<i>Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni</i> Species of amphibian

Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni, also known as Fleischmann's glass frog or the northern glass frog, is a species of frog in the family Centrolenidae. It is found in the tropical Americas from southern Mexico to Ecuador. Specifically, these frogs occur in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. It has often been confused with related species, and the exact distribution depends on the source. This frog tends to have green skin, pale yellowish spots, yellow fingertips and translucent skin covering its stomach.

<i>Dendropsophus branneri</i> Species of frog from Brazil

Dendropsophus branneri is a small hylid tree frog endemic to the Atlantic Forest region of Brazil. It feeds mainly on arthropods and is preyed upon by various invertebrates and vertebrates. Although currently classified by the IUCN Redlist as "least concern", D. branneri suffers rapid habitat loss due to residential development, agriculture, logging, and clearing for pastureland. Male D. branneri are noted for their fighting call, which differs significantly in frequency, duration, and pulses per call compared to their mate advertisement call. Males are also noted for their willingness to escalate physical altercations against other males, which includes kicking, pushing, and wrestling their opponent into non-dominant positions. Unlike most other frog species, D. branneri can breed in both temporary and permanent pools allowing it to inhabit a wide variety of habitats leading to its wide distribution.

<i>Dendropsophus ebraccatus</i> Species of amphibian

Dendropsophus ebraccatus, also known as the hourglass treefrog, referring to the golden-brown hourglass shape seen surrounded by skin yellow on its back. Their underbellies are yellow. Their arms and lower legs usually display bold patterns while their upper legs or thighs are light yellow giving them the appearance of wearing no pants. The species name "ebraccata" translates to "without trousers" in Latin.

<i>Dendropsophus minutus</i> Species of frog

Dendropsophus minutus is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In Spanish it is known as ranita amarilla común.

<i>Dendropsophus phlebodes</i> Species of frog

Dendropsophus phlebodes, the San Carlos treefrog or San Carlos dwarf treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is found in western Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, but it may also occur in disturbed habitats. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosenberg's tree frog</span> Species of amphibian

Rosenberg's treefrog, also known as Rosenberg's gladiator frog or Rosenberg's gladiator treefrog, is a species of frog in the family of tree frogs (Hylidae) and genus of gladiator frogs (Boana) found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and north-western Ecuador. Its scientific name is a testimony to Mr. W. F. H. Rosenberg who collected the type series, and its common name refers to the aggressiveness of males of the species.

<i>Pithecopus rohdei</i> Species of frog

Pithecopus rohdei, also known as Rohde's leaf frog, Rohde's frog, and Mertens' leaf frog, is a species of frog in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae. The species was previously placed in the genus Phyllomedusa. The species is endemic to southeastern Brazil and occurs at elevations up to 1000 meters above sea level.

<i>Phyllomedusa trinitatis</i> Species of frog

Phyllomedusa trinitatis is a species of frog in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae. It is found in Venezuela and the island of Trinidad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panama cross-banded tree frog</span> Species of amphibian

The Panama cross-banded tree frog or pug-nosed tree frog is a species of frog in the family Hylidae found in the humid Pacific lowlands of southwestern Costa Rica to eastern Panama and in the Caribbean lowlands of Panama and northern Colombia. Males of the species utilize synchronous calling to hide their position from predators. Females create basins during amplexus and deposit fertilized eggs onto the surface of the water.

<i>Lithodytes</i> Genus of amphibians

Lithodytes is a genus of frogs in the family of Leptodactylidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species, Lithodytes lineatus, also commonly known as the gold-striped frog or painted antnest frog. It is found in tropical South America where it lives in humid forests among the leaf litter. These frogs build foam nests at the edge of temporary pools, and the tadpoles develop within these. The frogs also associate with certain leafcutter ants and breed inside their nests without being attacked by the ants.

<i>Stefania evansi</i> Species of frog

Stefania evansi is a species of frog in the family Hemiphractidae. Stefania evansi is, along with other closely related frogs, known for its unusual reproductive mode where females carry the eggs and juveniles on their back. It is sometimes known under common names Groete Creek carrying frog, Groete Creek treefrog, or Evans' stefania. These names refer to its type locality, Groete Creek in the region Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Guyana, where the holotype was collected by one Dr. R. Evans.

References

  1. 1 2 3 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2023). "Tiger-striped Leaf Frog: Callimedusa tomopterna". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2023. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: e.T55866A61406672. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T55866A61406672.en . Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Callimedusa tomopterna (Cope, 1868)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  3. Albertina P. Lima; William E. Magnusson; Marcelo Menin; Luciana K. Erdtmann; Domingos J. Rodrigues; Claudia Keller; Walter Hödl (November 27, 2007). "Calllimedusa tomopterna". AmphibiaWeb. Amphibiaweb. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Thainá, Najar; Ferrante, Lucas. "The journey of life of the Tiger-striped Leaf Frog Callimedusa tomopterna (Cope, 1868): Notes of sexual behaviour, nesting and reproduction in the Brazilian Amazon". Herpetology Notes. 11: 531–538.
  5. Marin, Gliselle; Nissen, Bradley; Janssen, Jordi. "CALLIMEDUSA TOMOPTERNA (Tiger-striped Leaf Frog) and DENDROPSOPHUS MINUTUS (Lesser Treefrog) INTERSPECIFIC AMPLEXUS". Herpetological Review. 48: 605–606.
  6. Neckel-Oliveira, Selvino; Wachlevski, Milena (2004). "Predation on the Arboreal Eggs of Three Species of Phyllomedusa in Central Amazônia". Journal of Herpetology. 38 (2): 244–248. doi:10.1670/162-03A. ISSN   0022-1511. S2CID   86277566.
  7. Roberto dos Santos-Silva, Carlos; Santana-Andrade, Igor-Caio; Ferrari, Stephen; Araújo, Maria Nélia. "Predation of six anuran species by the banded cat-eyed snake, Leptodeira annulate (Serpentes:Dipsadidae), in the Caatinga scrub of northeastern Bahia, Brazil". Herpetology Notes. 7: 123–126. S2CID   85631653.