| Hispaniolan yellow tree frog | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Osteopilus |
| Species: | O. pulchrilineatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Osteopilus pulchrilineatus (Cope, 1870) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Hispaniolan yellow tree frog (Osteopilus pulchrilineatus), or common treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Hispaniola, where it is found in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. [2]
Adult Hispaniola yellow tree frogs can grow to be about 43 mm for females, while the males tend to be slightly smaller and only grow to be about 39 mm. They have 3 dorsal lines that can be yellow, tan, green, or brown that are used to most easily identify the species. [3] The lower sides of the frog are usually yellow in color as well. They can be active during the night when temperatures range from 24-27 °C. [3] The Osteopilus genus tend to follow a generalist diet and usually choose prey based on their size [4]
Osteopilus pulchrilineatus is one of four endemic species to Hispaniola and can only survive in a specific set of environmental conditions. [5] Its natural habitats are mesic broadleaf forests, riparian forests (including forest remnants), mangrove forests, grasslands, and marshes. It can also be found in agricultural landscapes (e.g., rice plantations, coffee and cacao plantations, and in the presence of livestock). Osteopilus pulchrilineatus is known to have at least six different breeding habitats, most of which are marine like habitats. These include vegetative ponds with nearby open grassland, ponds in mountainous areas that have a small area, streams in mountain forests, ephemeral pools in forested areas, pools found within rice fields, and rivers and streams of forested areas. [3] Males are known to call in flooded pools after heavy rains. [1] The estimated area that Osteopilus pulchrilineatus is said to inhabit ranges from 1,3000 km2 to 2,000 km2 and elevations up to almost 1,700 km2. [6]
The species was listed on the IUCN Red List as endangered until April 2012, when a new evaluation reduced the species to vulnerable. Their population is currently declining to the point that they are at risk for extirpation within the next decade. The frog exists in highly fragmented populations. [7] Even though it is found in modified habitats, its persistence seems to depend on forests and/or wetlands as the core habitat, making it vulnerable to further habitat loss. [1]
The biggest threat to this species is habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. There are both human and natural factors that lead to these threats to its populations. Some of these include residential development, mining, invasive species and diseases, habitat loss due ranching and wood logging. [7] Habitat loss for agriculture, usually for the production of sugarcane, is another huge threat to tree frogs in the region. [5] Another threat to their populations comes from the decline in stream quality in Hispaniola from these human activities. In 2011, the Caribbean Amphibian Ark Conservation Needs Assessment found that the frog populations needed more in-situ conservation action if they are to survive long term. [3] More specifically, preserving the forests and wetlands that the species is known to inhabit within the region. [5] The species is not known to be threatened by trade or captivity. [7]
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.
The Copan brook frog is a species of frog in the family Hylidae found in northeastern Guatemala and northwestern Honduras, specifically in the Sierra del Merendón, Sierra de Omoa, Sierra de Caral, and Sierra Espíritu Santo ranges. The colouring of this species is very distinctive and the specific name soralia comes from the resemblance of its markings to the vegetative structures on some crustose lichens.
Dryophytes arboricola, commonly known as the arboreal treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to the Sierra Madre del Sur in Guerrero state, Mexico.
The bird-voiced tree frog is a species of frog in the family Hylidae, endemic to the United States. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, shrub-dominated wetlands, and swamps.
The Pilalo tree frog is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and rivers. It has been observed between 2300 and 2600 meters above sea level. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The Los Bracitos tree frog, or Hispaniolan green treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Hispaniola and found below 1,856 m (6,089 ft) asl. The species was named in honour of professor Angelo Heilprin who funded the expedition that this species was discovered on.
Isthmohyla lancasteri is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to humid premontane slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica and western Panama.
The Jamaican laughing frog is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to Jamaica. Other common names include Savanna-la-Mar treefrog.
The Jamaican snoring frog, or Harlan's Antilles frog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to central Jamaica. Its natural habitats are mesic broadleaf woods and forests with large dead trees. It can be found on tree trunks and in bromeliads; males call from hollows in branches and bromeliads. Eggs are laid in bromeliads. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The Hispaniolan common tree frog, Hispaniolan laughing tree frog, or Dominican tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to the island of Hispaniola.
The yellow bromeliad frog, or Spaldings tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to central Jamaica. Its natural habitats are old-growth pine and deciduous forests where it is found in bromeliads. Eggs are also laid in bromeliads. It is threatened by habitat loss (deforestation).
The Hispaniolan giant tree frog, or Hispaniola tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Hispaniola, found in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The green bromeliad frog, or Wilder's treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Jamaica. Its natural habitats are closed-canopy forests where it occurs in terrestrial and arboreal bromeliads. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Phytotriades is a genus of tree frogs in the family Hylidae. As currently delimited, the genus is monotypic and contains Phytotriades auratus, commonly known as the golden tree frog, bromeliad-dwelling treefrog, El Tucuche golden tree frog, or Trinidad heart-tongued frog.
Sarcohyla bistincta, also known as the Mexican fringe-limbed treefrog or Cope's streamside treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to Mexico; it is widespread and occurs from southern Sinaloa and Durango southeastward to Veracruz and Oaxaca. The nominal Sarcohyla bistincta consists of several lineages that may eventually be described as distinct species.
Sarcohyla cyanomma, also known as the blue-eyed aquatic treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to Mexico and only known from the northern slope of Cerro Pelón, in Sierra de Juárez in northern Oaxaca. It is feared that the species might be extinct.
Sarcohyla mykter, also known as the keelsnout treefrog or keel-snouted treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to the Sierra Madre del Sur in Guerrero, Mexico. Its sister species is Sarcohyla chryses.
Sarcohyla sabrina, also known as the Sierra Juarez treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to the northern slopes of Sierra de Juárez in northern Oaxaca, Mexico. The specific name sabrina is Latin for river nymph and refers to the close association of this species with streams.
Leptopelis flavomaculatus is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the lowlands eastern and southern Africa, from Mozambique north of the Save River and Zimbabwe to Malawi, eastern Tanzania, and coastal Kenya. Its common names are yellow-spotted tree frog, brown-backed tree frog, brown forest treefrog, and Johnston's treefrog.
The Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog or painted robber frog is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to Hispaniola and found in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its natural habitats are dry scrub forest, mesic broadleaf forest, and secondary forest. It is a terrestrial frog that lays its eggs on the ground. It is threatened by habitat loss.
