Hyperolius frontalis

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Hyperolius frontalis
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Genus: Hyperolius
Species:
H. frontalis
Binomial name
Hyperolius frontalis
Laurent, 1950

Hyperolius frontalis is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, from northwest of Mount Rwenzori, south to west of Lake Kivu, extending into extreme south-western Uganda in the Bwindi Forest. Common names Bushoho reed frog and white-snouted reed frog have been coined for this species. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Description

Adult males measure 25–29 mm (1.0–1.1 in) in snout–vent length. The dorsum is bright translucent green with some mottling. The snout bears a conspicuous light golden triangle. A light, brief, broad dorsolateral stripe is sometimes present, occasionally extending further back than the shoulder region. Calling males have green vocal sac. [3] [4]

The male advertisement call is a brief, hard buzzing that is repeated two–three times. [3] [4]

Habitat and conservation

Hyperolius frontalis occurs in lowland and montane forest at elevations of 700–2,000 m (2,300–6,600 ft) above sea level. It has been recorded in dense secondary vegetation overhanging a small stream and in a small marsh in forest. Breeding habitat is unknown, but presumably the larvae are aquatic. It appears to be common within its range. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by agriculture activities, wood extraction, and expanding human settlements. It occurs in the Bwindi National Park in Uganda and in the Virunga National Park and—possibly—Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Related Research Articles

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Hyperolius diaphanus is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and is known from near the Itombwe Mountains and the mountains to the west of Lake Kivu. Limits of its range are not clear and might extend into the adjacent Burundi and Rwanda. Common names Kigulube reed frog and translucent reed frog have been proposed for this species.

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<i>Hyperolius ocellatus</i> Species of amphibian

Hyperolius ocellatus is a species of tropical West African frog in the family Hyperoliidae, that is split into the subspecies H. o. ocellatus and H. o. purpurescens. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Uganda, and possibly Rwanda. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, rivers, intermittent freshwater marshes, freshwater springs, rural gardens, heavily degraded former forest, ponds, and canals and ditches.

<i>Hyperolius picturatus</i> Species of frog

Hyperolius picturatus is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in northern and eastern Sierra Leone, southern Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana; its range might extend to Togo. Common names coined for this species are Tanzania reed frog and variable montane sedge frog.

Hyperolius schoutedeni is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is known from the northern half of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, central-west and southeastern Republic of the Congo, and southeastern Gabon; its true range probably extends into the adjacent Central African Republic and South Sudan. It is morphologically very similar to Hyperolius cinnamomeoventris and has been confused with that species. However, molecular data suggests that its closest relatives include Hyperolius kivuensis, Hyperolius balfouri, and Hyperolius quinquevittatus, rather than H. cinnamomeoventris.

<i>Hyperolius tuberculatus</i> Species of amphibian

Hyperolius tuberculatus is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. Its common name is rainforest reed frog. It ranges from the southeastern Nigeria to the Central Africa in Cameroon, western Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is also likely to occur in the Cabinda enclave of Angola.

Hyperolius vilhenai is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is only known from its type locality, Cuílo, along the Luita River in northern Angola, although it is likely to occur in adjacent Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additional specimens from the Cangandala National Park have been provisionally assigned to this species. The specific name vilhenai honours Ernesto Jardim de Vilhena, a Portuguese naval officer, politician, and businessman. Common names Luita River reed frog and Vilhena's reed frog have been proposed for this frog.

Hyperolius wermuthi is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in Ivory Coast, southern Guinea, and Liberia. The correct name for this species is likely Hyperolius soror. It is so similar to Hyperolius fusciventris that it has likely been overlooked elsewhere in West Africa. Common name Wermuth's reed frog has been coined for this species.

Leptopelis christyi, also known as the Christy's tree frog or Christy's forest treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is known with confidence from eastern and northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, southern and western Uganda, and northwestern Tanzania. It is likely to occur in Burundi and Rwanda, possibly ranging further in East Africa. There is an isolated population in Cameroon and Gabon that might represent a distinct species. The specific name christyi honours Dr. Cuthbert Christy, a British army doctor who collected the holotype.

<i>Leptopelis kivuensis</i> Species of amphibian

Leptopelis kivuensis is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the highlands of western Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, and in the extreme eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has been considered synonym of Leptopelis karissimbensis, and has been confused with that species. Common names Kisenyi forest treefrog and Kivu tree frog have been coined for it.

Phrynobatrachus versicolor is a species of frog in the family Phrynobatrachidae. It is found in northwestern Burundi, western Rwanda, southwestern Uganda, and adjacent eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Common names Rwanda river frog and green puddle frog have been coined for it. The specific name versicolor, derived from the Latin versare and color, and refers to its variable dorsal colouration.

Ptychadena chrysogaster is a species of frog in the family Ptychadenidae. It is found in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kivu), Burundi, Rwanda, and southwestern Uganda, with an isolated record from Serengeti, Tanzania. Common names yellow-bellied ridged frog, golden-bellied rocket frog, and Rwanda grassland frog have been coined for it.

References

  1. 1 2 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2015). "Hyperolius frontalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T56135A16939435. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T56135A16939435.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Hyperolius frontalis Laurent, 1950". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Hyperolius frontalis Laurent, 1950". African Amphibians. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Hyperolius frontalis". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2018.