Hyperolius wermuthi

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Hyperolius wermuthi
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Genus: Hyperolius
Species:
H. wermuthi
Binomial name
Hyperolius wermuthi
Laurent, 1961

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 . [1] [2] [3] [4] It is so similar to Hyperolius fusciventris that it has likely been overlooked elsewhere in West Africa. [2] [3] [4] Common name Wermuth's reed frog has been coined for this species. [2] [4]

Contents

Taxonomy

Taxonomic status of this species described by Belgian herpetologist Raymond Laurent in 1961 is unsettled. The Amphibian Species of the World treats Hyperolius wermuthi as a valid species but notes that Hyperolius soror is likely its synonym. [2] The AmphibiaWeb, however, considers Hyperolius soror a nomen dubium , even though it acknowledges that Hyperolius soror might be the correct name Hyperolius wermuthi. [3]

Description

Males measure 18–23 mm (0.71–0.91 in) and females 22–29 mm (0.87–1.14 in) in snout–vent length. There are two distinct colour phases, "J" and "F", although also intermediate forms exist. Juveniles and many mature males have phase J whereas mature females and some mature males have phase F. Phase J individuals are brownish to green with paired light dorsolateral lines or an hourglass pattern. Phase F is often colorful and variable and show a red canthal stripe that is characteristic to this species. The ventrum is transparent bluish green. [3] [4]

Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are primary forests at elevations up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level. Breeding takes place in swamps and small temporary ponds. [1]

It is threatened by habitat loss and deterioration caused by agricultural expansion, logging, and encroaching human settlements. The species occurs in the Nimba National Forest. [1]

Related Research Articles

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Hyperolius acutirostris is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to southwestern Cameroon, found as far east as the region of Yaoundé. Common name sharpsnout reed frog has been coined for it.

Hyperolius bolifambae is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is known from southeastern Nigeria, southern Cameroon, and southwestern Central African Republic, with an isolated record in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo ; the latter record may be considered doubtful. It likely has a broader range towards south and east than currently documented, and the AmphibiaWeb includes Gabon and the Republic of the Congo in the distribution.

Hyperolius brachiofasciatus is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is known from its type locality, Ngoto in southwestern Central African Republic, from another locality in central Republic of the Congo, and from a number of localities in central Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, as of 2014, IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group considers records other than the one from the type locality erroneous, and that this species likely is a synonym of some other species. Common name Ngoto reed frog has been proposed for it.

Hyperolius camerunensis is a species of reed frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to western and southwestern Cameroon.

<i>Hyperolius concolor</i>

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Hyperolius dintelmanni is a species of frogs in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to Cameroon and found in the montane southwestern part of the country. Specifically, it has been recorded from the Bakossi Mountains, including the Edib Hills and Mount Kupe. The specific name, dintelmanni, honors Mr. Horst Dintelmann from Germany in recognition of "his support of taxonomic research and forthcoming conservation projects in Cameroon".

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.

<i>Hyperolius fusciventris</i>

Hyperolius fusciventris is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It occurs in West and Middle Africa between Sierra Leone in the west and western Cameroon in the east. Common name lime reed frog has been coined for this species.

<i>Hyperolius guttulatus</i>

Hyperolius guttulatus is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It occurs in West and Middle Africa between Sierra Leone in the west and Gabon in the east/south. Common name dotted reed frog has been coined for this species.

Hyperolius hutsebauti is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to Democratic Republic of the Congo north of the Congo River, although the actual limits of its distribution are unclear. The specific name hutsebauti honours Franz Joseph Hutsebaut (1886–1954), a Catholic missionary in what was then Belgian Congo. Common name Ibembo reed frog has been coined for it.

<i>Hyperolius minutissimus</i>

Hyperolius minutissimus is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. Its common names are tiny reed frog and dwarf reed frog. It is endemic to Tanzania and known from the Udzungwa Mountains and from near Njombe in the Southern Highlands.

<i>Hyperolius mitchelli</i>

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<i>Hyperolius picturatus</i>

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 soror is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to Guinea as it is known with certainty only from Nzérékoré in the southern part of the country, although it is likely that it occurs in adjacent Liberia and western Ivory Coast. Common name soror reed frog has been coined for this species.

<i>Hyperolius spinigularis</i>

Hyperolius spinigularis is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in the Mulanje Massif in southern Malawi and the Namuli Massif in adjacent Mozambique. Records from Tanzania refers to other species. Males of this species have characteristic small spines during the breeding season. Its common names are spiny-throated reed frog, spiny reed frog, and Mulanje reed frog.

Hyperolius sylvaticus is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in southern Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and western Cameroon, with a gap in Benin. It is also likely to occur in Liberia. Common name Bobiri reed frog has been coined for this species.

<i>Hyperolius tanneri</i>

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.

<i>Hyperolius tuberculatus</i>

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Rödel, Mark-Oliver; Schiøtz, Arne (2004). "Hyperolius wermuthi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2004: e.T56222A11442411. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T56222A11442411.en.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Hyperolius wermuthi Laurent, 1961". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Hyperolius wermuthi". AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Hyperolius wermuthi Laurent, 1961". African Amphibians. 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
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