Leptopelis gramineus

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Leptopelis gramineus
Leptopelis gramineus 1897.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Arthroleptidae
Genus: Leptopelis
Species:
L. gramineus
Binomial name
Leptopelis gramineus
(Boulenger, 1898)
Synonyms [2]

Megalixalus gramineusBoulenger, 1898
Pseudocassina ocellataAhl, 1924
Pseudocassina rugosaAhl, 1924
Leptopelis rugosus(Ahl, 1924)

Contents

Leptopelis gramineus is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to Ethiopia and occurs on the Ethiopian Highlands on both sides of the Great Rift Valley. [1] [2] [3] Common names Badditu forest treefrog and Ethiopian burrowing tree frog have been coined for it. [1] [2]

Description

Adult males measure 20–45 mm (0.79–1.77 in) and adult females 40–63 mm (1.6–2.5 in) in snout–vent length; size varies considerably among populations. The dorsal colour is almost always green. Darker markings may be present but only very rarely form a triangle. There is a lateral series of large, dark brown blotches. Skin of the dorsum is rather coarsely granular, sometimes warty. Males have pectoral glands. The tadpoles are eel-shaped, heavily pigmented, and can grow to 64 mm (2.5 in) in length. [3]

The male advertisement call is a single, deep "clack", sometimes preceded by a creaking sound. [3]

Habitat and conservation

Leptopelis gramineus typically inhabits montane grasslands, sometimes Afro-alpine moorland or even forest margins [1] and montane forests. [3] It can also occur in rural gardens and human settlements. [1] It occurs at elevations between 1,900 and 3,900 m (6,200 and 12,800 ft) above sea level. [1] [3] It is a fossorial species. Reproduction takes place in pools and small streams, both permanent and temporary. [1]

This species is common to abundant at suitable sites. Because of its adaptability, it is not considered being significantly threatened by environmental degradation caused by human settlement and small to large-scale agriculture. Chytrid fungus is common in the area, but its impact on this species is unknown. It occurs in the Bale Mountains National Park (although the park offers limited protection only). [1]

Related Research Articles

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

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

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

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<i>Leptopelis macrotis</i> Species of frog

Leptopelis macrotis, sometimes called the big-eyed forest tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the rainforests of Sierra Leone, southern Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and southern Ghana. Notice that similar common name "big-eyed tree frog" is sometimes used for Leptopelis vermiculatus from Tanzania and for Litoria exophthalmia from New Guinea.

Leptopelis modestus is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. Its common names are modest forest treefrog and plain tree frog.

Leptopelis nordequatorialis, also known as the West Cameroon forest treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in central and western Cameroon and eastern Nigeria. It is closely related to Leptopelis anchietae and Leptopelis oryi.

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Leptopelis ragazzii is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. The species is endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands on both sides of the Great Rift Valley. Common names Ragazzi's tree frog and Shoa forest treefrog have been coined for it. It is named after Dr. Vincenzo Ragazzi (1856–1929), from the Modena Natural History Society, who explored and collected in Ethiopia.

Red tree frog Species of amphibian

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Leptopelis susanae is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to southwest Ethiopia and known from the Gughe Mountains and Saja Forest. The specific name susanae honours Susan, the wife of the describer, Malcolm Largen. Common names Susan's tree frog and Susana's [sic] forest treefrog have been coined for this species.

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

Leptopelis vannutellii is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to the highlands of southwestern Ethiopia. Common names Vannutelli's tree frog and Dime forest treefrog have been coined for it. It is named after Leonardo Vannutelli, Italian navy officer who joined Vittorio Bottego's second expedition to East Africa.

Leptopelis yaldeni is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to Ethiopia and occurs in the montane highlands in Gojjam. Its range might be limited by the deep gorges of the Blue Nile. It is named in honour of Derek Yalden, a British zoologist who collected some of the types. Common names Yalden's tree frog and grassland forest treefrog have been coined for this species.

<i>Phrynobatrachus jimzimkusi</i> Species of amphibian

Phrynobatrachus jimzimkusi is a species of frogs in the family Phrynobatrachidae. It is found in submontane and montane regions within the Cameroon volcanic line as well as the adjacent Obudu Plateau in the southeast of Nigeria. It is named after James (Jim) Zimkus by his wife, Breda Zimkus, the first author of the species description. Common name Jim Zimkus' puddle frog has been proposed for this species.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Leptopelis gramineus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T56257A16947615. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T56257A16947615.en.
  2. 1 2 3 Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Leptopelis gramineus (Boulenger, 1898)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Leptopelis gramineus". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
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