| Royal ghost frog | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Heleophrynidae |
| Genus: | Heleophryne |
| Species: | H. regis |
| Binomial name | |
| Heleophryne regis Hewitt, 1910 | |
The royal ghost frog (Heleophryne regis), also known as the southern ghost frog or Cape ghost frog, is a species of frog in the family Heleophrynidae. It is endemic to South Africa, [2] and lives in fast-moving streams. [1]
Ghost frogs get their name as one of the six species found in Skeleton Gorge (on Table Mountain), South Africa. [3] The underside of the body, including the jaw, has small hooks, which help the frogs climb over wet rocks near their habitats. [4] The frogs measure 35–45 mm (1.4–1.8 in) in length. It is in the same size range as Hewitt's ghost frog, but is smaller than Purcell's ghost frog. The top side of its body is brown with yellow spots, and the underside is white. The limbs are plain-colored, and flesh-colored underneath. [5] Their tadpoles take up to two years to develop fully. [1] The call of the royal ghost frog is a harsh, creaking sound, given at around one call per second. [5]
All species of ghost frogs are endemic to the southern tip of Africa. [3] Its natural habitat is fynbos heathland in the Western and Eastern provinces of South Africa, [1] and specifically cool mountain streams at an altitude of 230–790 meters. [1] [4] [6]
It is threatened by habitat loss, as it requires clean, fast-moving water in which to live. [3] However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classes the species as Least Concern; although it lives in an area of less than 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 sq mi), the habitat is not currently threatened, and the species is presumed to have a large population. Threats to its habitat include siltation of the freshwater streams. [1]
Heleophrynidae is a family of frogs, commonly known as ghost frogs. The family consists of two genera, Heleophryne and Hadromophryne, with seven species. Ghost frogs live in swift-moving mountain streams in South Africa. The common name of "ghost frogs" may have been coined because of their occurrence in Skeleton Gorge.
The Cape mountain toad or Rose's mountain toad is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. Other common names include Rose's mountain toadlet, striped mountain toad, Rose's toad, and Muizenberg Cape toad. It is endemic to South Africa, where its natural habitat is Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation known as fynbos. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Werneria tandyi, also known as Tandy's torrent toad or Tandy's smalltongue toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to western Cameroon and known from Mount Manengouba and from the Rumpi Hills. The specific name tandyi honours Robert Mills Tandy, biologist, herpetologist, and wildlife photographer.
Cochranella nola is a species of frog in the family Centrolenidae, the glass frogs, so named because of the transparent skin on the underside of the abdomen through which the internal organs can be seen. This species is endemic to Bolivia where it is found in the Andean foothills in the Santa Cruz Department. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and rivers. The scientific name nola is Latin for "small bell", and refers to the high-pitched, bell-like call of the male in the breeding season.
The Chamula mountain brook frog is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Chiapas, Mexico. Its natural habitats are moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat destruction and has been rated as "endangered" by the IUCN.
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.
Breviceps fuscus, also known as black rain frog, plain rain frog, brown short-headed frog, and Tsitsikama rainfrog, and is a species of frogs in the family Brevicipitidae. It is endemic to South Africa. The specific name fuscus refers to the dark coloration of this species.
The Bainskloof moss frog or Bainskloof chirping frog is a species of frogs in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to South Africa.
The De Villiers' moss frog is a minute species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae, which is endemic to the Western Cape, South Africa. At around 22 mm (0.87 in) length, it is one of the smallest regional species, though larger than the micro frog.
The micro frog, or Cape Flats frog, is a species of frog less than 2 cm (0.8 in) long in the family Pyxicephalidae, in the monotypic genus Microbatrachella. Its color varies from rufous brown with dark mottling, to tan or green, depending on the population. It is endemic to the south-western Cape area of South Africa, with a single population found on the Cape Flats of Cape Town and several populations on the eastern side of False Bay. It typically lives in wetlands in coastal fynbos habitats, but its total area of occupancy is very small, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as being "critically endangered".
Aubria subsigillata, commonly known as the brown ball frog or the West African brown frog, is a species of frog belonging to the family Pyxicephalidae. It has a discontinuous distribution from southern Guinea through Liberia and Ivory Coast, and from Nigeria to southern Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea to Gabon. However, the species delimitation differs between sources, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has adopted a narrower view where this species only occurs in Cameroon and southward.
The banded stream frog, also known as the banded sand frog, Cape grass frog, Cape stream frog, long-toed frog, mountain frog or Jonkersberg frog is a species of frogs in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to South Africa.
Delalande's sand frog, also known as Delalande's frog, Cape sand frog, or striped pixie, is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is endemic to western and southern South Africa and occurs in the low-lying areas of Namaqualand, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape as far east as Cape St. Francis.
The Hewitt's ghost frog is a species of frog in the family Heleophrynidae. It is endemic to Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Its natural habitat is fynbos heathland and grassy fynbos. Adults are difficult to see but live in or near fast-flowing perennial rivers and streams where they also breed. Each female lays up to 200 eggs. Tadpoles are more readily seen and take two years to develop fully.
The Natal ghost frog is a species of frog in the family Heleophrynidae. It is the only species in the genus Hadromophryne.
The eastern ghost frog is a species of frog in the family Heleophrynidae.
The Purcell's ghost frog is a species of frog in the family Heleophrynidae. It is endemic to Western Cape Province, South Africa. Its natural habitat is fynbos heathland. Breeding takes place in perennial streams. Their tadpoles take two years to develop fully.
The Rose's ghost frog or Table Mountain ghost frog is a species of frog in the family Heleophrynidae endemic to South Africa. It is a medium-sized species with purple or brown blotches on a pale green background and large discs on its fingers and toes. It has a very restricted range, being only known from the slopes of parts of Table Mountain. The tadpoles live in permanent streams but these are in danger of drying up because of the establishment of pine plantations. Because of its small range and changes in its habitat, this frog is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Natalobatrachus bonebergi, the Natal diving frog, Boneberg's frog, or Kloof frog ), is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is the only species within the monotypic genus Natalobatrachus. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and rivers and it is threatened by habitat loss.
