Leptopelis

Leptopelis is a genus of frogs in the family Arthroleptidae. They are found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa,[1] excluding Madagascar.[2] It is placed in monotypic subfamily Leptopelinae,[3][4] although this subfamily is not always recognized.[2] They have a number of common names, including forest treefrogs, tree frogs, leaf-frogs,[1] and big-eyed frogs.[5]

"Forest tree frog" redirects here. For other uses, see Forest tree frog (disambiguation).

Leptopelis
Leptopelis aubryi, the type species
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Arthroleptidae
Subfamily: Leptopelinae
Laurent, 1972
Genus: Leptopelis
Günther, 1859 "1858"
Type species
Hyla aubryi
Duméril, 1856
Species

54 species (see text)

Synonyms[1]
  • Pseudocassina Ahl, 1924
  • Elaphromantis Laurent, 1941
  • Heteropelis Laurent, 1941
  • Taphriomantis Laurent, 1941
  • Habrahyla Goin, 1961

Description

Leptopelis are mostly medium-sized frogs (snout–vent length 26–42 mm (1.0–1.7 in)), but Leptopelis palmatus can reach 87 mm (3.4 in).[4] Tympanum is present. Most species have expended digit tips.[2]

Ecology

Leptopelis are mainly arboreal, but some species, especially in more arid areas, are terrestrial or even subfossorial.[2][4] Breeding typically starts with the heavy rains in the beginning of the wet season. Eggs may be deposited either in water or in/on the ground. Development includes a free-living tadpole stage, with a possible exception of Leptopelis brevirostris, whose large eggs suggest that development could be direct.[4] Males typically call in bushes or trees a meter or more above the ground.[2]

Leptopelis kivuensis

Species

As of mid-October, 2019, there are 54 recognized species:[1]

The AmphibiaWeb recognized one additional species, Leptopelis broadleyi.[6]

Leptopelis vermiculatus

In captivity

L. vermiculatus is found in international pet trade.[7] They are hardy frogs that adapt well to captivity, and readily consume commercially available crickets.

References
  1. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Leptopelis Günther, 1859". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  2. Blackburn, David C. (2011). "Family Arthroleptidae". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  3. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Leptopelinae Laurent, 1972". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  4. Vitt, Laurie J. & Caldwell, Janalee P. (2014). Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (4th ed.). Academic Press. pp. 514–515.
  5. "Big-eyed Frogs (Genus Leptopelis)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  6. "Arthroleptidae". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  7. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2014). "Leptopelis vermiculatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T56284A3037319. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T56284A3037319.en.
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