Hyperolius pseudargus

Hyperolius pseudargus, also known as the Mette's reed frog,[2][3] is a species of frogs in the family Hyperoliidae.[1][2][4][3] It is endemic to south-central Tanzania and occurs in the Udzungwa Mountains and south to Njombe in the Southern Highlands.[1][2] Male Hyperolius pseudargus greatly resemble Hyperolius argus but have less webbing between the toes and the male advertisement call is different.[5] The vernacular name refers to Mette Westergaard, Danish biologist who collected the holotype and is the junior describer of this species.[6]

Hyperolius pseudargus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Genus: Hyperolius
Species:
H. pseudargus
Binomial name
Hyperolius pseudargus
Schiøtz and Westergaard, 1999

Description

Males measure 31–35 mm (1.2–1.4 in) in snout–vent length. The body and head are broad and flat. The eyes are not very protruding. Webbing between the toes is reduced.[5] The dorsum is green with narrow yellow canthal and dorsolateral stripes, although these may sometimes be indistinct; small yellow dots are usually present. The upper eyelid is yellow or slightly reddish. The ventrum is yellow. The toes and fingers are yellow-green.[3] Males have a large vocal sac that is bluish when calling, yellow green otherwise.[5]

The male advertisement call is a fast series of very loud, harsh clicks, emitted in a somewhat accelerating rhythm.[4][3]

Habitat and conservation

Hyperolius pseudargus inhabits open farmland, heavily degraded former forests (farm bush), and montane grasslands at elevations of 1,500–1,850 m (4,920–6,070 ft) above sea level. Breeding takes place in small pools and males call from sedges near water and from floating vegetation.[1]

This species is common. Although its range is small, it is adaptable and is not facing significant threats. It might occur in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park.[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Hyperolius pseudargus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T56186A18381991. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T56186A18381991.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2019). "Hyperolius pseudargus Schiøtz and Westergaard, 1999". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  3. Zimkus, Breda (2014). "Hyperolius pseudargus Schiøtz and Westergaard in Schiøtz, 1999". African Amphibians. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  4. "Hyperolius pseudargus". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  5. Schiøtz, A. & Westergaard, M. M. (2000). "Notes on some Hyperolius (Anura: Hyperoliidae) from Tanzania, with supplementary information on two recently described species" (PDF). Steenstrupia. 25 (1): 1–9.
  6. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
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