Hyperolius concolor

Hyperolius concolor, also known as the variable reed frog or Hallowell's sedge frog, is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It occurs in West and Middle Africa.[1][2][3][4]

Hyperolius concolor
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Genus: Hyperolius
Species:
H. concolor
Binomial name
Hyperolius concolor
(Hallowell, 1844)
Synonyms

Ixalus concolor Hallowell, 1844

Distribution

Hyperolius concolor is known from eastern Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and western Cameroon (here listed from west to east).[1][2][4]

Taxonomy

Hyperolius concolor was described in 1884 by Edward Hallowell based on material collected from Liberia. A large number of species described in later years have been brought into synonymy with it.[2] One subspecies, Hyperolius concolor ibadanensis Schiøtz, 1967 from Nigeria and Cameroon, is recognized, in addition to the nominotypical subspecies[2][3][4] and one unnamed subspecies, the latter also from Nigeria and Cameroon.[3][4]

Description

Hyperolius concolor is a medium to large-sized member of its genus, with males measuring 24–31 mm (0.94–1.22 in) and females about 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in) in snout–vent length. The snout is long and pointed. The pupil is horizontal. There are two colour phases. All juveniles and many mature males display phase "J", which is normally brownish to green in colour and shows paired light dorsolateral lines or an hourglass pattern. All females, and some males, develop into phase "F" prior to the first breeding season. This phase is often colourful and variable, with uniformly green dorsum, yellow ventrum, and no dark lateral pigmentation. Also intermediate forms are found.[3][4]

Male advertisement call is a succession of brief, hard and non-melodic "clicks".[3][4]

Habitat and conservation

Hyperolius concolor occurs in forest clearings and degraded forest, and in cultivated land, secondary brush, and gallery forests in savanna; it avoids closed forest habitats. Breeding takes place in small (even putrid) pools and marshes. The eggs are laid on folded leaves above water; the tadpoles fall into the water and continue their development there.[1]

It is an abundant species that is probably increasing because its habitat is increasing, even though it could locally suffer from habitat loss. It is sometimes found in the international pet trade, but not at levels that would pose a threat. It occurs in many protected areas.[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Hyperolius concolor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T56127A18373673. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T56127A18373673.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Hyperolius concolor (Hallowell, 1844)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  3. "Hyperolius concolor (Hallowell, 1844)". African Amphibians. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  4. "Hyperolius concolor". AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
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