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 
| |
| 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
editMales 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
editHyperolius 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
edit- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ a b c d Zimkus, Breda (2014). "Hyperolius pseudargus Schiøtz and Westergaard in Schiøtz, 1999". African Amphibians. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Hyperolius pseudargus". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.