Hyperolius viridiflavus (Duméril & Bibron 1841)

Throughout the tropical savanna of Africa, and abundantly present on suitable habitats there is always found a characteristic, conspicuous Hyperolius which, although highly variable, shows a number of common characters, most of them unique within the genus: - high population density and exposed calling site - strictly savanna-living - a characteristic melodic voice, like small xylophones - a brief snout - very large shagreened gular flap and large dilatable vocal sac in males - transverse gular fold in females - extensive webbing - a large clutch of eggs, deposited in water - absence of external metatarsal tubercle - horizontal pupils In the colour pattern of phase F, however, there is extreme variation in these savanna-living forms, between populations and sometimes within populations, a variation which is probably greater that in any other vertebrate animal. In general this variation can be characterised thus:- variation in some populations is small, while others are highly variable. - in some populations variation results in distinct morphs (Mo-1, Mo-2 and Mo-3), in others there is an intergrading variation.This form is always present on the savanna and its beautiful voice is as characteristic of the African night as that of Kassina senegalensis. It is also a characteristic of the complex that one form, and only one such form, occurs at any given locality with very few exceptions. The variation in colour-pattern within this group has been analysed by Schiøtz (1971). The conclusions are that single characters (i.e., dorsum green or brown, or subdermal dark lateral band present or absent) are generally widely distributed, beyond the distribution of the recognised subspecies. Furthermore, the different characters vary independently of each other. Finally, when sufficient samples are available to demonstrate it, most recognised subspecies show a gradual transition in pattern to the neighbouring forms. This clinal trend has not been observed by Laurent in Central Africa; instead, he recognizes hybrids between subspecies, which may be saying the same.A peculiar character used in the taxonomy of this group is the subdermal dark lateral streak, a black pigmentation of the musculus obliquus externus in some forms which reveals itself as a dark lateral band, dark bluish in life, and sometimes difficult to see if the sides are heavily pigmented. This character tends to disappear after some time in alcohol. There is a difference in the distribution of this character in the two sexes. It is widespread in the parallelus subgroup but is also found in several viridiflavus forms in eastern Africa. It is generally recognized that more than one species is involved since some cases of sympatry between different forms has been reported.There is, however, no agreement as to the species structure. The forms from southern Africa have traditionally been regarded as subspecies of H. marmoratus. Schiøtz has argued that a number of forms from western-southern Central Africa have so many common characters that they should be regarded as belonging to one species H. parallelus. Several authors have regarded some of the forms as full species. A recent paper (Wieczorek et al. 2001) has split up part of the forms in this superspecies into 10 full species. Also, some other authors have regarded some of these forms as separate species. Considering the taxonomic uncertainty, such forms are treated both under the heading Hyperolius viridiflavus, with the distinct forms treated as vernacular (or subspecies) names, as well as under their respective names. Further DNA studies may resolve these issues. Taxa are listed here roughly in geographical order, starting in West Africa. The viridiflavus subgroup:Most often small forms, Phase F not falling into distinct morphs as in the parallelus-marginatus subgroup. Some populations show very limited variation, others very much. Spatzi Phase F light grey with small black dots. Perhaps part of the Nitidulus-cline, although Emms et al. (2005) disagree. Westernmost West Africa. Nitidulus incl. AUR of Schiøtz (1971). Phase F dorsum brown to grey, with or without darker spots and marbling. Flanks spotted, marbled, or with a dark band. There is a west-east cline in this form which may also include Spatzi: The western form (Sierra Leone) has an unmarked dorsum and few dark spots on the flanks. Further east the flanks become more spotted, marbled or with a lateral band, until in the Cameroun population (Aureus) we have a conspicuous dark lateral band and often a spotted dorsum. The population from Sierra Leone has phase J with an hour-glass pattern, rare in this part of Africa. From Sierra Leone to Cameroun. Pallidus incl. BAN, ANE Dorsum uniform greyish or with minute black dots, lateral area with small black dots. These forms are described from the drier savanna of Cameroun to Rep. Centrafricaine, and may also occur in the dry, northern savanna of Nigeria. Pachydermus Dorsum brown with small round yellow spots, often with a black centre. Northern R. D. Congo, southern Sudan, south-western Ethiopia, probably northern Uganda. Viridiflavus Dorsum green with small rounded yellow to red spots, often with a black centre. Ethiopia, north-western Kenya. Largen (1998) has suggested that although samples from Kenya show the typical characters for this form they may be isolated from the Ethiopian populations (incl. the type locality), by a broad expanse of arid lowland, possibly unsuitable for this species. Destefanii Dorsum green to bluish green, unmarked or with small dark blue to black dots and freckles; posterior face of thigh iridescent pale blue to purple with blackish speckling, ventrum yellowish, sometimes speckled with grey or black. Largen (1998) brought attention to the existence of this distinct form. Low to moderate altitude on floor and eastern wall of Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Variabilis incl. BAY, SCH, KWI A most variable form. Dorsum finely spotted to coarsely marbled in green, blue and black. No small red dorsal spots. A form called Bayoni (BAY of Schiøtz (1971), H. v. bayoni Schiøtz (1975), is distributed over a greater part of Uganda and Parc Virunga, R. D. Congo, and therefore well represented in collections. It combines the characters of the northern Pachydermus and Viridiflavus (small round yellow or red dorsal spots) with those of the southern Variabilis (very variable pattern) and populations furthermore show a gradual transition from one to the other. It is a matter of personal choice whether one recognises Bayoni as a distinct subspecies or simply as a range of gradual transition forms in one of the few areas in Africa sufficiently well collected to demonstrate such transition. Schubotzi seems very similar to Bayoni and Kwidjwiensis to Variabilis. At Sango Bay Variabilis is sympatric with Argentovittis, the two forms showing conspicuous differences in voice and size, no transition in pattern and very few signs of hybridisation. This is the only case of sympatry in the Hyperolius viridiflavus complex I have met - although several other instances have been reported in the literature - and is clear evidence that the group includes more than one species. The sympatry could be explained by recent colonisation from the north (Variabilis) and south (Argentovittis) in Uganda west of Lake Victoria, an area where the savanna, the habitat for this group, has replaced the forest in recent times. Rwanda, Burundi, Southwest Uganda, Northwest Tanzania. Coerulescens Many specimens have longitudinal stripes. A montane form from Mokoto Lakes (1700-2000 m), R. D. Congo. Karissimbiensis A large form from montane grasslands. Dorsum uniform brown. Flanks in life bluish (presumably what is in this book termed subdermal dark lateral streak) and red ventrum. Mt. Karissimbi, Rwanda, above 2000 m. Françoisi incl. PIT, XAN. A number of rather large montane forms, Karissimbiensis, Pitmanni, Xanthogrammus and Françoisi from eastern R.D. Congo and adjacent areas are so similar in appearance that it is questionable whether they should be maintained as separate forms. While Karissimbiensis has a uniform dorsum, Pitmanni often has small yellow spots on the brown dorsum, Xanthogrammus normally so, sometimes arranged in rows, while Françoisi has a yellow network on the dorsum. These forms are found isolated from each other in the highlands of eastern R. D. Congo, south-western Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, surrounded by lowland forms such as Variabilis and Bayoni. They are often found in open swamps in forested areas. Ssp from Marsabit There is an undescribed form from Marsabit, Kenya, possibly isolated from other forms by semi-desert. Large, with the dorsum uniform grey or brown. Subdermal dark lateral streak present. Pantherinus A large form, phase J with hourglass pattern. Phase F dorsum dark with diffuse light spots. No subdermal dark lateral streak. Highlands north of Nairobi, Kenya. Ferniquei Brown to grey, uniform or with minute black spots. There may be a gradual transition towards the similar Pantherinus so that it may be unnecessary to maintain two names. Uplands of southern Kenya, including the Nairobi area. Sheldricki A small form from the dry savanna of southern Kenya, dorsum brown with darker brown longitudinal lines. This form was described as a full species, since it differs rather much from the adjacent forms in this complex. Dry savanna of southern Kenya. Rubripes A small form. Dorsum dark with lighter vermiculation. Coastal Kenya, possibly southern Somalia. Glandicolor Dorsum dark, almost black with white spots and streaks. Near Teita Hills, Kenya. Ommatostictus Dorsum dark, almost black with small white rings. Apparently no gradual transition to the similar Glandicolor. Between Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, Tanzania. Mwanzae Dorsum and limbs translucent green, sometimes with bluish green spots. Ventrum white or green. Throat of males yellow or green. A very distinct form with a unique coloration, not met in any other member of the superspecies. Collected in swamps near Lake Victoria in the vicinity of Mwanza. None were heard in the Papyrus on the shore itself. One would expect frequent gene exchange across Lake Victoria with its many floating Papyrus islands and, nowadays, its semi-solid layer of Eichhornia, so this distinct form with restricted distribution is a surprise. Goetzei Dorsum grey to brown, sometimes spotted or marbled. Flanks marbled. Found over a large area in upland Tanzania, above the escarpment formed by the Eastern Arc Mountains. Ngorongoroensis Dorsum coarsely marbled in light and dark brown. The pattern seems constant. A very few Goetzei show the same pattern. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. RenschiVery similar to Mariae. The main difference is that the latter has a black band along the canthus rostralis, continuing over the upper eyelid. Schiøtz's sample from Amani, Usambaras, has specimens with and without black markings on the side of the head, so the variation along the Tanzanian should be studied. Distribution follows Pickersgill's coastal regions of Tanzania and Unguja. Pickersgill's distribution for H. mariae is restricted to eastern and north-eastern Tanzania, avoiding the coastal strip. Mariae A small form with a uniform yellow to brown dorsum and a conspicuous subdermal dark lateral streak. A black canthal stripe is often present, sometimes continuing behind the eye. The pattern is related to Goetzei and Reesi, and intergrades to Goetzei seem to occur. The voice is somewhat different from that of other members of the group, a fast series of high-pitched clicks. Eastern Tanzanian lowlands, Pemba, Zanzibar. Reesi Dorsum light yellow to light green. Flanks with a broad subdermal dark lateral streak overlaid by 2-3 vertical yellow stripes. This strikingly coloured form undoubtedly belongs to the viridiflavus complex, vicariating for other forms in the Kilombero Floodplains, Tanzania. If one disregards the conspicuous bright yellow stripes, the pattern is very similar to that of Mariae to the north-east and to Bitaeniatus and Rhodoscelis to the Southwest. Bitaeniatus Dorsum uniform yellowish or with black spots. A subdermal dark lateral streak present. South-western Tanzania and north-eastern Zambia. Can be regarded as a transition from Rhodoscelis to Goetzei. South-western Tanzania. Rhodoscelis A large form. Dorsum uniform yellow. A dark subdermal lateral streak with a thin bright yellow longitudinal line. Eastern Katanga (R. D. Congo) and north-western Zambia. The range seems to overlap that of Melanoleucus, an argument for the two being specifically distinct. Sympatry between the two has been reported by Laurent (1943) from Kasenge. Nyassae Dorsum yellow, uniform or with dark spots, sometimes arranged in longitudinal rows. Northern shores of Lake Malawi. FumosusDorsum varies from jet black to silvery white with a dusting of black. Belly light pink and hidden parts of limbs vivid pink. No subdermal dark band. Maximum length 27 mm.Only known from Beira, Mozambique, where Pickersgill also found many intergrades of H. v. taeniatus. Taeniatus Dorsum dark with five straight light bands which may sometimes be broken up into spots. Intergrades with Marmoratus, but apparently not with Albofasciatus. KwaZulu-Natal to Zimbabwe and Malawi. Marmoratus Dorsum marbled or mottled, very variable. Central coastal South Africa. Verrucosus Spotted dorsum. Intergrades to marmoratus. Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The parallelus-marginatus subgroup: The following forms from southern and south-western Africa are large with well defined female morphs (1, 2 and 3), not all of which may be present in each population. Two of these morphs (1 and 3) vary very little from form to form throughout the vast range of the subgroup: - Mo. 1. Dark dorsum with light middorsal stripe and more or less well-defined light lateral stripes. - Mo. 3. Dark dorsum with fine light vermiculation or spots - Mo. 2 is the term used for a number of variable patterns, in some populations forming transitions between Mo. 1 and 3, while in other forms it varies gradually, without the existence of well-defined morphs 1 and 3. The frequency of these morphs varies from 0-100% in the different populations, so that this variation in itself is a systematical character. In this group (unlike the viridiflavus-group) there are two tibial patterns: in some populations tibia is always finely spotted regardless of the dorsal pattern, while in others it is marked as the dorsum, that is finely spotted if the specimen is morph 3, coarsely marbled if it is morph 1 or 2. There seem to be gradual clines between the populations with the different forms merging into each other. Parallelus Nearly all phase F are morph-1: Dorsum dark with narrow white dorsal and lateral lines, the latter well separated from the light ventrum. Tibia light with small dark and white spots. Subdermal dark streak present in females, absent in males. M-3, only recorded from R. Congo, is pale fawn, minutely freckled with darker grey-brown pigment. Synonymous with H. bocagei (Schiøtz and Van Daele 2003). Coastal R. Congo, western R. D. Congo, north-western Angola. Insignis Morph 1 with dark dorsum with very wide white dorsal stripe. Tibia coarsely marbled. Subdermal dark lines present in females. The form seems ill-defined, and there are intergrades to Parallelus and Huillensis/Angolensis. May be synonymous with H. bicolor. Coastal Angola. Angolensis incl. HUI, QUA Almost all specimens in the type series from north-eastern Angola are morph 3 with a dark dorsum with light vermiculations. Subdermal lateral streak present in both sexes. Further south, in Botswana and Zambia, much more variable and could be regarded as a separate subspecies. A form called Huillensis from the south-western part of Angola is described as having round dotson the dorsum rather than vermiculation but the known specimens are so few and the variation in pattern so great that its distinctness from Angolensis seems doubtful. Quarrei from southern R. D. Congo also seems ill-defined. Known from Angola, northernmost Namibia, north-western Botswana and western Zambia. Alborufus Light ground colour with spots or vermiculation in red-brown. Subdermal dark streak present in both sexes. Mo 1 rare. Seems ill-defined in an area with many very variable but similar forms (Angolensis, Alborufus, Pyrrhodictyon, Aposematicus). Distributed where Angola, Zambia and R. D. Congo meet. Argentovittis Morphs 1, 2 and 3 present. Tibia finely spotted (northern populations) or as dorsum (southern populations.). Subdermal dark streak present in both sexes. Light lateral line not well defined. Morph 1 pattern often irregular. No red pigmentation after preservation.v We lack collections from R. D. Congo south of the forest that may show a gradual transition to the very similar Parallelus. There seems to be a gradual transition to Angolensis. At Sango Bay, Uganda, Argentovittis is sympatric with Variabilis and at Gita, Rwanda with the so-called Schubotzi (Variabilis). Southern Uganda, eastern R. D. Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, western Tanzania. Epheboides An isolated highland form. Dorsum uniform light, diffuse lateral spots. Subdermal dark streak present. Parc Upemba, R. D. Congo. Possibly a member of the viridiflavus subgroup, related to Rhodoscelis. Marginatus Dorsum uniform yellowish to green or almost black, delimited laterally by black. Flanks light with red spots, sometimes with black centre. In Schiøtz (1971) I argued for full specific rank for this form, but Laurent (1976) is probably correct in regarding it as a member of this subgroup. Sympatric with Nyassae (a viridiflavus-form) in Malawi (Fonesca & Jorque 1979). Central and western Zimbabwe, eastern Mozambique, eastern central Zambia, northern Malawi, south-eastern Tanzania. The distribution is disjunct since the Tanzanian populations are isolated from the more western populations by several forms of the viridiflavus subgroup, perhaps a reflection of the two subgroups being specifically distinct. Melanoleucus The large type series from south-eastern R. D. Congo (240 phase F) are all morph 1, with a very regular pattern. Several separate oblique light lateral lines. Red lines centrally in light lines, especially on flanks. Further south, in central Zambia, this form is very variable both within and between populations and the separation into several subspecies is justifiable. Further south there is a transition to Pyrrhodictyon. South-eastern R. D. Congo to central Zambia. Pyrrhodictyon Dorsum uniform brownish, often with rather diffuse lighter (green in life) spots, sometimes with a black centre. Ventrum with red spots or vermiculation.The populations of the parallelus-marginatus subgroup in southern Zambia show extreme variation and the present nomenclatorical separation from south-eastern populations of Melanoleucus, from Rhodesianus and Aposematicus is very subjective. Kafue River and uplands to the south, Zambia. Aposematicus Pattern very variable both within and between populations. Spotted to marbled. No red pigmentation. Southern Zambia. Rhodesianus Ventrum with strong red vermiculation which disappears after preservation. Dorsum yellow with green spots. Perhaps not distinguishable from Pyrrhodichtyon. Matetsi, Zimbabwe. Broadleyi Only morph 1 present. Very little variation in pattern. Red lines in the white pattern disappear after preservation. Light dorsolateral lines well-defined. No red ventral pigmentation. Tibia as dorsum. It has been discussed whether there are populations showing transitions to Taeniatus, a very variable form belonging to the viridiflavus sub-group. Recent studies (Channing et al.) seem to show that the two are specifically distinct. Transitions to Marginatus are known. Eastern Zimbabwe. Swynnertoni Very variable and often asymmetrical dark dorsal marbling on light ground colour. No subdermal dark lateral streak. South-eastern highlands of Zimbabwe. Albofasciatus Only morph F-1 with very regular pattern present, tibia as dorsum. No light dorsolateral lines but black or red spots on flanks. No subdermal dark lateral streak.Very similar to other forms such as Broadleyi and Melanoleucus, but geographically separated from these by other, very different forms (Marginatus and Taeniatus). Apparently no transition to these. Highlands of southern Malawi.This species shows developmental changes in patterning, with two phases, J (juveniles and many mature males) and F (mature females and some mature males). All newly metamorphosed individuals are phase J, which is normally brownish to green with paired light dorsolateral lines, or an hourglass pattern. All females, and some males, develop into phase F before the first breeding season. Phase F is often colorful and variable, showing the diagnostic color characteristics for the species or subspecies. Either well-defined morphs may be present, or graded variation. This account was taken from "Treefrogs of Africa" by Arne Schiøtz with kind permission from Edition Chimaira (http://www.chimaira.de/) publishers, Frankfurt am Main.

Hyperolius viridiflavus is a predator of insects in the African savanna. It is also the prey of several species of animals.

Hyperolius viridiflavus has a bright warning coloration that wards off predators. Dragonfly larvae, beetle larvae, turtles, ray-finned fish and water snakes eat the tadpoles of H. viridiflavus.

Known Predators:

• Dragonfly larvae (Order Odonata)
• Beetle larvae (Order Coleoptera)
• Turtles (Order Testudines)
• Fish (Class Actinopterygii)
• Water snakes (Lycodonomorphus refutus)

Anti-predator Adaptations: aposematic

Hyperolius viridiflavus is a highly variable species that exhibits considerable polymorphism in color pattern. Some populations contain distinct morphs while in others there is gradation among extremes. It is widely regarded as a superspecies with more than fifty subspecies recognized. The subspecies are divided into two subgroups, parallelus and viridiflavus, based on variation in geographic range and coloration. There is some controversy about the taxonomy of H. viridiflavus that is discussed further in the other comments section.

Hyperolius viridiflavus is a small to medium sized frog species with an average mass of 2 g and body length of 15 to 30 mm, depending on the subspecies.

This species exhibits sexual dimorphism with males slightly smaller than females. Females are more colorful than males; their adult pattern is referred to as Phase F which is highly variable and contains several distinct morphs. Mature males frequently remain in the juvenile phase (Phase J), which ranges from brownish to green with paired light dorsolateral lines.

Members of this species have horizontal pupils, extensive webbing of the feet, a brief snout, and a very large, shagreened, gular flap. They lack an external metatarsal tubercle. Males have a large dilatable vocal sac. Females have a tranverse gular flap All subspecies have a subdermal dark bluish lateral streak caused by black pigmentation of the musculus obliquus abdominal muscle. This band is sometimes difficult to see if the sides of the frog are heavily pigmented. The band differs in placement between the sexes.

The subspecies have different coloration ranging from solid light green in the H. viridiflavus mwanzae to light brown in H. viridiflavus pantherinus to very brightly spotted and striped in H. viridiflavus tauniatus. The feet are frequently brightly colored.

Average mass: 2 g.

Range length: 14 to 33 mm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry ; polymorphic

Sexual Dimorphism: female larger; sexes colored or patterned differently; female more colorful

Hyperolius viridiflavus lives in an environment with widely fluctuating weather conditions. Shortly after the breeding season, these frogs face a severe dry season when they must rely on stored water. Adults do not handle this water shortage as well as juveniles. Adults do not generally survive the dry season, and in areas with prolonged dry seasons adults are probably annual. Linsenmair has never found an adult H. viridiflavus nitidulus that has survived the dry season in West Africa. Even under laboratory conditions, adult H. viridiflavus senesce quickly after the end of breeding activity. Males also experience high mortality because they are highly vocal and are therefore more susceptible to predation by acoustically-hunting predators.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 1 (high) years.

Hyperolius viridiflavus lives in the tropical African savanna. It is associated with emerging vegetation in savanna, grasslands, and at the margins of forests, lakes, rivers, and swamps, where these frogs may live in high densities. Hyperolius viridiflavus also lives in areas associated with humans, like cultivated land and gardens. This species breeds in a variety of aquatic habitats from very small to large ponds that may be permanent but are usually temporary. It ranges from low altitudes to 2,400 m in Ethiopia.

Range elevation: 2,400 (high) m.

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial ; freshwater

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; rainforest

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams; temporary pools

Wetlands: marsh ; swamp

Other Habitat Features: agricultural ; riparian

Hyperolius viridiflavus, or African reed frogs, are a widespread species that occupy most suitable habitats (ponds and lakes) throughout northwestern Ethiopia, through Southern Sudan to western Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, northwestern Tanzania, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and most likely eastern Central African Republic.

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

Hyperolius viridiflavus are insectivores that feed on many different types of insects including flies in the genera Drosophila, Musca, Phormia, Lucilia, and Calliphora. The free-living tadpoles of Hyperolius viridiflavus nitidulus eat algae.

Animal Foods: insects

Plant Foods: algae

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )

This species is a part of the international pet trade although not at high levels.

Positive Impacts: pet trade

There are no known adverse effects of Hyperolius viridiflavus on humans. However, the Masai of East Africa have a superstition that their cattle will die if they eat these frogs because of their bright warning coloration.

Hyperolius viridiflavus eggs hatch into tadpoles two to five days after laying, depending on the temperature of the water. Tadpoles take eight weeks to metamorphose into juveniles. Juveniles mature sexually in three to twelve months depending on the climate. Juvenile H. viridiflavus have a different coloration than adults, referred to as Phase J, which is light brown to green in color. Sexually mature males frequently maintain the juvenile coloration throughout adulthood. Phase F, the adult phase, is a highly variable color pattern with distinct morphs.

Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis

Hyperolius viridiflavus is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because of its very wide distribution and tolerance of a broad range of habitats. It also likely has a large population size with no significant threats. This species is occasionally found in the international pet trade, but not at a high enough level to pose a threat to it.

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

The taxonomy of Hyperolius viridiflavus is complex and has been the subject of much debate. Much of the difficulty has come from the dependence on dorsal color patterns as taxonomic characters. Schiøtz argues that H. viridiflavus is a superspecies with many subspecies that can be divided into two subgroups, parallelus and viridiflavus based on coloration and geographic range. Wieczorek has broken up the various subspecies of H. viridiflavus into ten full species based on mitochondrial DNA. Adult H. viridiflavus are unique because they can regenerate fully functional digits after amputation.

Hyperolius viridiflavus has a melodic call like a xylophone that is more tonal than that of other species in this genus. Their calls are a characteristic part of the African night sounds. Males have an exposed calling site and form choruses in order to attract mates.

Hyperolius viridiflavus nitidulus males have two distinct calls, a mating call and a territorial call. The territorial call is longer and deeper than the mating call, and lasts from 0.28 to 0.36 seconds and has a frequency of 0.98 to 2.6 kHz. The mating call is a short metallic click that lasts between 0.10 to 0.24 s and has a frequency of 2.04 to 3.43 kHz, depending on the size of the frog. Female H. viridiflavus cannot make sounds.

Members of this species use keen visual perception in order to capture insects. They have bulging eyes and horizontal pupils.

Communication Channels: acoustic

Other Communication Modes: choruses

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Hyperolius viridiflavus breeds during the wet season. The length of the breeding activity varies among subspecies but typically lasts several months. This species is polygynandrous. At the beginning of the breeding season, males migrate to bodies of water such as shallow ponds and form calling choruses to attract mates. Males maintain an individual calling space through combat. Males typically call at dusk and expend considerable energy trying to attract a mate. Females H. viridiflavus may select larger males as mates. Females approach males and initiate amplexus. Amplexus is axillary (the male holds the female around the armpits). The eggs are laid on vegetation under the water in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. Female H. viridiflavus produce multiple clutches during the breeding season.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Hyperolius viridiflavus breeds during the wet season. The length of the breeding activity varies among subspecies but typically lasts several months. Females have multiple clutches over the course of the breeding season. The average size of a clutch is 330 eggs. Eggs hatch after 2 to 5 days, and have metamorphosed into juveniles by 8 weeks of age. Juveniles of both sexes become sexually mature at 4 to 12 months old.

Hyperolius viridiflavus has been shown to experience protogyny, or female to male sex change, in the laboratory. The new males were able to fertilize the eggs of females. This likely occurs when the sex ratio within a population is heavily weighted towards males.

Hyperolius viridiflavus is semelparous, but may breed multiple times in its one breeding season. This reproductive strategy is largely due to climatic factors, as no adults have been documented surviving the annual, harsh dry season. Even in laboratory settings, individuals will senesce shortly after the breeding season.

Breeding interval: Female Hyperolius viridiflavus produce a new clutch every 10 to 20 days during the breeding season.

Breeding season: Hyperolius viridiflavus breed during the wet season which typically lasts several months.

Range number of offspring: 94 to 800.

Range time to hatching: 2 to 5 days.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 4 to 12 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 4 to 12 months.

Key Reproductive Features: semelparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External ); oviparous

Hyperolius viridiflavus provides no parental investment other than yolk and sperm for the eggs.

Parental Investment: no parental involvement; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female)

Hyperolius viridiflavus és una espècie de granota que viu a Burundi, República Democràtica del Congo, Etiòpia, Kenya, Ruanda, Sudan, Tanzània, Uganda i, possiblement també, a la República Centreafricana, Txad i Eritrea.

The common reed frog (Hyperolius viridiflavus) is a species of tree frogs in the family Hyperoliidae found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, and possibly the Central African Republic, Chad, and Eritrea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, rivers, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, freshwater springs, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, urban areas, heavily degraded former forests, water storage areas, ponds, irrigated land, seasonally flooded agricultural land, and canals and ditches.

Some evidence suggests that west African frogs may change sex from female to male after having successfully bred. Animals that switch sex as adults are known as sequential hermaphrodites because they have the gonads of either sex but at different periods of their lives. This contrasts with animals which are "simultaneous hermaphrodites" which have both gonads at the same point. However, this sequential hermaphroditism in reed frogs has only been noted once and in a captive colony; it is not generally accepted by scientists that this process occurs in amphibians. Despite a lack of evidence for hermaphroditism, the film Jurassic Park has become a cultural reason for why many believe that frogs can be sequential hermaphrodites.

Hyperolius viridiflavus tree frog from Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Hyperolius viridiflavus es una especie de anfibios anuros de la familia Hyperoliidae.​ Habita en Burundi, República Democrática del Congo, oeste de Etiopía, Kenia, Ruanda, sur de Somalia, sur de Sudán, Sudán del Sur, Tanzania, Uganda y, posiblemente, en la República Centroafricana, Chad y Eritrea.​

Se puede encontrar en vegetación a la orilla de una amplia variedad de cuerpos de agua: lagos, pantanos, charcas y ríos. Habita en cuerpos de agua en sabanas, bosques, pastizales, zonas de cultivo y pueblos. Su rango altitudinal va desde el nivel del mar hasta los 2400 m de altitud.​

Se ha observado que algunos individuos de Hyperolius viridiflavus pueden cambiar sus órganos sexuales de hembra a macho sin cambios físicos externos.​ Este hecho ocurre cuando la población no tiene suficientes machos para la procreación y está provocada por una hormona que activa el gen sexual para degenerar los órganos femeninos y transformarlos en masculinos.​

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Hyperolius viridiflavus Hyperolius generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Hyperoliidae familian sailkatuta dago, Anura ordenan.

Hyperolius viridiflavus est une espèce d'amphibiens de la famille des Hyperoliidae.

Hyperolius viridiflavus é uma espécie de anfíbio da família Hyperoliidae. É nativa do Burundi, da República Democrática do Congo, da Etiópia, do Quênia, de Ruanda, Sudão, Sudão do Sul, Tanzânia e Uganda. Normalmente é encontrada em vegetações próximas a corpos d'água, já que depositam seus ovos diretamente na água. Também pode ser encontrada em áreas mais urbanizadas.

Estudos demonstram que essa espécie é na verdade um complexo específico, podendo ser dividida em 10 espécies diferentes, algo descoberto a partir de estudos no ADN mitocondrial. Porém, as divisões ainda não ocorreram oficialmente e a espécie é dividida apenas em 45 subespécies.

Um fato curioso desta espécie é a sua capacidade de mudar de sexo quando adultos, com as fêmeas virando machos, ocorrendo quando há poucos machos na população. Isso acontece de maneira espontânea e natural, não precisando que haja influências externas, como temperatura e concentração de hormônios, e ainda são capazes de gerar descendentes. Isso ocorre devido a espécie ser protogínica. É a única espécie conhecida de tetrápode capaz de fazer isso de forma natural.

Hyperolius viridiflavus är en groda från Afrika som tillhör släktet Hyperolius och familjen gräsgrodor.

Hyperolius viridiflavus là một loài ếch thuộc họ Hyperoliidae. Loài này có ở Burundi, Cộng hòa Dân chủ Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, có thể cả Cộng hòa Trung Phi, có thể cả Chad, và có thể cả Eritrea. Môi trường sống tự nhiên của chúng là rừng khô nhiệt đới hoặc cận nhiệt đới, rừng ẩm vùng đất thấp nhiệt đới hoặc cận nhiệt đới, vùng núi ẩm nhiệt đới hoặc cận nhiệt đới, xavan khô, xavan ẩm, vùng cây bụi khô khu vực nhiệt đới hoặc cận nhiệt đới, vùng cây bụi ẩm khu vực nhiệt đới hoặc cận nhiệt đới, đồng cỏ nhiệt đới hoặc cận nhiệt đới vùng ngập nước hoặc lụt theo mùa, đồng cỏ nhiệt đới hoặc cận nhiệt đới vùng đất cao, sông ngòi, đầm nước, hồ nước ngọt, hồ nước ngọt có nước theo mùa, đầm nước ngọt, đầm nước ngọt có nước theo mùa, suối nước ngọt, đất canh tác, vùng đồng cỏ, vườn nông thôn, các vùng đô thị, rừng trước đây suy thoái nghiêm trọng, khu vực trữ nước, ao, đất có tưới tiêu, đất nông nghiệp có lụt theo mùa, và kênh đào và mương rãnh.

Người ta đã quan sát thấy các cá thể ếch hyperolius viridiflavus chuyển giới tính của cơ quan sinh dục từ cái sang đực. Điều này dường có thể xuất hiện khi số dân số của chúng không có đủ con đức để cho phép sinh sản và quá trình này kết thúc khi một cú hịch hóa học kích hoạt gen giới tính để chất hóa học phân hủy cơ quan sinh dục con cái và phát triển thành cơ quan sinh dục con đực.

Международное научное название

Hyperolius viridiflavus Dumeril & Bibron, 1841

Охранный статус
Систематика
на Викивидах
Изображения
на Викискладе ITIS 663190NCBI 39591EOL 130067

Изменчивая тростнянка^[1] (лат. Hyperolius viridiflavus) — вид лягушек из семейства Прыгуньи (лат. Hyperoliidae).

Вид распространён в Бурунди, Демократической Республике Конго, Эфиопии, Кении, Руанде, Судане, Танзании, Уганде, и, возможно, больше в Центральноафриканской Республике, Чаде и Эритрее. Обитает в субтропических и тропических сухих и влажных лесах, долинах и горах, сухих и влажных саваннах, также населяет субтропические и тропические дождевые или затопленные низменные пастбища, реки, пресноводные озёра, пруды и родники, пахотные земли, сельские сады, городские районы, резервуары, каналы, орошаемые земли и сезонно заливаемые сельскохозяйственные земли.

В отдельных случаях у лягушек этого вида было замечено изменение половых органов самок на мужские половые органы^[2]. Вероятно, причиной этого является недостаточное количество самцов в популяции.

Примечания

Изменчивая тростнянка (лат. Hyperolius viridiflavus) — вид лягушек из семейства Прыгуньи (лат. Hyperoliidae).

Вид распространён в Бурунди, Демократической Республике Конго, Эфиопии, Кении, Руанде, Судане, Танзании, Уганде, и, возможно, больше в Центральноафриканской Республике, Чаде и Эритрее. Обитает в субтропических и тропических сухих и влажных лесах, долинах и горах, сухих и влажных саваннах, также населяет субтропические и тропические дождевые или затопленные низменные пастбища, реки, пресноводные озёра, пруды и родники, пахотные земли, сельские сады, городские районы, резервуары, каналы, орошаемые земли и сезонно заливаемые сельскохозяйственные земли.

В отдельных случаях у лягушек этого вида было замечено изменение половых органов самок на мужские половые органы. Вероятно, причиной этого является недостаточное количество самцов в популяции.