Tanzaniaherps.org
The herpetofauna of Mountains of Tanzania
Arthroleptis xenodactylus , Boulenger, 1909
IUCN: VULNERABLE (VU)
type
Holotype: BM 1909.10.19.16, The Natural History Museum, Department of Zoology, London, UK. (Formerly the British Museum)type locality
Amani, East Usambaras, Tanzania.recorded localities
East Usambara, Amani Nature Reserve, Bamba, Kwamarimba, Mlinga, Mtai, Nilo, Nguru South, Kanga, Nguru South , Udzungwa, Mpanga, Udzungwa scarp, West Kilombero Scarp, Uluguru, Mkungwe, Uluguru north,
Habitat and Ecology
It occurs in both lowland and montane forest, living in leaf-litter, under logs, and in the axils of banana leaves. It is not known to what degree it can tolerate alteration of its natural habitat. Eggs are laid in moist soil or leaves and develop directly into frogs without passing through a free-swimming tadpole stage. Emerging frogs can be as small as 5 mm.
Major Threats
Conservation measures
It occurs in the Amani Nature Reserve, but has not yet been recorded from Udzungwa National Park (although it is likely to occur there).
Description and Diagnosis
A very small leaf litter frog (SVL 13-17mm) with a narrow wedge-shaped head and short legs. Dorsal pattern is variable among individuals, but often consists of a darker hourglass figure on a brown background, sometimes with dark sacral spots as well. In most individuals a dark band begins at the tip of the snout and passes under the eye to the tympanum. A small dark patch is usually present around the vent. The ventral surface is dark and evenly speckled with light mottling from the throat to the undersides of the legs. Digit tips are slightly expanded, with a distinct pointed papillate projection. The third finger of males is elongated and edged with small spines which presumably aid in grasping the female during mating.
Call and Calling bahaviour
Males call from exposed sites among leaf litter. The call is a high-pitched chirp.
mp3 of the call
sonagram of the call
Similar species
A. xenodactylus may be confused with A. xenodactyloides and A. stridens, but can be distinguished by its distinctly papillate digit tips.
Data providers
Selected Bibliography
Boulenger, G. A. 1909. Descriptions of three new frogs discovered by Dr. P. Krefft in Usambara, German East Africa. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 8, 4: 496-497.
Frost, D.R. 2010. Amphibian Species of the World: an online reference. Version 5.4 (8 April, 2010). American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/
Harper, E.B., G.J. Measey, D.A. Patrick, M. Menegon and J.R. Vonesh. 2010. Field Guide to the Amphibians of the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Tanzania and Kenya. Camerapix Publishers International, Nairobi, Kenya.
Howell, K. and J. Poynton. 2004. Arthroleptis xenodactylus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 27 August 2010.