Tanzaniaherps.org
The herpetofauna of Mountains of Tanzania
Leptopelis uluguruensis , Barbour and Loveridge, 1928
IUCN: VULNERABLE (VU)
type
Holotype: MCZ 13586, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, USAtype locality
Nyange, Uluguru Mountains, Tanzaniarecorded localities
Amani Nature Reserve, Bamba, Kambai, Kwamgumi, Magrotto (estate), Mlinga, Mtai, Nilo, Segoma, Mahenge, Sali, Nguru South, Kanga, Nguru South , Nguu, Nguu North, Udzungwa, Mpanga, Mwanihana , Udzungwa scarp, Uluguru, Uluguru north, West Usambara, Mazumbai,
Habitat and Ecology
It inhabits wet submontane rainforest, but tolerates slight disturbance and is sometimes found in banana patches in forest clearings. However, it is never found in open areas away from mature forest. Its breeding biology is unknown, but it presumably breeds in water, and males call near streams. The eggs are probably laid in nests on land, not far from water (either streams or temporary pools).
Major Threats
Conservation measures
It occurs in the Udzungwa National Park and the Amani Nature Reserve.
Description and Diagnosis
A small Leptopelis (SVL 28-48 mm) with an indistinct tympanum. The dorsum is blue-green in some individuals and yellow-brown in others, often with light, spots or rings. In males the throat is translucent blue. Pupils are vertical. The iris may be brown or silver. Toes are only about ½ webbed. Pectoral glands are not present in males.
Call and Calling bahaviour
Schiøtz (1999) describes the call as “a brief, rather unremarkable clack.”
mp3 of the call
sonagram of the call
Similar species
Individuals with the blue-green dorsal color are never the same bright green color of L. flavomaculatus or L. vermiculatus. The eyes of L. uluguruensis are never red or orange as in L. barbouri.
Data providers
Background information on this species are taken from: Field Guide to the Amphibians of the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Tanzania and Kenya, by Elizabeth B. Harper, G. John Measey, David A. Patrick, Michele Menegon, and James R. Vonesh.Selected Bibliography
Barbour, T. and A. Loveridge. 1928. A comparative study of the herpetological faunae of the Uluguru and Usambara Mountains, Tanganyika Territory with descriptions of new species. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Cambridge, Massachusetts 50: 87-265.
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., J. Poynton, A. Schiøtz and M. Menegon. 2004. Leptopelis uluguruensis. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 08 September 2010.
Schiøtz, A. 1999. Treefrogs of Africa. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main.