Hyperolius thomensis

Hyperolius thomensis is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe.[1][2][3] Common name Sao Tome giant treefrog has been coined for it.[3] It is the largest Hyperolius species.[3][4]

Hyperolius thomensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Genus: Hyperolius
Species:
H. thomensis
Binomial name
Hyperolius thomensis
Bocage, 1886
Synonyms[2]

Rappia thomensis (Bocage, 1886)
Nesionixalus thomensis (Bocage, 1886)

Taxonomy and systematics

The species was named by José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage in 1886.[2] It is the type species of the genus Nesionixalus Perret, 1976. Its sister taxon Hyperolius molleri has also been placed in Nesionixalus. Together, these two species form a clade, but its recognition as a genus would render rest of Hyperolius paraphyletic.[5] The two species can form hybrids.[6]

Description

Adult males measure 27–41 mm (1.1–1.6 in) and adult females 36–49 mm (1.4–1.9 in) in snout–vent length.[3][5] The dorsum is uniform brown or green to blue-green. The venter is marbled in white, orange and black. The ventral surfaces of the limbs are richly marbled in orange and black. Males have their dorsum densely beset with small spines. The pupil is horizontal.[3]

Habitat and conservation

Hyperolius thomensis inhabits primary rainforests at altitudes above 800 metres (2,600 ft). Previous reports from towns are considered questionable. Breeding takes place in tree holes where their tadpoles develop, and the same hole can be utilized by many individuals.[1][4]

The threats to this species are poorly known, but it is probably impacted by habitat loss caused by agriculture, livestock, wood extraction, and human settlements. Its range includes the Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé.[7]

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References
  1. Drewes, R. & Schiøtz, A. (2004). "Hyperolius thomensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T56289A11442549. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T56289A11442549.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Hyperolius thomensis Bocage, 1886". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  3. "Hyperolius thomensis Sao Tome Giant Treefrog". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  4. Drewes, R. C.; Stoelting, R. E. (2004). "The California Academy of Sciences Gulf of Guinea expedition (2001) II. Additions and corrections to our knowledge of the endemic amphibians of São Tomé́ and Príncipe". Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 55 (31): 573–587.
  5. Drewes, R. C.; Wilkinson, J. A. (2004). "The California Academy of Sciences Gulf of Guinea expedition (2001) I. The taxonomic status of the genus Nesionixalus with comments on the genus Hyperolius". Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 55 (20): 395–407.
  6. Bell, Rayna C.; Drewes, Robert C.; Zamudio, Kelly R. (2015). "Reed frog diversification in the Gulf of Guinea: Overseas dispersal, the progression rule, and in situ speciation". Evolution. 69 (4): 904–915. doi:10.1111/evo.12623. PMID 25715968.
  7. "DOPA: Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé". Joint Research Centre. Retrieved 1 November 2018.

Further reading
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