Biology:Petropedetes

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Petropedetes is a genus of frogs in the family Petropedetidae, found in sub-saharan tropical Africa.[1] In 2002, the genus absorbed all three species of the genus Arthroleptides, but they were moved back in 2014. The informally assigned common name for frogs in this genus (and for frogs in certain other genera) is torrent frogs.

The following species are recognised in the genus Petropedetes:[2]

Description

The genus Petropedetes is characterized by the following features: elongated and cordiform-shaped tongue, free and notched at the back; vomerine teeth behind the choanae, closer to each other than the choanae; unwebbed fingers; and a distinct tympanum.[4][5] Additionally, P. nanator lack absence of tympanic papilla in breeding males.[6]

Perett (1966) has denoted the osteological characteristics as robust and straight clavicles; a hardly bifurcated omosternum; and T-shaped terminal phalanges.[7] These changes vary per species and do not apply to all.

Geographical variations

Source:[4]

The West African specie Petropedetes natator are identical with other genus members on the basis of toes and fingertips, and the presence of femoral glands in males. However, they differ by the presence of morphological features such as external voice sacs, mandibular fangs, a ridge on the tongue and conformation of the rheophilous tadpole, from the Central African species.[8][9][10]

The three East African species P. martiensenni, P. yakunsini, and P. dutoiti match the Central African species by the shape of finger limbs, presence of tympanic papilla and femoral glands.[6] P yakusini males also share anatomical features such as enlarged arms and spines on throat, with the Central African species.[11]

Nevertheless, all East African species are distinct from Central African on the basis of lacking vomerine teeth.[12][13]

Habitat and Behavior

P. parkeri are found in wet, mossy rocks in the forest. They inhabit large rocks crossed by small streams and gather on humid rocky surfaces near torrent water during breeding season. Outside of breeding season these species are found on leaves.[14]


P. perreti inhabit lowland areas of Southern Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon, especially the southern slopes of the Bamiléké Plateau. They lay their clutches on rock surfaces within the splash zones, along mountain streams above 1200 meters.[15]

P. cameronensis occur mainly in lowland, but also from highlands found with P. perreti.[15] This species is known from coastal Cameroonian lowland, south of Limbe. Some occurrences are also noted in Eastern Nigeria.[9][16] Males are observed guarding clutches of eggs at night.[17]

P. juliawurstnerae is known from Mt. Kupe and Meked, adjacent to Bakossi mountains. They settle in riverine vegetation or algae-covered stones 10-20 cm above ground level, occurring in syntopy with P. euskircheni. [18] P. palmipes populate Southern Cameroon,[7] Equatorial Guinea,[19][20] and Gabon.[21] As per Barej et al. (2010)[4], there is little data on the biology of this species. These have been observed in primary forests, Clutches are glued to submerged rocks, while tadpoles are located in stagnant parts of rivers beneath small rapids.[8]

P vulpiae is associated with rocky forest streams and caves Eastern Nigeria and Republic of Congo.[4][22]

P newtonii is found near sea level to 1km above, on Bokio and coastal Cameroon. Juveniles may be found away from water. Collectively, specimens can be found near streams or low vegetations, but occasionally a few feet above waters.[23]

P johnstonii inhabits lowland and mangrove forests. The species does not rely on water for reproduction. Males are seen guarding the nests and clutches which are sited slightly above ground level.

References

  1. ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Petropedetidae Noble, 1931". American Museum of Natural History. http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/Amphibia/Anura/Petropedetidae. 
  2. ↑ "Names assigned to genus Petropedetes". Amphibian Species of the World 5.5 Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/?action=names&taxon=&family=&subfamily=&genus=Petropedetes&commname=&authority=&year=&geo=0&dist=&comment=. 
  3. ↑ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Petropedetes johnstoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T58079A3065109.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/58079/3065109. Retrieved 17 November 2021. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Barej, Michael; S. G. Pauwels, Olivier; Rödel, Mark-Oliver; Böhme, Wolfgang (2010). "Review of the genus Petropedetes Reichenow, 1874 in Central Africa with the description of three new species (Amphibia: Anura: Petropedetidae)". Zootaxa (Magnolia Press): 4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236018700. 
  5. ↑ Reichnow, A. (1874). "Eine Sammlung Lurche und Kriechthiere von Westafrika" (in German). Archiv für Naturgeschichte: 287–298. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Klemens, M.W. (1998). "The male nuptial characteristics of Arthroleptides martiensseni Nieden, an endemic torrent frog from Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains". Herpetological Journal 8: 35–40. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Perett, J.-L (1966). "Les amphibiens du Cameroun" (in German). Zoologische Jahrbücher, Abt. Für Systematik, Ökologie und Geographie der Tiere 8: 289–464. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lamotte, M.; Perett, J.-L; Dzieduszycka, S. (1959). "Contribution à l'étude des Batraciens de l'Ouest africain. - IX. Les formes larvaires de Petropedetes palmipes, Conraua goliath et Acanthixalus spinosus" (in French). Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Afrique Noire A (21): 726–776. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Perett, J.-L (1984). "Identification de Petropedetes obscurus Ahl, 1924 (Amphibia, Phrynobatrachinae), conservés au Muséum de Berlin" (in French). Bulletin de la Société Neuchâteloise des Sciences Naturelles 107: 165–170. 
  10. ↑ Amiet, J.-L (1989). "Quelques aspects de la biologie des Amphibiens Anoures du Cameroun" (in French). L'Année biologique 28: 73–136. 
  11. ↑ Channing, A.; Moyer, D.C.; Howell, K.M. (2002). "Description of a new torrent frog in the genus Arthroleptides from Tanzania (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae)". Alytes 20: 13–27. 
  12. ↑ Nieden, F. (1911). "Verzeichnis der bei Amani in Deutschostafrika vorkommenden Reptilien und Amphibien" (in German). Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin: 441–452. 
  13. ↑ Loveridge, A. (1935). "Scientific results of an expedition to rain forest regions in Eastern Africa I. new reptiles and amphibians from East Africa.". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy 79: 1–19. 
  14. ↑ Sanderson, I.T. (1936). "The amphibians of the Mamfe Division, Cameroon. - II. Ecology of the frogs". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 106: 165–208. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1936.tb02285.x. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Amiet, J.-L (1973). "Caractères diagnostiques de Petropedetes perreti, nov. sp. et notes sur les autres espèces camerounaises du genre (Amphibiens Anoures)" (in French). Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Afrique Noire Series A (35): 462–474. 
  16. ↑ Schiøtz, A. (1963). "The amphibians of Nigeria". Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra Dansk Naturhistorisk Forening I København 125: 1–92. 
  17. ↑ Amiet, J.-L (1991). "Images d'Amphibiens camerounais. IV. Les constructeurs de nids.". Alytes 9: 71–77. 
  18. ↑ Euskirchen, O.; Böhme, W. (1999). "Zur Herpetofauna einer montanen Regenwaldregion in SW-Kamerun (Mt. Kupe und Bakossi-Bergland). II. Arthroleptidae, Ranidae und Phrynobatrachidae" (in German). Herpetofauna 21: 25–34. 
  19. ↑ de la Riva, I.. "Anfibios anuros del Parque Nacional de Monte Alén, Río Muni, Guinea Equatorial" (in Spanish). Revista Española de Herpetología 8: 123–139. 
  20. ↑ Lasso, C.A.; Rial, A.I.; Castroviejo, J.; de la Riva, I. (2002). "Herpetofauna del Parque Nacionale de Monte Alén (Río Muni, Guinea Equatorial).". Graellsia 58 (2): 21–34. doi:10.3989/graellsia.2002.v58.i2.276. 
  21. ↑ Lötters, S.; Gossmann, V.; Obame, F.; Böhme, W. (2001). "Zur Herpetofauna Gabuns Teil I: Einleitung, Untersuchungsgebiet und Methodik, kommentierte Artenliste der gefundenen Froschlurche". Herpetofauna 23: 19–34. 
  22. ↑ S G Pauwels, Olivier; Carlino, Piero; Chirio, Laurent; Testa, Olivier; R Daversa, David; Lips, Josiane; Oslisly, Richard (2019). "Amphibians and Reptiles Found in Caves in Gabon, Western Equatorial Africa". Cave and Karst Science 46 (1): 7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332859934. 
  23. ↑ Sánchez-Vialas, Alberto; Calvo-Revuelta, Marta; Castroviejo-Fisher, Santiago; de la Riva, Ignacio (2018). "The Taxonomic Status of Petropedetes newtonii (Amphibia, Anura, Petropedetidae)". ZooKeys (765): 59–78. doi:10.3897/zookeys.765.24764. PMID 29904270. Bibcode: 2018ZooK..765...59S. 

Wikidata ☰ Q2118759 entry



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