Heterixalus boettgeri

Heterixalus boettgeri is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to Madagascar and occurs in the extreme southeastern and southern parts of the island.[1][2] The specific name boettgeri honours Oskar Boettger, a German zoologist.[3] Common name Boettger's reed frog has been coined for it.[2][3]

Heterixalus boettgeri
Heterixalus boettgeri in a dried upper pitcher of Nepenthes madagascariensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Genus: Heterixalus
Species:
H. boettgeri
Binomial name
Heterixalus boettgeri
(Mocquard, 1902)
Synonyms[2]

Megalixalus boettgeri Mocquard, 1902
Megalixalus mocquardi Boettger, 1913
Heterixalus mocquardi (Boettger, 1913)

Description

Adult males measure 22–25 mm (0.87–0.98 in) and adult females 27–29 mm (1.1–1.1 in)[4] or even 32 mm (1.3 in) in snout–vent length.[5] The tympanum is distinct but small (¼ of the eye diameter).[5] The dorsum is uniformly greenish, or more yellowish in males. Juveniles have light dorsolateral bands that are not present in adults. The thighs, ventral surface of limbs, hands, and feet are orange. The venter is creamish.[4][5]

The tadpoles grow to at least 37 mm (1.5 in) in total length (Gosner stage 40), of which the body makes up about one third.[4]

Habitat and conservation

This species occurs in a range of habitats at elevations below 300 m (980 ft) asl: dry forests, rainforest edges, littoral forests immediately behind sand dunes, deforested areas, croplands, as well as villages and urban areas.[1] Males call after rainfall at night in sun-exposed swamps and rice-fields.[4] It is a locally common and adaptable species that is unlikely to face major threats. It is found in low number in the international pet trade. It occurs in some protected areas (Cape Sainte Marie Special Reserve, Mandena Classified Forest), possibly including the Andohahela National Park.[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Heterixalus boettgeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T56099A84160052. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T56099A84160052.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Heterixalus boettgeri (Mocquard, 1902)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  3. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. pp. 25–26. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
  4. "Heterixalus boettgeri". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  5. Blommers-Schlösser, Rose M.A. (1982). "Observations on the Malagasy frog genus Heterixalus Laurent, 1944 (Hyperoliidae)". Beaufortia. 32 (1): 1–11.
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