Hyperolius tanneri

Hyperolius tanneri is a species of frogs in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to the West Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania.[1][2][3][4] Common name Tanner's reed frog has been coined for this species.[2]

Hyperolius tanneri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Genus: Hyperolius
Species:
H. tanneri
Binomial name
Hyperolius tanneri
Schiøtz, 1982
Synonyms

Hyperolius tannerorum Schiøtz, 1982 — unjustified emendation[2]

Etymology

The specific name tanneri honours John and Lucie Tanner, owners of a tea estate in Mazumbai (the type locality[2]) and noted for welcoming visiting zoologist.[5] In this case, the plural form tannerorum would have been technically correct,[5][3] and in his later work Arne Schiøtz, the scientist who described the species in 1982, amended the spelling accordingly. However, this is considered "unjustified emendation", and the correct name of the species follows the original spelling.[2][3][4]

Description

Males measure 20–23 mm (0.79–0.91 in) and females 29–34 mm (1.1–1.3 in) in snout–vent length.[3][4] In addition to sexual size dimorphism, males differ from females by having rather large, smooth gular flap.[3] The dorsum is green and has light canthal and dorsolateral stripes. The fingers and toes are yellow, and the throat and ventrum are blue-green.[3][4]

Hyperolius tanneri resembles Hyperolius spinigularis, but lacks the black spines on the throat and ventrum of the latter.[4]

Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are undisturbed montane forests. It is only known from two sites, one near the Mazumbai Forest Reserve at 1,410 m (4,630 ft) above sea level, and the other one in the Shume-Magambo Forest Reserve at 1,920 m (6,300 ft) asl. The only known breeding site is a small forest swamp that is bordering a small stream in Mazumbai (suitable swamp also exists in Shume-Magambo).[1]

This species is believed to be decreasing because of habitat loss, caused by agricultural expansion, logging and expanding human settlements. While it occurs in or near protected areas, additional habitat protection would be needed. Because the species is only known from two sites in one location suffering from habitat loss, it has been assessed as "Critically Endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2015). "Hyperolius tanneri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T56212A17191268. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T56212A17191268.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Hyperolius tanneri Schiøtz, 1982". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  3. "Hyperolius tanneri". AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  4. "Hyperolius tanneri Schiøtz 1982". African Amphibians. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  5. Bo Beolens; Michael Watkins; Michael Grayson (22 April 2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 211. ISBN 978-1-907807-44-2.
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