Leptopelis is a genus of frogs in the family Arthroleptidae. They are found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa,[1] excluding Madagascar.[2] It is placed in monotypicsubfamilyLeptopelinae,[3][4] although this subfamily is not always recognized.[2] They have a number of common names, including forest treefrogs, tree frogs, leaf-frogs,[1] and big-eyed frogs.[5]
Description
Leptopelis are mostly medium-sized frogs (snout–vent length 26–42 mm (1.0–1.7 in)), but Leptopelis palmatus can reach 87 mm (3.4 in).[4]Tympanum is present. Most species have expended digit tips.[2]
Ecology
Leptopelis are mainly arboreal, but some species, especially in more arid areas, are terrestrial or even subfossorial.[2][4] Breeding typically starts with the heavy rains in the beginning of the wet season. Eggs may be deposited either in water or in/on the ground. Development includes a free-living tadpole stage, with a possible exception of Leptopelis brevirostris, whose large eggs suggest that development could be direct.[4] Males typically call in bushes or trees a meter or more above the ground.[2]
L. vermiculatus is found in international pet trade.[6] They are hardy frogs that adapt well to captivity, and readily consume commercially available crickets.
References
^ abcdFrost, Darrel R. (2018). "Leptopelis Günther, 1859". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
^ abcdeBlackburn, David C. (2011). "Family Arthroleptidae". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
^Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Leptopelinae Laurent, 1972". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
^ abcdVitt, Laurie J. & Caldwell, Janalee P. (2014). Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (4th ed.). Academic Press. pp. 514–515.
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