Hyperolius castaneus
Hyperolius castaneus
Hyperolius castaneus is a reed frog, who lives on the slopes of the mountains which bound the Central African rift. Since it is quite common in its relatively small area of distribution, its inventory is an indicator of the threat of mountain forests in the Western Rift which also includes the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes include, where the mountain gorillas are native.
Features
Hyperolius castaneus is a medium sized representative of the approximately 130 species comprising the genus Hyperolius, males reach a length of 22 mm to 26 mm, females are 25 to 36 mm long. The coloration is variable and is comprised of various green and brown tones, with hand and legs, it can be yellowish to reddish - brown, on the flanks and feet maroon to orange. There are variations that are brown on the upper side, others have a green colored back. The green specimens have often diffuse darker spots on the back, the brown may have irregular black spots, which are edged bright green. Laterally the dorsal coloration is limited by an irregular jagged line. The throat of the male is yellow. The pupils are horizontal.
Similar Species
The frog is similar to Hyperolius lateralis, with which it also occurs in the same habitat. Some color variations of Hyperolius castaneus can hardly be distinguished from Hyperolius lateralis, although this is generally found in deeper regions. 2013, Hyperolius castaneus subspecies constellatus was recognized from the Itombwe Mountains as a separate species Hyperolius constellatus.
Subspecies
After separation of the species Hyperolius constellatus the subspecies Hyperolius castaneus submarginatus was allocated from the Kabobo Mountains of the new species. It remains next to the nominate Hyperolius castaneus castaneus only the subspecies Hyperolius castaneus rhodogaster that occurs on the western Itombwe plateau in mean height levels. Your phylogentischer status has not yet been adequately investigated.
Dissemination
According to the describer of Ernst Ahl as the type locality of origin " volcano area northeast of Lake Kivu ", which according to view of Roelke Smith and the Virunga Volcanoes can only be meant. These volcanoes are part of the western arm of the East African grave breach that forms the borders of Rwanda and Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo. This part of the grave breach is also called Albert Rift and extends across Lake Albert to Uganda. On the mountain slopes flanking the grave breach, Hyperolius castaneus occurs at altitudes 1600-2850 meters. He lives in the humid subtropical to tropical mountain forests and lays its eggs in the waters or swamps of the upper montane grasslands from. By clearing the mountain forests of its holdings are at risk.