Italian tree frog
Italian tree frog ( Hyla intermedia)
The Italian tree frog ( Hyla intermedia) is a species of amphibian in the genus of tree frogs, which is common in southern Switzerland and Italy, including Sicily. It was a long time only as a subspecies of the European tree frog (Hyla arborea ) is considered.
Features
The Italian tree frog is externally almost indistinguishable from the European tree frog. It has a slightly larger eardrum, also the dark stripes on the flanks often begins only after the eyes trailing edge.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Italian tree frog covers the entire Apennine peninsula with Sicily and reached the north, the southern tip of the Swiss canton of Ticino, as well as in the east to the far west of Slovenia. It is believed that the frog can be found on the territory of the small state of San Marino and the Vatican State. Here, Hyla intermedia comes at altitudes from sea level to 1855 m before. Overlaps with the site of the European tree frog, it is not.
The species prefers forested lowlands and spawns in small, sunny Still waters.
Endangering
The Italian tree frog is classified in the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN as not at risk ( "Least Concern" ), because it has a relatively large area of distribution, greater adaptability to habitat changes and a relatively large total population is assumed. But the species is quite as regional threat; in Switzerland it is classified for example as endangered ( "endangered "). The main threat comes from an increasing habitat loss and water pollution, especially by agro chemical.