Alexteroon

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Alexteroon
Male Alexteroon hypsiphonus.jpg
Male Alexteroon hypsiphonus
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Subfamily: Hyperoliinae
Genus: Alexteroon
 [fr], 1988[1]
Type species
Hyperolius obstetricans
Ahl, 1931
Species

3 species (see text)

Alexteroon is a genus of frogs, sometimes called the egg-guarding frogs, in the family Hyperoliidae.[2][3][4][5] The genus is endemic to western Central Africa, specifically from Cameroon through Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to western Republic of the Congo and northwestern and northern Angola.[2] They inhabit low- to mid-altitude rainforests near streams.[5] The genus name, joining alexter (=protector) and oon (=egg),[1] refers to the egg-guarding behavior known for Alexteroon obstetricans.[1][5]

Species[]

The genus contains three species:[2][3][4][5]

Description[]

Alexteroon are relatively small—the largest species, Alexteroon obstetricans, can reach 31 mm (1.2 in) in snout–vent length—and flat-bodied frogs. The pupil is horizontal and the tympanum is distinct. Coloration is brown to green with pattern that changes diurnally. The belly is translucent. Males have a small vocal sac.[5]

Reproduction[]

Males call with the head raised almost at right angle relative to the body. At least in Alexteroon obstetricans, females guard their eggs. The tadpoles are long and slender, with a long tail that has only narrow fins.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Perret, J.-L. (1988). "Sur quelques genres d'Hyperoliidae (Anura) restés en question". Bulletin de la Société Neuchâteloise des Sciences Naturelles (in French). 111: 35–48.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Frost, Darrel R. (2021). "Alexteroon Perret, 1988". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Hyperoliidae". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Alexteroon Perret, 1988". African Amphibians. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Channing, Allan & Rödel, Mark-Oliver (2019). Field Guide to the Frogs & other Amphibians of Africa. Cape Town: Struik Nature. pp. 168–169. ISBN 978-1-77584-512-6.
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