Hyperolius poweri

Hyperolius poweri
Hyperolius poweri was previously included in Hyperolius acuticeps. Based on the locality (Durban), this frog identified as H. acuticeps is H. poweri.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Genus: Hyperolius
Species:
H. poweri
Binomial name
Hyperolius poweri
Loveridge, 1938

Hyperolius poweri is a species of frogs in the family Hyperoliidae.[1][2][3][4] It is found in southeastern coast of South Africa[1][2][3][4] and southern Mozambique.[2] The specific name poweri honours John Hyacinth Power, Irish-born director of the McGregor Museum (Kimberley, South Africa) who collected amphibians as well as reptiles and plants.[5] Accordingly, common names Power's reed frog[1][2][3][4] and Power's long reed frog have been proposed for this species.[6]

Taxonomy

Hyperolius poweri was described by Arthur Loveridge in 1938 based on material from near Stanger in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.[2] It belongs to the taxonomically difficult Hyperolius nasutus group.[6] For a period, Hyperolius poweri was considered synonym of Hyperolius acuticeps, but is now recognized as a distinct species. On the other hand, Hyperolius acuticeps itself is now considered synonym of Hyperolius microps.[2]

Description

Males grow to 20 mm (0.8 in) and females to 25 mm (1.0 in) in snout–vent length. The snout is bluntly rounded in lateral view and sharply rounded from above. The toes are extensively webbed. The fingers and toes bear yellowish-green discs that are larger in the former. The dorsum is green with white lateral bands that run from over the eyes to the vent (sometimes these bands are not visible). There is a dark line running from the tip of the snout to the eyes. Males have white throat.[4]

Habitat and conservation

Hyperolius poweri occurs in association with emergent vegetation at the margins of swamps, rivers and lakes in savanna and grassland habitats.[1] Males call from sedges and other emergent vegetation.[4]

Although threatened by habitat loss and degradation, Hyperolius poweri has a relatively wide distribution and plenty of suitable habitat remaining, and it has been assessed as of "least concern" (2016). It is present in many protected areas. Nevertheless, the overall population appears to have declined.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. (2017). "Hyperolius poweri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T136026A100902836. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T136026A100902836.en. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Frost, Darrel R. (2022). "Hyperolius poweri Loveridge, 1938". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Hyperolius poweri". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e Channing, Allan & Rödel, Mark-Oliver (2019). Field Guide to the Frogs & other Amphibians of Africa. Cape Town: Struik Nature. p. 180. ISBN 978-1-77584-512-6.
  5. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 171. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
  6. ^ a b Channing, A.; Hillers, A.; Lötters, S.; Rödel, M.-O.; Schick, S.; Conradie, W.; Rödder, D.; Mercurio, V.; Wagner, P.; Dehling, J. M.; Preez, L. H. Du; Kielgast, J. & Burger, M. (2013). "Taxonomy of the super-cryptic Hyperolius nasutus group of long reed frogs of Africa (Anura: Hyperoliidae), with descriptions of six new species". Zootaxa. 3620 (3): 301–350. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3620.3.1.