De Villiers' moss frog

De Villiers' moss frog
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Pyxicephalidae
Genus: Arthroleptella
Species:
A. villiersi
Binomial name
Arthroleptella villiersi
Hewitt, 1935

The De Villiers' moss frog (Arthroleptella villiersi) is a minute species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae, which is endemic to the Western Cape, South Africa.[1] At around 22 mm (0.87 in) length, it is one of the smallest regional species, though larger than the micro frog.[2]

As with other moss frogs, they do not enter water, but females lay their eggs in damp vegetation, and the frogs hatch directly from the egg capsules.[2] Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.

References

  1. ^ a b IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Arthroleptella villiersi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T58063A18403581. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T58063A18403581.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Wolfart, Stephen (2006). The Southern Tip of Africa. David Philip Publishers. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-86486-698-1.


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