- Hyperoliidae
Taxobox
name = Sedge and Bush Frogs
image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Heterixalus alboguttatus "
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Amphibia
ordo =Anura
familia = Hyperoliidae
subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies
subdivision =Hyperoliinae Kassininae
Leptopelinae
TachycnemidaeHyperoliidae is a family of small to medium sized, brightly colored,
frog s which contains more than 250 species in 19 genera. Seventeen genera are native to sub-Saharan Africa [Shiotz, 1999] . In addition,themonotypic genus "Tachycnemis " occurs on theSeychelles Islands , and the genus "Heterixalus " (currently 10 species) is endemic toMadagascar .Hyperoliids range from convert|1.5|cm|in to convert|8|cm|in in body length. Many species have smooth, brightly patterned, skin that almost looks enameled.cite book |editor=Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.|author= Zweifel, Robert G.|year=1998|title=Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians|publisher= Academic Press|location=San Diego|pages= 100-101|isbn= 0-12-178560-2]
Most Hyperoliids are arboreal, but some are terrestrial, including several "
Kassina " species that move by walking or running rather than hopping. Diet varies widely, with examples including "Tornierella ", who specialize on snailsfact|date=September 2008, and "Afrixalus fornasinii ", the only terrestrial frog known to prey on eggs of other species ofanura ns.Breeding in this family begins at the start of the rainy season where Hyperoliids congregate at breeding sites. Most hyperoliids lay their eggs in water, although foam nesting, tree hole breeding, and laying of eggs in vegetation above water are all known behaviors. "
Afrixalus " builds leaf nests for its eggs, by folding and gluing the edges of the leaves.Tadpole s are pond type larvae with large dorsal fins on the tail.No fossil hyperoliids are known.
Classification
Family HYPEROLIIDAE
* Subfamily Hyperoliinae
** GenusAcanthixalus - African wart frogs
** GenusAlexteroon - Midwife frogs
** GenusArlequinus - Mebebque frogs
** GenusCallixalus - African painted frogs
** GenusChlorolius - Koehler's green frogs
** GenusChrysobatrachus - Itombwe golden frogs
** GenusCryptothylax - Wax frogs
** GenusHeterixalus - Madagascan reed frogs
** GenusHyperolius - African reed frogs
** GenusNesionixalus
* Subfamily Kassininae
** GenusAfrixalus - Banana frogs
** GenusKassina - Running frogs
** GenusKassinula - Clicking frogs
** GenusOpisthothylax - Grey-eyed frogs
** GenusParacassina - Common striped frogs
** GenusPhlyctimantis - African striped frogs
** GenusSemnodactylus - Weal's frogs
** GenusTornierella
* Subfamily Leptopelinae
** GenusLeptopelis
* Subfamily Tachycneminae
** GenusTachycnemis - Seychelles Islands frogsLinks to Species
*
Hyperolius argus - Argus Reed Frog, African Reed Frog
*Leptopelis vermiculatus - Big-Eyed Tree FrogReferences
Schiotz, A. 1999. Treefrogs of Africa. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt, ISBN 3-930612-24-0
External links
* [http://www.infochembio.ethz.ch/links/en/zool_kriecht_froesche_laub_afrikan.html African Tree Frogs Herpetology (images)]
* [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hyperoliidae.html Hyperoliidae information]
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