Afrixalus laevis is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in southern Cameroon, northern Gabon, Bioko (Equatorial Guinea; expected but not recorded in the mainland part of the country), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and south-western Uganda. Its range may extend to the neighboring countries.[1][2] The common names smooth spiny reed frog and Liberian banana frog have been coined for it.[2]
| Afrixalus laevis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hyperoliidae |
| Genus: | Afrixalus |
| Species: | A. laevis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Afrixalus laevis (Ahl, 1930)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description edit
Adult males measure 20–23 mm (0.8–0.9 in) and adult females 23–25 mm (0.9–1.0 in) in snout–vent length. The head is large and the eyes protruding. The dorsum is translucent posteriorly and yellowish with a varying brown pattern anteriorly. Also the limbs are transparent. There is a brown canthal stripe that continues behind the eye.[3]
The male advertisement call consists of single clacks.[3]
Habitat and conservation edit
Afrixalus laevis occurs in forest interior. Unusually for Afrixalus , breeding does not take place in standing water: the eggs are deposited on a leaf (without folding it) near flowing water.[1][3]
Afrixalus laevis is reasonably common in parts of its range. However, it does not occur in modified habitats, and it is locally threatened by the destruction of its forest habitat caused by agricultural encroachment, expanding human settlements, and collection of wood. It occurs in several protected areas.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Afrixalus laevis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T56067A18370863. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T56067A18370863.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Afrixalus laevis (Ahl, 1930)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ a b c "Afrixalus laevis". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2018.