Chiromantis petersii is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania and is broadly distributed in the inland areas of both countries.[1][2] Chiromantis kelleri was previously considered subspecies of Chiromantis petersii,[3] but is currently recognized as a distinct species.[1][3] These two species are sympatric in northern Kenya.[1]

Chiromantis petersii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Chiromantis
Species:
C. petersii
Binomial name
Chiromantis petersii
Boulenger, 1882
Synonyms[2]
  • Chiromantis albescens Ahl, 1929
  • Chiromantis fasciatus Ahl, 1929
  • Chiromantis pygmaeus Ahl, 1930
  • Chiromantis pictus Ahl, 1931
  • Chiromantis rugosus Ahl, 1931

Etymology and common names edit

The specific name petersii honours Wilhelm Peters, German zoologist and traveller.[4] Common names Peters' foam-nest treefrog, Peters' foam-nest frog, and central foam-nest tree frog have been proposed for it.[2]

Description edit

Males grow to a snout–vent length of 45 mm (1.8 in) and females to 65 mm (2.6 in). The dorsum is rough and has usually grey and brown colouration, sometimes with darker markings. The throat is pale and may have black speckles. The fingers and the toes are partially webbed and bear small terminal discs. The male advertisement call is a series of quiet creaks.[5]

Habitat and conservation edit

Chiromantis petersii occurs in dry savanna woodland, generally in areas receiving less than 800 mm rain per year. It also occurs in agricultural and suburban situations. Breeding takes place in temporary pools and involves foam nests. It is a widespread and reasonably common species. It is probably not experiencing significant threats, although it might locally be impacted by overgrazing. It is sometimes present in the international pet trade. It occurs in a number of protected areas.[1]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Chiromantis petersii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T58799A18407043. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T58799A18407043.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Chiromantis petersii Boulenger, 1882". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Chiromantis kelleri Boettger, 1893". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  4. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. pp. 166–167. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
  5. ^ Channing, Allan & Rödel, Mark-Oliver (2019). Field Guide to the Frogs & other Amphibians of Africa. Cape Town: Struik Nature. p. 210. ISBN 978-1-77584-512-6.