Alexteroon

Alexteroon is a genus of frogs, sometimes called the egg-guarding frogs, in the family Hyperoliidae.[2][3][4][5] The genus is endemic to western Central Africa, specifically from Cameroon through Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to western Republic of the Congo and northwestern and northern Angola.[2] They inhabit low- to mid-altitude rainforests near streams.[5] The genus name, joining alexter (=protector) and oon (=egg),[1] refers to the egg-guarding behavior known for Alexteroon obstetricans.[1][5]

Alexteroon
Male Alexteroon hypsiphonus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hyperoliidae
Subfamily: Hyperoliinae
Genus: Alexteroon
Perret, 1988[1]
Type species
Hyperolius obstetricans
Ahl, 1931
Species

3 species (see text)

Species

The genus contains three species:[2][3][4][5]

Description

Alexteroon are relatively small—the largest species, Alexteroon obstetricans, can reach 31 mm (1.2 in) in snout–vent length—and flat-bodied frogs. The pupil is horizontal and the tympanum is distinct. Coloration is brown to green with pattern that changes diurnally. The belly is translucent. Males have a small vocal sac.[5]

Reproduction

Males call with the head raised almost at right angle relative to the body. At least in Alexteroon obstetricans, females guard their eggs. The tadpoles are long and slender, with a long tail that has only narrow fins.[5]

References
  1. Perret, J.-L. (1988). "Sur quelques genres d'Hyperoliidae (Anura) restés en question". Bulletin de la Société Neuchâteloise des Sciences Naturelles (in French). 111: 35–48.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2021). "Alexteroon Perret, 1988". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  3. "Hyperoliidae". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  4. "Alexteroon Perret, 1988". African Amphibians. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  5. Channing, Allan & Rödel, Mark-Oliver (2019). Field Guide to the Frogs & other Amphibians of Africa. Cape Town: Struik Nature. pp. 168–169. ISBN 978-1-77584-512-6.
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