Kingdom Animalia Order Anura Scientific name Acanthixalus Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata Family Hyperoliidae Higher classification Hyperoliinae | |
Lower classifications Acanthixalus spinosus, Acanthixalus sonjae | ||
Acanthixalus, commonly known as the African wart frogs, is a small genus of frogs in the Hyperoliidae family. They occur in rainforests of West and Middle Africa, from Ivory Coast to Congo.
Contents
Species
The genus contains two species:
Description
Both species are very similar in their size and appearance. The only significant morphological difference between then is the wider relative head width in males of A. sonjae compared to A. spinosus. Average adult size is about 35 mm (1.4 in) in snout–vent length, with largest individuals nearly 39 mm (1.5 in) SVL. Males and females are similar in size, but males have a pair of elongate gular glands, larger discs on toes and fingers, and a large number of tarsal spines.
Ecology and behaviour
Acanthixalus live in water-filled cavities of living trees and on tree trunks, from near the ground level to about 5 m above the ground. Acanthixalus have been found in a variety of wooded habitats: secondary and primary forests, both dry and swampy, as well as from a cacao plantation; the main habitat requirement is the presence of large, water-filled cavities.
The tadpoles develop in the cavities. The development time is relatively long, three months or more. While A. spinosus tadpoles are detrivores, those of A. sonjae seem to thrive better with arthropod diet; cannibalism has not been observed.
Both species appear to be mute. It has been speculated that they use olfactory orientation for finding mates instead.