Order Anura Genus Hypsiboas Higher classification Hypsiboas | Phylum Chordata Scientific name Hypsiboas rosenbergi Rank Species | |
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Similar Frog, Hypsiboas, Amphibians, Hylidae, Canal Zone tree | ||
Hypsiboas rosenbergi (common names: Rosenberg's treefrog, Rosenberg's gladiator frog, or Rosenberg's gladiator treefrog) is a species of frog in the family Hylidae found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and northwestern Ecuador. Its name is a testimony to Mr. W. F. H. Rosenberg who collected the type series, and in English, to the aggressiveness of males of the species.
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Description
Males of H. rosenbergi measure on average 83 mm (3.3 in) in snout–vent length and females 86 mm (3.4 in). It has partly webbed fingers and entirely webbed toes, and large disks in both fingers and toes. Its skin is granulated with small warts, and yellowish, greyish, or reddish in colour, with brown or blackish marbling or spots.
Reproduction
Gladiator frogs are so named because of the aggressive nature of males. Female gladiator frogs only mate with males that provide a nest. Males can acquire a nest either by building one, using a suitable water-filled depression, or conquering another male's nest; the aggressive behaviour of males relates to the third strategy. The way of acquiring a nest depends on local conditions (availability of suitable sites for nest construction or suitable natural depressions) and may differ between populations. Thus, in some populations, males do not fight, possibly reflecting high abundance of suitable nests, and reduced risk of hostile take-overs.
Habitat and conservation
H. rosenbergi inhabits primary and secondary forest, as well as in heavily altered areas such as small strips of trees in pastureland. It is considered an adaptable species that is not facing any significant threats.