Hyperoliidae (see family information on Tree of Life site)
African Tree Frogs
The family Hyperoliidae consists of 17 genera and over 200 species. The diversity of hyperoliids is restricted to sub-Saharan African and several islands. Two genera are endemic to islands; Heterixalus is found in Madagascar and Tachycnemis is found in the Seychelles Islands. One of the most basal genera, Kassina (running frogs), is terrestrial, but most remaining genera are arboreal (the vernacular name of the family refers to the sedge and bush frogs). Tadpoles typically inhabit ponds, or possibly slow-moving parts of streams, and usually have large tailfins. Many species exhibit bright colors and striking patterns, which are sexually dimorphic in some species. One example is Hyperolius argus, which has been used to study the effects of estrogen-like compounds on development of reproductive organs and external secondary sex features. Males of nearly all species have a prominent gular pad and compete over calling sites. Acanthixalus may communicate via pheromones rather than typical advertisement calls.Morphological characters for this group are: 1) nuptial pads absent; 2) posterolateral process of hyoid absent; 3) sternum cartilaginous; 4) dentomentalis muscle present; 5) pupil vertical in most.
Hyperolius argus
Photo by Robert C. Drewes
(Click for details)
Afrixalus quadrivittatus
Photo by David Blackburn
(Click for details)
Genus Acanthixalus (2 species)
Acanthixalus sonjae no species account no photos no range maps no sounds Acanthixalus spinosus species account photos range maps no sounds
Genus Afrixalus (32 species)
Genus Alexteroon (3 species)
Alexteroon hypsiphonus species account no photos no range maps no sounds Alexteroon jynx species account no photos no range maps no sounds Alexteroon obstetricans species account photos range maps no sounds
Genus Arlequinus (1 species)
Arlequinus krebsi species account photos range maps no sounds
Genus Callixalus (1 species)
Callixalus pictus species account no photos range maps no sounds
Genus Chlorolius (1 species)
Chlorolius koehleri species account photos range maps no sounds
Genus Chrysobatrachus (1 species)
Chrysobatrachus cupreonitens species account no photos range maps no sounds
Genus Cryptothylax (2 species)
Cryptothylax greshoffii species account photos range maps no sounds Cryptothylax minutus species account no photos no range maps no sounds
Genus Heterixalus (11 species)
Heterixalus alboguttatus species account photos range maps no sounds Heterixalus andrakata species account photos range maps no sounds Heterixalus betsileo species account no photos range maps no sounds Heterixalus boettgeri species account photos range maps no sounds Heterixalus carbonei no species account no photos no range maps no sounds Heterixalus luteostriatus species account no photos range maps no sounds Heterixalus madagascariensis species account photos range maps no sounds Heterixalus punctatus species account photos range maps no sounds Heterixalus rutenbergi species account photos no range maps no sounds Heterixalus tricolor species account no photos range maps no sounds Heterixalus variabilis species account photos range maps no sounds
Genus Hyperolius (130 species)