Agalychnis callidryas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Red-eyed tree frog | |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Suborder: | Neobatrachia |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Agalychnis |
| Species: | A. callidryas |
| Binomial name | |
| Agalychnis callidryas Cope, 1862 |
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- For other species commonly known as the Red-eyed Tree Frog, see Litoria chloris
The Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) is an arboreal hylid native to Neotropical rainforests in Central America.
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[edit] Description
Red-eyed tree frogs, as their name states, have bold red eyes with vertically narrowed noses, a vibrant green body with yellow and blue striped sides, and orange toes. There is a great deal of regional variation in flank and thigh coloration [1]. Although it has been suggested that A. callidryas' bright colors function as aposematic or sexual signals, neither of these hypotheses have been confirmed [1]. Males range from 2 to 2 1/2 inches, while female range from 2 1/2 to 3 inches on average. Young frogs are typically brown in color and turn greener as they mature, although adult frogs can change their color slightly depending on mood and environment.[2] Red-eyed tree frogs have soft, fragile skin on their belly, and the skin on their back is thicker and rougher.
Their predators include spiders, snakes, bats, and birds. The red-eyed tree frog has three eyelids and sticky pads on its toes. Phyllomedusid tree frogs are arboreal animals, meaning they spend a majority of their life in trees, which also makes them great jumpers and gives it its nickname the "monkey frog".
Red-eyed tree frogs are not poisonous and rely on camouflage to protect themselves. During the day, they remain motionless, cover their blue sides with their back legs, tuck their bright feet under their belly, and shut their red eyes. Thus, they appear almost completely green, and well hidden among the foliage.
[edit] Diet
Red-eyed tree frogs are carnivorous and eat crickets, moths, flies, and other insects, and have been known to eat other small frogs. For froglets, fruit flies and pinhead crickets are the meals of choice.
[edit] Threats
The following have been listed as threats to the survival of the species:[3]
- Habitat Loss/Degradation - Agriculture - Crops - Shifting Agriculture
- Habitat Loss/Degradation - Agriculture - Crops - Small-holder farming
- Habitat Loss/Degradation - Agriculture - Crops - Agro-industry farming
- Habitat Loss/Degradation - Agriculture - Livestock - Small-holder
- Habitat Loss/Degradation - Agriculture - Livestock - Agro-industry
- Habitat Loss/Degradation - Extraction - Wood - Clear-cutting
- Habitat Loss/Degradation - Infrastructure development - Human settlement
- Pollution (affecting habitat anecting habitat and/or species) - Water pollution
[edit] Reproduction
During the mating season, when rainfall is at its highest, males of the red-eyed tree frog call ("chack") to get the attention of the female, who then caries him on her back around for up to several hours during the opposition process. The female chooses a leaf above a pond and lays her eggs, called a clutch. The eggs develop into small tadpoles , which hatch after several days and fall into the water below [4]. Dragonflies, fish, and water beetles prey on the tadpoles. They remain in the water anywhere from 3 weeks to several months, until they metamorphose, or develop into frogs. Snakes, spiders, bats, and birds of the rainforest are predators of this frog. After full metamorphosis weeks later, the juveniles that survive the first few weeks crawl back into the undergrowth and security of plants in the vicinity of these pools, often in the hollows of tubular plants like bromeliads. Juvenile specimens prey on very small flies and insects during the first months of their lives. The young mature after 2 years and begin mating at the age of 3–4 years. These tree-frogs are known to live as long as 5–10 years (data from captive breeding programs), depending on the health and conditions of their habitat (i.e. abundant plant growth, plenty of fresh water and abundance of small and larger insects to prey on).
They are sometimes successfully bred in captivity if kept under adequate conditions in high-humidity vivaria (e.g. by using misting equipment), tropical plants like bromelia and other epiphyte plants, together with well-aerated water pools. Their captive habitat should have a 11-12-hour light cycle and an average day temperature of 26 to 28 degrees Celsius (with night-time averages of approx. 22 to 24 degrees Celsius). Simulating a rainy season once a year in November/December will encourage reproduction.
[edit] Taxonomy
Red-eyed tree frogs are closely related to Chorus Frogs, which have the same body style and many of the same habits, though chorus frog are more vocal.
[edit] Distribution and habitat
Red-eyed tree frogs inhabit rainforests from southern Mexico, through Central America, to Northern Colombia. They are often found near rivers or ponds.
[edit] See also
- Litoria chloris — the Australian Red-eyed Tree Frog
[edit] References
- ^ a b Robertson, J. M. & Robertson, A. D. 2008. Spatial and temporal patterns of phenotypic variation in a Neotropical frog. pp. 830-843
- ^ "Agalychnis callidryas". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Agalychnis_callidryas.html.
- ^ Solís et al. (2004). Agalychnis callidryas. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
- ^ Pyburn, W. F. 1970. Breeding behavior of the leaf-frogs Phyllomedusa callidryas and Phyllomedusa dacnicolor in Mexico. Copeia, 1970, 209-218.
[edit] External links
Information related to Agalychnis callidrkyas from Wikispecies.
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