Heterixalus rutenbergi
Encyclopedia
Heterixalus rutenbergi is a species
of frog
in the Hyperoliidae
family.
It is endemic to Madagascar
.
Its natural habitat
s are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland
, swamp
s, freshwater marsh
es, intermittent freshwater marches, and arable land
.
It is threatened by habitat loss.
The dorsal surface of this frog is light green. It has five white bands which are bordered by dark brown stripes that run longitudinally along its back. On the sides of the limbs there are two similar bands, and one along the feet. The ventral surface is creamish and the underside of limbs are orange.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
in the Hyperoliidae
Hyperoliidae
Hyperoliidae is a family of small to medium sized, brightly colored, frogs which contains more than 250 species in 19 genera. Seventeen genera are native to sub-Saharan Africa. In addition,the monotypic genus Tachycnemis occurs on the Seychelles Islands, and the genus Heterixalus is endemic to...
family.
It is endemic to Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
.
Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
, swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
s, freshwater marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
es, intermittent freshwater marches, and arable land
Arable land
In geography and agriculture, arable land is land that can be used for growing crops. It includes all land under temporary crops , temporary meadows for mowing or pasture, land under market and kitchen gardens and land temporarily fallow...
.
It is threatened by habitat loss.
Description
Heterixalus rutenbergi averages 25mm in length.The dorsal surface of this frog is light green. It has five white bands which are bordered by dark brown stripes that run longitudinally along its back. On the sides of the limbs there are two similar bands, and one along the feet. The ventral surface is creamish and the underside of limbs are orange.