Hyperolius horstockii, known as the Arum Frog, is a species 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 South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

.

Identification

Adult length: 40 mm.They have bright orange feet and can change their colour in order to camouflage themselves.
The top of the body is cream to brown, sometimes with small black spots. A distinctive pale dorsolateral line runs from the snout along the flanks, with a dark brown lateral band underneath. A fine dark line usually separates the pale line from the brown band. The concealed surfaces of limbs, webbing and discs are orange to red. Underneath the frog is creamy white and slightly granular. The gular flap in males is bright ochre. Pupil horizontal.

Tadpoles reach 40 mm. They are brown with longitudinal darker bands on the tail.

Habitat

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 Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, river

River

A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...

s, 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, intermittent freshwater lake

Lake

A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...

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 pond

Pond

A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake. A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds, including water gardens, water features and koi ponds; all designed for aesthetic ornamentation as landscape or architectural...

s. It is frequently found lying at the bottom of Arum lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica

Zantedeschia aethiopica

Zantedeschia aethiopica ; syn. Calla aethiopica L., Richardia africana Kunth, Richardia aethiopica Spreng., Colocasia aethiopica Spreng...

), trying to catch pollinating insects.
It is threatened by habitat loss.

Behaviour

These frogs are sometimes found in arum lily flowers where they can change colour to perfectly match the surroundings. This makes them virtually invisible to predators as well as to their insect prey. They use the pollen of the flowers to camouflage themselves. At night they creep out of the flower and down the stem to hunt for insects.

Threats

They are threatened because arum lily flowers are picked and sold.
Setting the facts straight on arum lilies and frogs
A recent joint press release issued by the City of Cape Town,
CapeNature and SANBI:
There has been inaccurate information circulating about the sale of arum lilies, and the protection
of two of the Cape's amphibians, the arum lily frog and micro frog. A campaign urging residents
not to purchase arum lilies from vendors at the side of the road seems to be gaining momentum
whilst spreading inaccurate information about arum lilies and frogs. This misleading information
has also gone viral, and is being spread via e-mail and social networking tools. It is important that
the public understand the facts about these frogs, before making a decision on whether or not to
purchase the flowers.
Correct information about arum lily frog
The Environmental Management (ERM) Department, in conjunction with CapeNature and the
South African National Biodiversity Institute would therefore like to highlight the facts.
The information being circulated refers to the ‘arum lily micro frog' which does not exist. There
are, however, two different species of frog, namely the micro frog (Microbatrachella capensis)
and the arum lily frog (Hyperolius horstockii). The micro frog is smaller than a fingernail, while
the arum lily frog is somewhat larger, growing to about 40 mm in length. It has been reported that
the ‘arum lily micro frog' is in danger because of the sale of arum lilies, but this is not at all
correct for either of the frog species.
The supposed threat to these frogs' habitat has been cited as one of the main reasons why the
public should not buy arum lilies. However, no frog species breeds in the flowers of arum lilies.
While the arum lily frog occasionally uses the flowers for shelter, it is not dependant on them.
Arum lily frogs breed in wetlands and not in the flowers of the arums. The micro frog is grounddwelling,
breeding in temporary pools, and it does not climb into any flowers.
Arum lily frogs are very pale and they hide their bright orange feet and legs under their bodies
during the day. In this way, the frog is able to use a white background as camouflage against
predators and this background is sometimes the white arum flower. They do not use the pollen of
the flowers to camouflage themselves, as has been suggested.
While arum lily frogs are only found in the Western Cape (and a small area of the Eastern Cape),
they are not classified as threatened in the 2004 Red Data book. However, it is true that the
species is becoming increasingly rare as their habitat is lost to urban development.
Only buy from traders in demarcated areas - not roving hawkers
While the illegal harvesting of arum lilies will not lead to the extinction of arum lily frogs, the
sale of illegally harvested flora at traffic lights is cause for concern. If left unchecked, other
illegally harvested plants such as proteas, ericas, and various bulb species may be seen at traffic
lights in the future.
The City does not wish to deter the public from purchasing flowers from hawkers - as long as
they are legal retailers. All roving vendors and intersection traders selling flowers are illegal.
However, traders selling flowers in demarcated trading bays are legal, and regulated by the City.
The City encourages the public to report illegal trading on 021 596 1400/1424.
"The ERM Department is always grateful when residents spread its messages because the need
for awareness is so great. Unfortunately, this message has become lost in translation, and we
hope that the correct information, as it appears above, will spread in the same manner," said the
City's Biodiversity Co-ordinator, Clifford Dorse.
The ERM Department is currently updating its pamphlets on frogs and lilies, and will distribute
them widely in an attempt to ensure that the public receives the correct information.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 02 September 2010 14:00 )