Zhangixalus omeimontis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Zhangixalus
Species:
Z. omeimontis
Binomial name
Zhangixalus omeimontis
(Stejneger, 1924)
Synonyms
  • Polypedates omeimontis Stejneger, 1924
  • Rhacophorus omeimontis (Stejneger, 1924)

Zhangixalus omeimontis is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae endemic to China. Its common name is Omei whipping frog or Omei treefrog, in reference to its type locality, Mount Emei (Chinese: 峨嵋山; pinyin: Éméi Shān; Wade–Giles: O2-mei2 Shan1) in Sichuan.[2] It is found in southern and central China in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, and Hubei provinces. It has been observed between 200 and 700 meters above sea level.[1][2] It is a relatively common frog that inhabits forests, and sometimes farmland. It breeds in still water (pools and ponds). Agriculture and logging are threats to this species.[1]

Description

Zhangixalus omeimontis are moderately large frogs: males grow to a snout–vent length of about 59 mm (2.3 in) and females to 76 mm (3.0 in).[3] Maximum sizes can be even higher, reaching at least 70 mm (2.8 in) in males and 84 mm (3.3 in) in females.[4] They tend to be bigger and older at cooler sites (i.e., at higher altitudes). Maximum age is at least eight years.[5]

Tadpoles are up to 45 mm (1.8 in) in length.[3]

Reproduction

Zhangixalus omeimontis breed between mid-April and late July. Breeding takes place during night-time. Males arrive before females, climbing in the vegetation close to a pond and calling while perched on stems or leaves. When a male spots an approaching female, it approaches the female and clasps her. The pair then moves to oviposition site above the pond. The female then makes a foam nest while the pair is in amplexus. In addition to the first male, several other males may join, forming a spawning group. The primary male often leaves the female before she has spawned all her eggs.[4]

Clutch size is several hundred eggs, with one study finding a range of 457–837 eggs. Eggs diameter is about 3 mm (0.12 in); diameter and clutch size are negatively correlated (big clutches tend to contain smaller eggs). Eggs hatch after about 12 to 17 days. The eggs are placed on upper leaf surfaces, facilitating the washing of tadpoles into breeding ponds by rainfall.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Zhangixalus omeimontis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T58961A63884080. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T58961A63884080.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Rhacophorus omeimontis (Stejneger, 1924)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  3. 1 2 Fei, L. (1999). Atlas of Amphibians of China (in Chinese). Zhengzhou: Henan Press of Science and Technology. p. 280. ISBN 7-5349-1835-9.
  4. 1 2 3 Liao, W. B.; Lu, X. (2010). "Breeding behaviour of the Omei tree frog Rhacophorus omeimontis (Anura: Rachophoridae) in a subtropical montane region". Journal of Natural History. 44 (47–48): 2929–2940. doi:10.1080/00222933.2010.502594. S2CID 86466993.
  5. ↑ Liao, W. B.; Lu, X. (2011). "Variation in body size, age and growth in the Omei treefrog (Rhacophorus omeimontis) along an altitudinal gradient in western China". Ethology Ecology & Evolution. 23 (3): 248–261. doi:10.1080/03949370.2011.567298. S2CID 84226948.
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