Afrixalus weidholzi

Afrixalus weidholzi: Weidholz's Banana Frog

Afrixalus weidholzi is a small amphibian species belonging to the family Hyperoliidae, commonly recognized by the names Weidholz's banana frog or Weidholz's leaf-folding frog. This species is notable for its distinctive breeding behavior and specific coloration, which aids in its identification within its natural habitat.

Distribution and Habitat

Weidholz's banana frog is found across a wide but patchy distribution in the savannas of West and Central Africa. Its confirmed range extends from The Gambia and Senegal in the west eastward to the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, bordering South Sudan. It is also expected to occur in several intervening countries, though its presence is often limited by the scarcity of herpetological surveys in these regions.

The natural habitats of Afrixalus weidholzi encompass both dense, moist savannas and more open, dry savanna environments. Crucially, breeding activities occur in temporary ponds, where males are known to call from dense, low grass. While the species can tolerate some degree of habitat alteration and is sometimes locally common, it can be adversely affected by overgrazing, though this remains a localized concern.

Description and Reproduction

Adult Afrixalus weidholzi are small frogs, measuring approximately 18 to 23 millimeters in snout-to-vent length. Their dorsal coloration is typically whitish to yellow, marked by a thin, dark vertebral line that is most prominent posteriorly. A more pronounced, dark lateral stripe runs from the tip of the snout to the groin, further defining its appearance.

Reproduction involves males calling with a quiet, high-pitched buzzing sound from low, dense grass in shallowly flooded areas. The eggs are deposited in small clusters, carefully placed within transversally folded grass leaves that are then glued together with jelly. Newly metamorphosed froglets are quite small, measuring about 10.5 millimeters.