Hyperolius molleri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hyperolius molleri |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Hyperolius
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| Species: |
molleri
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Rappia molleri Bedriaga, 1892 |
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The Hyperolius molleri is a type of frog that belongs to the Hyperoliidae family. It is special because it lives only on São Tomé Island. This means it is endemic to that island.
For a while, people thought this frog also lived on another island called Príncipe. But in 2016, scientists found out that those frogs were actually a different species. They named them Hyperolius drewesi.
Contents
About the Moller's Reed Frog
How Scientists Name Animals
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to name and group all living things. This helps them understand how different species are related.
The Hyperolius molleri frog was first described by a scientist named Jacques von Bedriaga in 1892. He named the frog after Adolphe F. Moller. Moller was a Portuguese botanist who studied plants on São Tomé Island.
This frog is part of a larger group of similar frogs called the Hyperolius cinnamomeoventris species complex. Sometimes, Hyperolius molleri can even create hybrids with another frog species, Hyperolius thomensis. This means they can have offspring together.
What the Moller's Reed Frog Looks Like
These frogs are not very big. Adult male Hyperolius molleri frogs are about 24 to 31 millimeters long. That's about the size of a small paperclip! Adult females are a bit larger, measuring about 31 to 33 millimeters.
The frog's back, called its dorsum, can be bright green or brown. It has tiny, fine bumps on its skin. Young frogs have light lines along their sides. The underside of the frog, called the ventrum, is either plain white or red. The undersides of its legs can also be white or red. The frog's pupil, which is the dark part in the center of its eye, is shaped horizontally.
Where the Moller's Reed Frog Lives
Habitat and Life Cycle
The Hyperolius molleri frog can live in many different places on São Tomé Island. You can find it in thick forests, on farms, in coconut groves, and even in coffee plantations. It can also live in areas where the land has been changed by people. These frogs live from areas near the sea all the way up to mountains, at heights of about 1,420 meters above sea level.
When it's time to lay eggs, the female frog places them on the surface of leaves. These leaves are usually found above still water or water that moves very slowly. After the eggs hatch, the baby frogs, called tadpoles, grow and develop in the water.
Conservation Status
The Hyperolius molleri frog is quite common on São Tomé Island. Scientists do not think it is in danger. This is because it can adapt well to changes in its habitat. It can live in many different environments, even those that have been changed by human activity.
This frog also lives in a protected area called the Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé. This park helps to keep its natural home safe.
