Frogs of the Western Cape
Arthroleptella: Moss Frogs
De Villier’s Moss Frog
Species name: Arthroleptella villiersi
Etymology: named after Cornelius de Villiers, Professor of Zoology at Stellenbosch University: 1923 - 1959
Other names: De Villier’s mospadda, De Villier’s Chirping frog
Year described: Hewitt, 1935
IUCN conservation status: Least Concern
Description
General appearance: larger body, longer limbs and more pointed snout relative to other Moss frog species; females 22mm, males 20mm.
Above: coloration highly variable, ranging from brown to mustard to rust; large pale bands usually present, running from snout backwards; vertebral line common.
Below: underside dark in males with degree of paler mottling, immaculate cream in females.
Fore-limbs: thin, toe-tips not expanded.
Hind-limbs: thin, finger-tips not expanded.
Call(s): 2-3 short chirps.
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
The most widespread of all the Moss frogs. Its distribution is well understood, and extends from an isolated population on Paarl Mountain in the north-west, to Bredasdorp on the Agulhas Plain in the south-east. Co-occurs with several other Moss frog species at different points in its range, namely A. kogelbergensis in the Kogelberg and Koeelberg, A. landrossia in Hottentots Holland and Jonkershoek, and A.drewesii along the Kleinrivier mountains. Species can be distinguished from A. villiersi by differences in their calls.
Habitat
Associated with seepages in mountainous areas, but also found at lower elevations. Along the coast from Pringle Bay to Kleinmond, they can be found calling several meters from the rocky shore where the habitat is appropriate. Of all the moss frog species they are perhaps the most tolerable of disturbance. At coastal towns in the Overstand, like Bettys Bay and Kleinmond, they can often be heard calling from drainage lines, suburban gardens, and even areas infested with invasive vegetation. At higher elevations they are associated with montane seepages on gentle to steep slopes, and are rarely heard calling cliff faces.
Life History
Although A. villiersi calls throughout much of the year, they will go dormant during the driest summer months, usually from December to March. Breeding activity continues after the first winter rains, and likely peaks between June and August. A. villiersi can survive fynbos fires better than other Moss frogs. At Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, large choruses have been heard after the onset of the first winter rains, despite the entirety of their habitat being burnt only a few months prior. In addition, De Villier’s Moss frog shows greater dispersal capabilities than most other Moss Frogs species. Whilst they usually remained concealed within the vegetation, individuals have been observed moving across exposed areas under rainy conditions.
For a description of their reproduction see the genus account
Cape Peninsula Moss frog
Species name: Arthroleptella lightfooti
Etymology: named after R.M. Lightfoot who worked at the South African Museum
Other names: Lightfoot’s Moss frog, Cape Chirping frog, Skiereiland mospadda (Afr.)
Year described: Boulenger, 1910
IUCN conservation status: Near Threatened
Description
General appearance: one of the larger Moss frog species, with a pointed snout; females 22mm, males 20mm.
Above: coloration uniform but extremely variable, ranging from dark brown to rust to brown-yellow; black blotches of varying degree present on thighs; black facial ‘mask’ present; snout pointed; skin with raised bumps in males, smooth in females.
Below: underside of females cream; throat dark in males with black mottling extending to the belly.
Fore-limbs: legs thin, longer than most Moss frog species; little to slight expansion of the finger tips.
Hind-limbs: arms thin, longer than most Moss frog species; little to slight expansion of the toe tips.
Call(s): chirp with 3-4 pulses; only one call type.
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
Restricted to the Cape Peninsula, with its distribution stretching from Table Mountain to the Cape of Good Hope. A small isolated population is also present on the southern slopes of Karbonkelberg in Hout Bay. They occur at altitudes of 1080m around Maclear’s Beacon on Table Mountain, to sea level at Cape Point.
Habitat
This species is found in a variety of environments, both natural and unnatural, including Mountain Fynbos, Afromontane Forest, and planted gardens. The latter is the case in the upper reaches of Kirstenbosch or sections of the Tokai Arboretum. They can be found in a variety of micro-habitats, from montane seepages on gentle slopes, to vegetated streams, to vertical cliff faces. They appear to avoid large perennial wetlands.
Life History
Calling begins after the first rains, usually sometime in May, and extends into December. Peak calling occurs between July and August, then begins to decline. Calling may extend into the summer depending on the conditions. This is often the case for those frogs present in forested kloofs. Whilst spending most its time concealed, they are occasionally found moving between habitat patches. Individuals have been observed traversing cliff faces, moving within leaf litter, and even crossing small streams. The latter case is likely rare given their poor swimming abilities and should be regarded as highly irregular behavior. In most cases, dispersal across open habitat has been observed in shaded habitat patches or under rainy conditions. For a description of their reproduction see the genus account
Rough Moss frog
Species name: Arthroleptella rugosa
Etymology: ruga meaning rough or wrinkled in Latin, in reference to their particularly rough skin.
Other names: Skurwe mospadda (Afr.)
Year described: Turner & Channing, 2008
IUCN conservation status: Critically Endangered
Description
General appearance: a medium size species of Moss frog with characteristically rough skin, stout with a blunt snout; females 19mm, males 13mm.
Above: dark brown with a varying degree of rust colored patches; glandular protuberances cover the body; white speckles on upper and lower lip.
Below: both males and females have a grey underside with a varying degree of white speckling, a number of black blotches also present; throats dark, especially in breeding males.
Fore-limbs: short, finger-tips not expanded.
Hind-limbs: short, toe-tips not expanded.
Call(s): two advertisement calls, one a brief squeaky chirp and the second a chuckle. There is also an interaction call which consists of rapid pulses often made when another male has called in close proximity.
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
Restricted to the slopes of the Klein Swartberg near Caledon. Much of its range has been reduced by the invasion of alien trees into their breeding habitat.
Habitat
Seepages and vegetated streams on the slopes of the Kleinswartberg, usually associated with gentle slopes. The majority of breeding habitat has been invaded to some degree by alien pine trees which reduce the moisture content of the soil and alter stream morphology. Appears to favor sections of the seepage with low growing vegetation.
Life History
Calling begins in early winter after the first few rains, usually around May, and extends into December. A healthy population can consist of hundreds of individuals, with males producing large choruses. Call sites are close to the ground, often within or at the base of a Restio. At localities invaded by pine trees population sizes are substantially smaller. Like all moss frogs, they are direct developers. Eggs are laid in on damp shaded surfaces, usually within moss at the base of a Restio. Tadpoles will develop within the egg mass and moist moss. For a description of their reproduction see the genus account
Bainskloof Moss frog
Species name: Arthroleptella bicolor
Etymology: bicolor meaning ‘two colours’, in reference to their dark dorsum which contrasts the pale underside in female specimens.
Other names: Bainskloof-mospadda (Afr.), Bainskloof Chirping frog
Year described: Hewitt, 1926
IUCN conservation status: Least Concern
Description
General appearance: one of the larger species of Moss frogs, squat with a rounded snout; females 22mm, males 20mm.
Above: coloration highly variable; usually brown to brown-orange or rust, pale and darkly colored specimens occur, often covered in irregular black blotches, sides pale; vertebral line sometimes present; dark band running from snout through eye to top of arm; tympanum small but visible.
Below: black mottling on a pale underside, darker in males; breeding males with black throats.
Fore-limbs: finger-tips slightly expanded.
Hind-limbs: toe-tips slightly expanded.
Call(s): irregular set of clicks.
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
Watervalberge, Limietberg, and Slanghoek mountains; between the Klein Berg River and Du Toitskloof.
Habitat
Montane seepages 500m-1500m on gentle slopes but also wet cliff faces.
Life History
For a description of their reproduction see the genus account
Quiet Moss frog
Species name: Arthroleptella subvoce
Etymology: from Latin; sub = below, vox = voice. In reference to their quiet calls.
Other names: Noordelike mospadda (Afr.), Northern Moss frog.
Year described: Dawood & Channing, 2004
IUCN conservation status: Critically Endangered
Description
General appearance: the smallest of all Moss frog species, with thin limbs and a blunt snout; females 14mm, males 13m.
Above: irregular dark brown blotches on a lighter brown background, sometimes forming dark bands.
Below: underside white, with grey to black speckling; males with grey throats and a slightly darker belly.
Fore-limbs: upper surface orange; toe-tips not expanded.
Hind-limbs: same colour as dorsum; finger-tips not expanded.
Call(s): a quiet chirp followed by several clicks.
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
Restricted to the southern section of the Grootwinterhoek Wilderness Area. Known from only three localities, with some potential for undiscovered populations to exist. The quite nature of their calls, in conjunction with the rugged terrain in which they occur, makes surveying for them particularly challenging.
Habitat
Well vegetated seepages on gentle slopes, absent from smaller seepages and drainage lines.
Life History
For a description of their reproduction see the genus account
Drakenstein Moss frog
Species name: Arthroleptella draconella
Etymology: from Latin, draco = dragon. In reference to the Klein Drakenstein mountains where the species is found. Drakenstein (Afr.) translates to dragon-stone.
Other names: Drakenstein mospadda (Afr.)
Year described: Turner & Channing, 2017
IUCN conservation status: Not Evaluated
Description
General appearance: squat with a rounded snout, similar in appearance to A. bicolor; females 14mm, males 14mm.
Above: copper to dark brown covered with a degree of darker blotching, dark band sometimes present behind eye; tympanum visible in some specimens.
Below: underside grey with a degree of mottling,
Fore-limbs: fingers short and tips slightly expanded, upper arm often orange.
Hind-limbs: toes short and tips sligtly expanded.
Call(s): A set of clicks
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
Klein Drakenstein, Du Toitskloof and Villiersdorp mountains; altitudes of 500m -1000m
Habitat
Well developed seepages with extensive restio growth.
Life History
For a description of their reproduction see the genus account
Riviersonderend Moss frog
Species name: Arthroleptella atermina
Etymology: atermina from aeternus, meaning ‘eternal’ in Latin. In reference to Riviersonderend, meaning ‘a river without end’.
Other names: Riviersonderend mospadda (Afr.)
Year described: Turner & Channing, 2017
IUCN conservation status: Not Evaluated
Description
General appearance: one of the smaller species of Moss frog, snout pointed; size of females unknown, males 16mm.
Above: coloration variable, from dark brown to rust to mustard, often with lighter sides; pale bar on head between eyes.
Below: belly and throat black in breeding males, white in females.
Fore-limbs: finger-tips expanded
Hind-limbs: toes long with toe-tips expanded
Call(s): A short series of clicks
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
Southern slopes of the Riviersonderend mountain, east of Villiersdorp to Jonaskop. Co-occurs with A. villiersi in parts of its range; lower slopes to mountain summits.
Habitat
Seepages on gentle slopes and cliff faces. They appear to tolerate light Pine tree infestations into their seepage habitat.
Life History
For a description of their reproduction see the genus account
Landdroskop Moss frog
Species name: Arthroleptella landdrosia
Etymology: landrosia in reference to Landdroskop, the type locality.
Other names: Landrosskop mosspadda (Afr.)
Year described: Dawood & Channing, 1994
IUCN conservation status: Near Threatened
Description
General appearance: one of the smaller Moss frog species, snout rounded; females 15mm, males 15mm.
Above: coloration variable, from rust to mustard to grey, white speckling covers body; a black stripe runs behind the eye towards base of fore-limb.
Below: belly and throat black in breeding males, white in females.
Fore-limbs: finger-tips expanded
Hind-limbs: toes-tips expanded
Call(s): protracted series of clicks, varies substantially across its range.
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
A relatively widely distributed species, occuring at Simonsberg, Helderberg, Jonkershoek, Hottentots-Holland, Groenlandberg and Houwhoek. It co-occurs with A. villiersi throughout much of its range, except at Simonsberg, where it is the only Moss frog species present.
Habitat
Montane seepages, favouring cliff faces or near vertical embankments. It is found both in fynbos and Afromontane forest. When in forest, they are usually associated with mossy cliff faces. A. landdrosia is also present on mountain plateaus and scree covered slopes. They have been found sheltering under rocks.
Life History
For a description of their reproduction see the genus account
Kogelberg Moss frog
Species name: Arthroleptella kogelbergensis
Etymology: kogelbergensis in reference to the Kogelberg, wherein much of its range lies.
Other names: Kogelberg mospadda (Afr.)
Year described: Turner & Channing, 2017
IUCN conservation status: Not Evaluated
Description
General appearance: A medium sized species of Moss frog, with a rounded snout; size of females unknown, males 16mm.
Above: dark brown markings on a paler rust colored background.
Below: belly and throat black in breeding males
Fore-limbs: finger-tips expanded
Hind-limbs: toe-tips expanded
Call(s): a series of high pitched clicks
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
Slopes of Kogelberg and Koeelberg, an isolated population also present in Bettys Bay; found from 11m to altitudes exceeding 1000m. Co-occurs with A. villiersi throughout much of its range.
Habitat
Most populations occur in well developed montane seepages, however at Bettys Bay a small population occurs in a dune slack wetland.
Life History
For a description of their reproduction see the genus account
Drewes’ Moss frog
Species name: Arthroleptella drewesii
Etymology: named after Dr. Robert Drewes who collected the type specimen.
Other names: Drewes se mospadda (Afr.)
Year described: Channing & Dawood, 1994
IUCN conservation status: Near Threatened
Description
General appearance: One of the larger species of Moss frogs, with a rounded snout. Males: 15mm, Females: 20mm.
Above: coloration variable, dark brown markings on a paler background; dark band running from behind the eye to base of arm; veterbral strip sometimes present
Below: belly and throat black in breeding males, white in females.
Fore-limbs: finger-tips expanded
Hind-limbs: toe-tips expanded
Call(s): A long series of clicks
Tadpole: see genus account.
Distribution
Kleinrivier and Babilonstoring mountains
Habitat
Densely vegetated seepages, on both gentle slopes and vertical embankments.
Life History
For a description of their reproduction see the genus account