Reproductive behaviour and natural history of the Long-toed Treefrog, Leptopelis xenodactylus Poynton, 1963, in South Africa

Abstract

Little is known about the reproductive behaviour of frogs in the genus Leptopelis, and in this study of the endangered L. xenodactylus we offer some insights from a wetland in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Males call from wetlands and change their position during the season, possibly because females become more conspicuous over time. The most active period for reproductive behaviour is under heavy cloud cover between 19:00 and 21:00 h. These frogs use axillary amplexus, with evidence of a sticky substance secreted where the male’s forearms grip the female, likely to assist with maintaining grip. Up to 150 eggs are laid on top of hummocks in shallow burrows. Eggs take approximately one month to develop, with tadpoles able to wait for suitable conditions before hatching. Tadpoles develop for approximately three months before metamorphosis but show evidence of being able to overwinter. These insights can guide conservation management and perhaps be useful for studies of other members of the genus.