View the above photo record (by Felicity Grundlingh) in FrogMAP here.
Find the Bainskloof Moss Frog in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.
Family Pyxicephalidae
BAINSKLOOF MOSS FROG – Arthroleptella bicolor
Hewitt, 1926
Habitat
This frog is associated with moss and matted vegetation found in seepages and along heavily vegetated streams, often on steep slopes. It is known from montane fynbos where the winter rainfall exceeds 750 mm.
Behaviour
Breeding commences during the winter rains, and continues until the seeps dry up in midsummer. Clutches of 8–10 eggs are laid in moss or similar vegetation in seepages (Channing 2001). Males may guard the eggs as they call from oviposition sites. The eggs develop directly into 4-mm froglets. Prey consists of small arthropods.
Status and Conservation
A. bicolor is relatively widespread, occurs in several large protected areas and is in no need of special conservation action. The full extent of its distribution is not yet known.
Distribution
A. bicolor is endemic to the Riviersonderend, Du Toitsberg, Elandskloof and Limietberg mountains. It has been recorded at altitudes of 300–2000 m. The atlas records are regarded as reliable but incomplete because of the difficulties in surveying mountainous areas.
Further Resources
Virtual Museum (FrogMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)
More common names: Bainskloof Chirping Frog (Alternative English Name); Bainskloof-mospaddatjie (Afrikaans)
Recommended citation format for this species text:
Channing A, Tippett RM. Bainskloof Moss Frog Arthroleptella bicolor. BDI, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/02/09/bainskloof-moss-frog-arthroleptella-bicolor/
Recommended citation format:
This species text has been updated and expanded from the text in the
2004 frog atlas. The reference to the text and the book are as follows:
Channing A 2004 Arthroleptella bicolor Bainskloof Moss Frog. In Minter LR
et al 2004.
Minter LR, Burger M, Harrison JA, Braack HH, Bishop PJ, Kloepfer D (eds)
2004. Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and
Swaziland. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, and Avian Demography
Unit, Cape Town.
