Leptopelis uluguruensis Barbour and Loveridge, 1928
This species is named for the type locality: the Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania.
The IUCN Red List (2010) categorizes this species as Vulnerable because its Extent of Occurrence is probably less than 20,000 km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and the quality and extent of its forest habitat in the Eastern Arc Mountains is declining (Howell et al., 2004).
It occurs in the Udzungwa National Park and the Amani Nature Reserve (Howell et al., 2004).
It is affected by habitat loss as a result of expanding human settlements and agriculture, as well as the harvesting of wood. In addition, its habitat in the East Usambara Mountains has recently come under serious threat from the activities of illegal gold miners (Howell et al., 2004).
Populations of this species are decreasing (Howell et al., 2004).
This is a small Leptopelis with an indistinct tympanum. The dorsum is blue-green in some individuals and yellow-brown in others, often with light spots or rings. In males the throat is translucent blue. Pupils are vertical. The iris may be brown or silver. Toes are only about ½ webbed. Pectoral glands are not present in males (Harper et al., 2010).
During the dry season, these frogs are found sitting on large leaves at the edges of steams in forest with their eyes are closed and limbs tucked under their bodies (Channing and Howell, 2006).
Individuals with the blue-green dorsal color are never the same bright green color of L. flavomaculatus or L. vermiculatus. The eyes of L. uluguruensis are never red or orange as in L. barbouri (Harper et al., 2010).
Vomerine teeth are in two juxtaposed groups between the choanae. The head is broader than long. The distance between the nostrils equals distance between a nostril and the anterior border of orbit, as well as two-thirds the longitudinal diameter of the eye. Canthus rostralis is short and distinct; loreal region is concave. Tympanum is barely visible or indistinguishable; when visible it measures one-quarter the longitudinal diameter of the eye opening. Inner finger is scarcely webbed; outer finger one-third webbed, disks well developed. Toes are webbed to the disks on the inner side of second, third, and fifth; only as a not very distinct seam to the disk of the fourth. First toe is half webbed. A moderate, slightly compressed, inner metatarsal tubercle is present. The tibiotarsal articulation of the adpressed hind limb just falls short of the eye (reaches eye in many paratypes but never beyond). Skin is shagreened above, very granular beneath except on tibia and sole of foot (Barbour and Loveridge, 1928).
In life, the dorsal color is a rich green or greenish-brown. The upper eyelids are brownish, their outside edge yellow. Orange spots are irregularly dispersed on back. Yellow spots may be present on the flanks.Thighs are tranparent yellowish, each with an orange spot; lower arms the same but so liberally besprinkled with minute brown specks as to appear brownish. Throat is blue, rest of the venter is white, more or less tinged with blue, particularly in the axillary region and groin. Iris is white, speckled with black; pupil is black. In alchohol, head is purplish-brown, shading to fawn on back. Spots are yellowish-green, limbs are fawn, and thighs almost colourless. Venter is white (Barbour and Loveridge, 1928).
Males measure 28 – 38 mm and females 46 – 48 mm in snout-vent length (Harper et al., 2010). According to Barbour and Loveridge (1928), the holotype specimen was the largest male collected, measuring 42 mm.
Barbour and Loveridge (1928) found spiders, grasshoppers, pallid Acridians and acacia leaf petals in the stomachs of this species; one specimen held over thirty acacia petals. The authors believed that the frogs mistook the petals for insects as they fell from the trees above onto the banana plant leaves where they rested. Other food items include earwigs (Channing and Howell, 2006).
This frog was found in the stomach of a snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia tornieri) at Vituri (Barbour and Loveridge, 1928).
This species is endemic to several mountains in the Eastern Arc chain of Tanzania, including the East Usambara, Nguu, Nguru, Uluguru, and Udzungwa (Kihansi Gorge and Mwanihana Forest) Mountains (Howell et al., 2004).
This species inhabits wet submontane rainforest; it is never found in open areas away from mature forest, although it tolerates slightly disturbed habitat, including banana patches near mature forest. It is found at elevations between 900 and 1650 m (Howell et al., 20040; Harper et al., 2010).
It is a common species (Howell et al., 2004).
The mode of reproduction is unknown, but it is assumed that eggs are laid in mud cavities near water (Harper et al., 2010). It is known that males call from approximately one meter above the ground but near water (Channing and Howell, 2006).