Hyperolius marmoratus Rapp, 1842
H. marmoratus is widespread and locally abundant, and populations often consist of hundreds or even thousands of individuals. The major threat to this species is habitat loss through drainage of wetlands and afforestation (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
There are many subspecies of H. marmoratus which are distinguished from one another by differences in dorsal colour patterns (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
Channing (2001) found that the predators of H. marmoratus include various birds, snakes, young crocodiles, terrapins, spiders and other frogs, while prey consists mainly of insects (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
H. marmoratus is distributed across most of sub- Saharan Africa (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
H. marmoratus inhabits a variety of vegetation types within the Savanna, Grassland and Forest biomes. It is a widespread and abundant species along the coast and at low altitudes (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
Tadpoles hatch within five days and metamorphosis takes 6–8 weeks (Pienaar et al. 1967). Males reach sexual maturity at approximately one year (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
Although males will call after rain at any time of the year, breeding normally takes place October–February. H. marmoratus utilizes a wide variety of breeding sites, ranging from temporary ponds, pans and vleis, to permanent bodies of water such as dams, marshes, reedbeds, sluggish rivers and streams. Once paired H. marmoratus spends several hours in axillary amplexus, after which the eggs are laid in water. Females have been observed to lay more than one clutch of eggs per season with a month-long interval between layings (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).