AmphibiaWeb - Petropedetidae
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Petropedetidae

13 species in 3 genera

Commonly Called African Torrent Frogs, Water Frogs, Rocky River Frogss


Petropedetes vulpiae
Photo by Vaclav Gvozdik
(Click for family gallery)

These small to medium compact frogs inhabit the spray zone of streams and waterfalls in Africa. They are known from both lowland and high elevation sites. The known tadpoles of Arthroleptides exhibit specializations for living in the water film of rocks in streams.

Written by AmphibiaWeb

Notable Family Characteristics

  • Found in the spray zone of forest or savannah streams and waterfalls
  • Many species appear to be diurnal
  • Males of many species appear to be sexually dimorphic, with features such as femoral glands, enlarged forearms, and tympanums ringed with papillae
  • Distinct tympanum
  • Distribution limited to a small portion of Central Africa and disjunct occurrences in East Africa
Petropedetidae Richness map

Cartography Credit: Zoe Yoo, UC Berkeley
Range maps sources: AmphibiaWeb, UC Berkeley, and IUCN RedList

Relevant Reference

Barej MF, Rodel M-O, Gonwouo LN, Pauwels OSG, Bohme W, Schmitz A. 2010. Review of the genus Petropedetes Reichenow, 1974 in Central Africa with the description of three new species (Amphibia: Anura: Petropedetidae). Zootaxa 2340:1-49

Genus Arthroleptides (3 species)
Arthroleptides dutoiti no account no photos no sound/video
Arthroleptides martiensseni no account photos no sound/video
Arthroleptides yakusini no account photos no sound/video

Genus Ericabatrachus (1 species)
Ericabatrachus baleensis no account no photos no sound/video

Genus Petropedetes (9 species)
Petropedetes cameronensis no account photos no sound/video
Petropedetes euskircheni no account photos no sound/video
Petropedetes johnstoni no account photos no sound/video
Petropedetes juliawurstnerae no account photos no sound/video
Petropedetes newtonii no account no photos no sound/video
Petropedetes palmipes no account photos no sound/video
Petropedetes parkeri no account no photos no sound/video
Petropedetes perreti no account photos no sound/video
Petropedetes vulpiae no account photos no sound/video

Citation: AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: https://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed:

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