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Description
A medium-sized species of Heterixalus with males 23-29 mm and females 28-32 mm in total length. Back is yellow, with green-blue, sometimes black markings, which are arranged as a network, or consist of small spots or larger patches. On the thighs, markings are arranged in two longitudinal rows. Two light yellowish dorsolateral bands are present. Thighs, ventral limb surface, hands and feet are orange. Venter is whitish.
Similar species: The back of H. betsileo and H. luteostriatus is, except for the dorsolateral bands, mostly uniformly colored. The colouration of H. "variabilis" is very variable, but the typical color patterns of H. andrakata, were never present. Other adult Heterixalu s do not have dorsolateral bands.
Distribution and Habitat
Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Madagascar
Andrakata (TL), Montagne des Français, Sambava. It occurs from sea level to 500m asl in open areas near rice fields, on the edge of sand dunes, and in villages and towns (Glaw and Vences 2008).
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
During the day, found on plants with broad leaves near sun-exposed swamps and rice fields. At night, calling males sit in vegetation 10 to 30 cm above the water. At the three known localities, this species occurred sympatrically with H. cf. madagascariensis .
Call consists of a croaky "eeep-ep-ep-ep". One unharmonious note (type 1, duration 135-175 ms), followed by several shorter unharmonious notes (type 2, duration 50-70 ms) after intervals of about 90 ms. The most frequent combination is "1-2-2-2"; other possible call structures are "1-2-2", "1-2-1", "1-2-2-1", and 1-2-2-2-1". Call frequency varies with individuals and ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 kHz. Calls are repeated after irregular intervals of about 5 s. No differences were found between calls from Andrakata and Sambava.
Breeding takes place in permanent and temporary waters (Glaw and Vences 2008).
Trends and Threats
It is not known from any protected areas, but perhaps occurs in Parc National de Marojejy (Glaw and Vences 2008). Comments
Taken with permission from Glaw and Vences (2007).
References
Glaw, F. and Vences, M. (2008). Heterixalus andrakata. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 21 April 2009.
Glaw, F., and Vences, M. (2007). Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Third Edition. Vences and Glaw Verlag, Köln.
Originally submitted by: Miguel Vences and Frank Glaw (first posted 2002-02-01)
Edited by: Henry Zhu (2010-07-18)Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2010 Heterixalus andrakata <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/487> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Nov 18, 2024.
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Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 18 Nov 2024.
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