Tyrrhenian tree frog

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Tyrrhenian tree frog
Tyrrhenian tree frog (Hyla sarda)

Tyrrhenian tree frog ( Hyla sarda )

Systematics
Subordination : Neobatrachia
without rank: Tree frogs (arboranae)
Family : Tree frogs i. w. S. (Hylidae)
Subfamily : Hylinae
Genre : Tree frogs ( hyla )
Type : Tyrrhenian tree frog
Scientific name
Hyla sarda
( Betta , 1853)
The Tyrrhenian tree frog has a somewhat granulated skin on top, which often has dark spots
Sitting on an intensely green surface can make the speckles more indistinct. The snout is noticeably short in this species

The Tyrrhenian tree frog ( Hyla sarda ) is a species of amphibian in the family of tree frogs and lives on the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia , Corsica , Capraia , Ile de Cavallo , Elba and Monte Cristo . Until 1982 the species was still referred to as the subspecies Hyla arborea sarda . The species was first described in 1857 by the Italian naturalist Edoardo De Betta. The Tyrrhenian tree frog was previously assigned by some authors to the species Hyla savignyi , which is more common in western Asia (e.g. Syria, Israel). However, this systematic assignment has proven to be incorrect.

Spread, spread

A geographically isolated island population , like that of Hyla sarda , is created either through human naturalization ( neobiota ) or through massive geological changes. It is almost impossible that amphibians on flotsam can independently reach islands in the open sea, since contact with salt water for a long time is normally fatal for this group of species (exceptions: Rana cancrivora , Bufo viridis ). Probably Hyla sarda about former land bridges from the northern half of the Apennines - peninsula penetrated into the Tyrrhenis.

It is difficult to understand when the amphibians actually colonized Tyrrhenis. In this context, various models are being discussed among geologists. Accordingly, there were several land bridges with the European mainland until the early Quaternary (geology) . Apparently there was even a continuous connection between the Apennine Peninsula, via Sicily to North Africa. What is certain is that Sardinia and Corsica, after the collapse of the land bridges, “rotated” together by approx. 45 ° in the direction of the Apennine peninsula (today's Italy), whereby the rotation of Corsica came to a standstill a little earlier. The indigenous herpetofauna probably already existed on the Tyrrhenian Islands during this epoch .

In the Tyrrhenian Sea are massive tectonic folding and cutting fields ( dislocations ). At the Temple of Serapis and other historical buildings in Pozzuoli , indications of the uplift and downward trend of Tyrrhenis can be clearly seen even in the short period of human history. In the north and in the middle of Corsica, the island still stands out to a small extent. The severe earthquake of April 6, 2009 in Abruzzo ( magnitude 6.3) shows that this region is still in motion. Last but not least, the two continental plates, the Anatolian and Eurasian plates , collide in southern Italy .

The Tyrrhenian tree frog is an extremely adaptable frog that inhabits the most diverse habitats on the Mediterranean islands mentioned. The little tree frog lives in the reed areas of ponds and irrigation channels as well as the gallery forests along the streams and rivers. It is also occasionally found in residential areas. Here the occurrences are closely linked to the existence of accessible water points such as cisterns or wells, even sanitary buildings on campsites serve as summer land habitats. The brackish water areas of the great estuaries, e.g. B. the Stabiacco near Porto-Vecchio in Corsica are avoided by the animals.

literature

  • Hotz, H. (1972): Mating call and systematic status of the Tyrrhenian tree frog from the Hyla arborea complex . Salamandra 19 (1/2), 21-28.
  • Schneider, H. (1974): Structure of the mating calls and relationships of the European tree frogs (Hylidae, Anura) . Oecologia (Berlin) 14, pp. 99-110.
  • Corti, C. (2009): Hyla sarda (De Betta, 1857) - Tyrrhenian tree frog . Handbook of the reptiles and amphibians of Europe. Volume 5 / II Froschlurche (Anura) II (Hylidae, Bufonidae). AULA publishing house, Wiebelsheim. Pp. 173-185. ISBN 978-3-89104-655-5 .
  • Meijer, RM (1963): Herpetological belevenissen op Corsica in 1961 en 1962 . Lacerta, 21 (8), 59-62, Utrecht.
  • Mertens, R. (1955): The amphibians and reptiles of the island of Elba . Senckenberg. Biol. 36 (5/6), 287-296, Frankfurt / M.
  • Mertens, R. (1957): The amphibians and reptiles of Corsica . Senckenberg. Biol. 38 (3/4), 175-192, Frankfurt / M.

Web links

Commons : Tyrrhenian Tree Frog ( Hyla sarda )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files