De Villiers' moss frog | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Pyxicephalidae |
Genus: | Arthroleptella |
Species: | A. villiersi
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Binomial name | |
Arthroleptella villiersi Hewitt, 1935
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The De Villiers' moss frog (Arthroleptella villiersi) is a minute species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae, which is endemic to the Western Cape, South Africa.[1] At around 22 mm (0.87 in) length, it is one of the smallest regional species, though larger than the micro frog.[2]
As with other moss frogs, they do not enter water, but females lay their eggs in damp vegetation, and the frogs hatch directly from the egg capsules.[2] Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.