| Xenohyla | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Tribe: | Dendropsophini |
| Genus: | Xenohyla Izecksohn, 1998 |
| Type species | |
| Hyla truncata Izecksohn, 1959 | |
| Species | |
2 species (seetext) | |
Xenohyla is a genus oftree frogs in the familyHylidae that isendemic toxeric habitats of coastalBrazil, withXenohyla eugenioi native to theState of Bahia[1] and theState of Sergipe,[2] andXenohyla truncata native to theState of Rio de Janeiro.[3] This genus is characterized by a robust body, wide flat head, short snout, short forelimbs with muscular forearms, and a truncate-shaped body when viewed from above.[2] They are associated withbromeliads, where they hide during the day and eat the insects that also inhabit the plant.[4] They breed intemporary pools that are formed by rainwater. Both species are orange or brown with a white stripe going down their dorsal edges.X. truncata loses this stripe when it matures butX. eugenioi keeps it as an adult.[1]
Xenohyla truncata is unique in the fact that it is the only knownfrugivorousamphibian. It locates fruit and swallows it whole, and is known to defecate out viableseeds that help in the spread of the plant.[5] Thearthropod to plant ratio in their diet depends on the month, with some months consisting mainly offruits and other plant material, while other months when plants are not fruiting the frog mainly eats various types ofarthropods.[4] It is currently unknown whether or notXenohyla eugenioi isfrugivorous as well.[1]
The genus name comes fromAncient Greek xeno (ξένος meaning "strange" or "alien") and hyla (ὕλη meaning "wood" or "forest") which is used fortree frogs, so the genus name means "strange tree frog."Xenohyla truncata means "strange truncated tree frog" after the shape of its body.Xenohyla eugenioi is named afterBrazilianherpetologistEugênio Izecksohn who described the genus and type species, and the name means "Eugênio's strange tree frog."