Kloof Frog

Natalobrachus bonebergi

Amphibian

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At a Glance
Size37mm (F) 25mm (M)
Mass
Lifespan5 years
Conservation StatusEndangered - In view of its area of occupancy of less than 500 km2, its distribution is fragmented

Description

The back is light greenish-brown to grey, sometimes with pale spots and a pale vertebral line. A distinctive black stripe runs from eye through the lower part of the eye, down the arm. This band is bordered below by a narrow white band along the upper jaw. Pointed snout which protrudes over the lower jaw. The underside is cream-coloured. Fingers and toes are long and end in large discs. Toes are slightly webbed.

Behaviour

Agile jumpers and strong swimmers, enabling them to escape easily and hide in rotting plant material at the bottom of pools. Expanded adhesive toe-tips (‘T’-shaped) allow easy movement over vertical rockfaces and slippery surfaces.

Diet

Insects (tadpoles feed on algae)

Breeding

From Oct - May male frog chooses a perch 1 - 2m above the water in overhanging vegetation. He makes a faint ‘clicking’ advertisement call. Female responds and clutches of 75 - 95 eggs are laid in clear masses attached to leaves, branches or rocks above water. The female keeps them moist with fluid from her cloaca. Tadpoles develop inside the jelly mass and 6 days later emerge and drop to the water below. Metamorphosis is complete within 60 days.

Distribution

Restricted to rocky streams in coastal and gallery forests of northern Eastern Cape (from Dwesa Nature Reserve) and eastern KwaZulu-Natal. It occurs below 900 masl.

Habitat

Rocky streams in coastal forests and gallery forests , alternating with fast-flowing sections and larger tranquil pools with a gravel bed are preferred. It breeds in streams, hanging its eggs above water on branches, and sometimes on rock faces. The larvae fall into the water where they develop. It does not survive in open areas.

Threats

Afforestation as a result of sugar plantations and housing developments have encroached on the specialised habitat of the species. It is also threatened by pollution and siltation of streams.

Local Information

It occurs in several protected areas, including Krantzkloof, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve and Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve.

Interesting Facts

This is a monotypic species – i.e. the only species in its genus (Natalobatrachus). It is most closely related to the Marsh frogs of the Western Cape. It was described in 1912 and named for Father Bonebergi from the Marianhill Monastery who discovered the species at ‘Mariannhill’ (probably Krantzkloof).

Sound

A sound clip is available on SoundCloud.

References

With thanks to Dr Jeanne Tarrant - Threatened Amphibian Programe, Endangered Wildlife Trust

Sound recording: with thanks to Prof. Louis Du Preez

Kloof Frog

Natalobrachus bonebergi

Amphibian

Ukujeqeza
iphiko37mm (F) 25mm (M)
Isisindo
isikhathi sokuphila5 years
Umumo NgokongiwaOkungalifaka engozini: ukubuka indawo lalihlala khona engaphansi kuka 500 km2, bahlulelwa ubukhulu b

Incazelo

Ngemumva: liluhlaza ngokukhanyayo nokunsundu kuya kokumpunga, kokunye nomachoshana amhloshana kanye nomugqa emhlonzo ophaphathekile. Kuhlukanisa umthende omnyama ohamba usuka esweni ubheke engxenyeni engaphansi kwehlo, ngezansi kwengalo. Lomusho uphethela ngaphansi ngomugqa omncane omhlophe kuya kwimhlathi engenhla. Impumulo ecijile ephumele ngaphezu kwemihlathi engezansi. Indawo engaphansi ikhilimu umbala. Iminwe nezinzwane ezinde kuzindilinga ezinkulu ekugcineni. Amazwani ahlangene kancane.

Ukuziphatha

Agxuma nokubhukuda okunamandla, nokuwanika amandla okuphunyuka kalula futhi acashe ezitshalweni ezibolile ngaphansi kwamachibi. Amazwayiba anamathelayo andisiwe (angu ‘T’ ukuma) awavumela ukuthi anyakaze kalula phezu nqo kobuso bamatshe nasezindaweni ezi shelelayo.

Ukudla

Izilokazane (ushobishobi odla isithombo esikhulu emanzini)

Ukuzalana

Kusuku kuMfumfu-kuNhlaba amaxoxo esilisisa akhetha inhlanzi 1-2m ngaphansi kwamanzi ezigaxele phezu kwezimila. Lenza umsindo wokuquleka, isimemezelo. Elesifazane liphendula kanye isiqumbi samaqanda angaba 75-95 azalelwe esinyokothweni esicacile esinamathele kumaqabunga, amagatsha noma ematsheni angaphansi kwamanzi. Elesifazane liwagcina eswakeme nokumanzi okuvela. Oshobishobi bakhula ngaphakathi.

Ukutholakala

Amiswa imimfundlana esematsheni ogwini nakwigalari yamahlathi aseNyakatho neMpumalanga Kapa (Kusuka kwi-Dwesa Nature Reserve) nase Mpumalanga ne kwa-Zulu Natal. Kwenzeka phansi kuka 900 masl.

Inhlalo

Imifudlana esematsheni esogwini nakigalari yamahlathi, kuphambana ngezingxenye ezi hambe ngokushesha namachibi amakhulu acwebile kanye namatshana andlalekile ayawathanda. Azalela emifudlaneni, aphanyeke amaqanda phansi kwamanzi emagatsheni, kwesinye isikhathi ematsheni. Isibungu siwela emanzini lapho sikhula khona. Asiphili ezindaweni ezivulekile.

Zisebungozini

Ukususa ihlathi okungumphumela wokutshala umoba nokwakhiwa kwezindlu kunomudwa okuba nesijwayezi kulenhlobo. Angabu ahlukunzezwe ukuguguleka noma nje ukungcoliswa kwemifudlana.

Ulwazi Lwendawo

Kwenzakala ezindaweni eziningi ezivikelekile, kubalwa ne-Krantzkloof, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve kanye ne-Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve.

Amaqiniso Ahehayo

Loku kuyinhlobo yomshini-isibonele: yilenhlobo kuphela ehlobo (Natalobatrachus). Ingengcono esondele ngokuhlobana namaxoxo asemaxhaphozini ase-Western Cape. Yachasiswa ngo 1912 futhi yaqanjwa Father Bonebergi wase-Marianhill Monastery owafumanisa lenhlobo e”Marianhill”

Umsindo

Iklipha yombindo itholakala kwiSoundCloud

Imininingwane

With thanks to Dr Jeanne Tarrant - Threatened Amphibian Programe, Endangered Wildlife Trust

Sound recording: with thanks to Prof. Louis Du Preez