Hispaniolan giant tree frog

{{Short description|Species of amphibian}}

{{Speciesbox

| status = VU

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group |date=2013 |title=Osteopilus vastus |volume=2013 |page=e.T54346A3014515 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T54346A3014515.en |access-date=17 November 2021}}

| taxon = Osteopilus vastus

| authority = (Cope, 1871)

| synonyms = * Hyla vasta Cope, 1871

}}

The Hispaniolan giant tree frog (Osteopilus vastus), or Hispaniola tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae endemic to Hispaniola, found in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti.{{cite web |url=http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/Amphibia/Anura/Hylidae/Hylinae/Osteopilus/Osteopilus-vastus |title=Osteopilus vastus (Cope, 1871) |author=Frost, Darrel R. |year=2014 |work=Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 |publisher=American Museum of Natural History |accessdate=20 September 2014}}

Taxonomy

Populations from the southern part of Hispaniola may represent a separate, as yet undescribed species.

Distribution

It is patchily distributed in across the island. They are primarily found in mesic broadleaf forests but also in a range of agricultural habitats, such as cacao and coffee plantations and pastures. They can be found high in the canopy (up to 15 m). They are often found along creeks and streams; males call from trees overhanging running water. Eggs are also deposited in running water.

Conservation

The species is threatened by habitat loss caused by degradation of streams and deforestation.

References