Charadrahyla


Charadrahyla is a genus of frogs in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to tropical southern Mexico. The generic name was derived from Greek charadra and Hyla, in reference to the habits of these frogs. Accordingly, common name ravine treefrogs has been coined for the genus.

Taxonomy and systematics

This genus was erected in 2005 following a major revision of the Hylidae. It corresponds to the former Hyla taeniopus group as defined by in 1970. The genus was originally diagnosed using molecular markers; no morphological synapomorphies supporting the new genus could be identified. The sister taxon of Charadrahyla is Megastomatohyla.
Five of the species in this genus were previously placed in the genus Hyla. Two species were later described as new in this genus, and another two were transferred from Exerodonta in 2018 based on molecular data.

Description

Charadrahyla are relatively large, stream-breeding frogs from cloud forests and humid pine-oak forests of central and southern Mexico. In the majority of species males measure and females in snout–vent length, but the former Exerodonta species, Charadrahyla juanitae and Charadrahyla pinorum, are much smaller, with males measuring and females. Most species have a brownish dorsum with large blotches.

Species

As of 2019, there are ten recognized species:
The AmphibiaWeb lists only seven species because Charadrahyla juanitae and Charadrahyla pinorum are listed as being in the genus Exerodonta.