Busack et al. (1985), Dorda (1984), Pasteur and Bons 

 (1959) . 



Family Hylidae 



An arboreal anuran family, that typically has enlarged 

 pads on the tips of the digits. Hylidae includes some 719 

 species. The pupil is usually horizontal. The eggs are 

 generally laid in water, although in some tropical species 

 there is parental care. In Africa, there is only one species - 

 Hyla meridionalis - which lives in southern Europe, the Canary 

 Islands and Northwest Africa. 



Hyla meridionalis Boettger, 1874 (Figs. 13-14) 



Hyla arborea var. meridionalis Boettger, 1874. Abh . Senck. 

 Naturf. Ges., 9: 186. Boulenger, 1891:159. Pasteur and Bons 

 1959:168. 



Diagnosis 



With enlarged discs on the tip of digits. Colour green or 

 yellowish with a small black spot behind the tympanum. Pupil 

 horizontal. 



Size 



Snout-vent lengths to 46 mm in males and 50 mm in females. 



Description 



Head wider than high, with round snout. Tympanum 

 conspicuous, its diameter about half eye diameter. Digits with 

 enlarged terminal discs, larger on the fingers than on the 

 toes. Third finger longest and first shortest. The second and 

 fourth of equal length. Forefoot with subarticular tubercles 

 but no palmar tubercles. Hindfoot with oval inner metatarsal 

 tubercle and inconspicuous external tubercle. Skin smooth 

 except on the throat and venter, granular on these areas. 

 Colour yellowish green, sometimes with black spots on dorsum. 

 Venter whitish. Black stripe from nostril to behind tympanum. 

 Iris dark brown. Male with external gular vocal sac. 



Variation 



Unknown in the area. 



Ecology 



In Morocco, these frogs are found between 20 and 2650 m, 

 typically in damp meadows, stagnant water, and cultivated 

 fields. In Algeria, their diet consists of dipterans, 

 neuropterans, and lepidopterans . In Morocco, they call nearly 

 year around. After the breeding season, they are arboreal in 

 spring, and their activity decreases towards summer. They are 

 also seen in wet autumns in Algeria. 



Biology 



At low altitude in Morocco, breeding begins with the first 



