Description

A large tree frog. M up to 73 mm, F up to 81 mm. Snout vent length is 43-73 mm in males and 68-81 mm in females. Back color is live green, green-grey or brownish, sometimes with brownish spots (especially in females); in preservative violet. Flanks often marbled. A distinct white line along the upper lip and white lateral fringes along lower arm and tarsus was observed. Legs are with indistinct dark bands. Venter is whitish to yellowish. The iris is light brownish to greyish. Skin on the back is smooth or partly granular on head and neck, very granular in males during the reproductive period. Nostrils are equidistant between tip of snout and eye. Tympanum/eye ratio is about 1/2. Tibiotarsal articulation reaches tip of snout. Webbing of the hand 1(1), 2i(1), 2e(0), 3i(1), 3e(0), 4(0); foot completely webbed. Males are found with a large prepollex, nuptial pads on 1. and 2. finger and a paired subgular vocal sac. Breeding males have large tubercles covering most of dorsum, and with black keratinized spiiny tubercles on throat and chest.

Similar species: Other large Boophis (e.g. B. goudoti, B. opisthodon) are not green and have much less webbing on the hand. B. luteus and B. elenae have no white band along the upper lip.

Taken with permission from Glaw and Vences (2007).