Arthroleptis phrynoides (Laurent, 1976)

Badjedjea, Gabriel, Masudi, Franck M., Akaibe, Benjamin Dudu & Gvoždík, Václav, 2022, Amphibians of Kokolopori: an introduction to the amphibian fauna of the Central Congolian Lowland Forests, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 301) 16 (1), pp. 35-70 : 43

Arthroleptis phrynoides (Laurent, 1976)

Fig. 4A–B .

Area: Yalokole.

Season/survey: Wet (May 2018).

Material: CSB:Herp: RNBK 058, 124.

Comments: Originally described in the genus Schoutedenella ( Laurent 1976a) . Only two probably adult females were found during the whole study, suggesting that this species is probably very cryptic or rare. This also corresponds to the relatively late discovery and description of this species, which was based only on one male and one female ( Laurent 1976a). The external

morphology is concordant to the type material. Both specimens were found in primary forest near a stream (two different streams) sitting on vegetation about 0.5 m high in May 2018. The name phrynoides refers to the resemblance to the bufonid arboreal genus Nectophryne ( Laurent 1976a) . The similar morphology could point to an arboreal life history of this Arthroleptis , possibly also explaining its rarity. The species has a conspicuous verrucosity, the throat is black in both females, and the anterior part of the venter is black with diffused white spots. The tips of the toes and fingers are enlarged into distinct discs, an obvious adaptation to scansorial life. Our record is probably the first finding of this species since its description, extending its known range approximately 250 km northward from the type locality in Sankuru Province. The two localities are similar in terms of vegetation and climate, because they occur within a continuous forest block.

Figures

Fig. 4. Arthroleptids, Arthroleptis and Cardioglossa. (A) Arthroleptis phrynoides (female). (B) A. phrynoides, ventral view (same specimen as in A). (C) A. tuberosus procterae (female). (D) A. sp. aff. phrynoides (female). (E) A. sp. aff. variabilis (male). (F) A. sp. aff. xenochirus (male). (G) Cardioglossa congolia (male). (H) C. congolia, ventral view (same specimen as in G).