Phrynobatrachus cf. giorgii De Witte, 1921

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 : 57

Phrynobatrachus cf. giorgii De Witte, 1921

Fig. 10B.

Area: Bechuchuu, Yalokole.

Season/survey: Wet (May 2018, Nov 2018), dry (Aug 2019, Jul 2020).

Material: CSB:Herp: RNBK 254, 718, 737, 761, 762, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859, 860, 861; IVB-H-CD 18190, 18237, 18238, 18283, 18284, 18297, 18298, 18300; possible hybrids: IVB-H-CD 18186, 18188.

Comments: Individuals of this species morphologically correspond to the type material of P. giorgii . However, the type locality (Yambata) is north of the Congo River and therefore the identification must still be tested genetically. This species was found at several sites, always in primary forest and usually near small streams or swampy places in flooded forest. Some males were found calling from moist leaf-litter. Depending on the physiological conditions, this species may have smooth skin, but quite often has slightly warty skin. It is very variable in color tones (and patterns), but often has a lighter background (reddish to brown) suffused with black. One specimen (adult female) was very dark, almost black, on the dorsum and darkly marbled on a white venter. Adult males have black throats. This relatively small-sized species was found in syntopy with another Phrynobatrachus , a slightly larger and generally lighter species resembling P. auritus (P. sp. aff. auritus , see below). As some individuals had intergrading traits, it is possible that the two species hybridize, but this needs to be confirmed genetically.