Breviceps sp.

Bittencourt-Silva, Gabriela B., Bayliss, Julian & Conradie, Werner, 2020, First herpetological surveys of Mount Lico and Mount Socone, Mozambique, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 247) 14 (2), pp. 198-217 : 205

Breviceps sp.

Material. MOUNT SOCONE (top): BMNH 2018.2501. Identification. Although this specimen is molecularly very similar to Breviceps mossambicus from Mount Lico (98% sequence similarity), they differ in coloration, skin texture, and morphology ( Fig. 3H ). The venter is white with dark vermiculation; dorsum dark brown, coarsely granular, with lighter brown coloration separating the granules; a yellowish (rather than white) band over the mouth, pointing downwards; a yellow band extending from the posterior border of the eye to the anterior insertion of the arm; yellow blotches on the flanks; the “neck” region is elongated; and the toes and fingers are relatively long. Poynton (1964) and Poynton and Pritchard (1976) discuss the role of digit reduction in Breviceps as an adaptation to living in savannah, while the ancestral state is considered to be a forest form. Comments. The specimen was collected in a pitfall trap. This form represents a new species and is currently being described.

Figures

Fig. 3. Amphibians from Mount Lico and Mount Socone, northern Mozambique. (A) Arthroleptis aff. francei; (B) Arthroleptis sp.; (C) A. stenodactylus (mountain form); (D) A. stenodactylus (lowland form); (E) A. xenodactyloides; (F) Leptopelis broadleyi; (G) L. flavomaculatus; (H) Breviceps sp.; (I) Mertensophryne cf. loveridgei; (J) Sclerophrys gutturalis; (K) Hemisus marmoratus; (L) Hyperolius marmoratus albofasciatus; (M–O) H. substriatus; (P) H. tuberilinguis; (Q) Nothophryne sp.; (R) Scolecomorphus kirkii.