Sclerophrys lemairii ( Boulenger, 1901 )

Conradie, Werner, Bills, Roger & Branch, William R., 2016, The herpetofauna of the Cubango, Cuito, and lower Cuando river catchments of south-eastern Angola, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 126) 10 (2), pp. 6-36 : 12

Sclerophrys lemairii ( Boulenger, 1901)

Lemaire’s Toad

Material: PEM A10413 (7b), 10818-19 (31), 108120- 10829 (30d), and 11527(63); PEM T 555 (7a); SAIAB 101019 (30a), 101031 (31), and 101032 (30d).

Comments: This unusual bufonid ( Fig. 7c ) is adapted for living in flood plains. Previously reported for the Okavango Delta ( Botswana), adjacent floodplains in Zambia ( Poynton and Broadley 1985; Bittencourt-Silva 2014), and Democratic Republic of the Congo ( Boulenger 1901; Laurent 1950, 1964; Schmidt and Inger 1959; Poynton and Broadley 1985). Within Angola, it was previously known from only five localities further north in Angola (i.e., Muita – Laurent 1950; Cazombo, Chimboma, Cuilo, Lake Calundo – Laurent 1964). The new records collect- ed from just north Menongue and around M’Pupa Falls represent the most southerly Angola records and are the first for the Angolan Cubango and Cuito river systems. They bridge the considerable gaps between previous Angolan material and those of the Caprivi region ( Channing 2001). Bittencourt-Silva (2014) reported dynamic dichromatism in this species, and this was also noted in males collected during the current surveys ( Fig. 7d ). However, many features of life history (breeding, call, and tadpoles) of the species remain unknown, and additional natural history data will be presented elsewhere (Conradie in prep.).

Figures

Fig. 7. Selective amphibians from south-eastern Angola. A. Hyperolius cinereus, B. Ptychadena cf. mossambica, C. Sclerophrys lemairii (female), D. Sclerophrys lemairii (male), E. Kassina kuvangensis.