Sclerophrys sp.

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 : 49

Sclerophrys sp. aff. camerunensis 1

Fig. 6D–F.

Area: Bechuchuu, Yalokole, Yetee.

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

Material: CSB:Herp: RNBK 019, 114, 139, 232, 244, 246, 247, 249, 258, 432, 522, 523, 527, 528, 705, 707, 740, 866–868; IVB-H-CD 18176, 18177, 18244, 18253, 18254, 18268, 18327–18333, 18377.

Comments: This and the following species have a very similar general morphology. However, they differ consistently in the size of the tympanum (see below) and probably other morphological features. Both species belong to the S. camerunensis-gracilipes group, with males being slender and rather resembling S. gracilipes , while the more robust and colorful females resemble S. camerunensis . This species, which we provisionally name “ aff. camerunensis 1,” appears to be more common, usually occurring near streams. Male coloration varies from yellowish to dark brown, with females usually having a more contrasting dorsal color pattern and yellowreddish body sides. The dorsal stripe may be visible but sometimes it is not present. Breeding was recorded in a small shallow river where males were hiding among aquatic plants. A similar, possibly undescribed species was reported from northern Angola (Ernst et al. 2020). A thorough revision of the S. camerunensis-gracilipes group is in preparation. The size of the tympanum in this species is approximately half the size of the eye.