Nectophrynoides paulae, Menegon, Michele, Salvidio, Sebastiano, Ngalason, Wilirk & Loader, Simon P., 2007

Menegon, Michele, Salvidio, Sebastiano, Ngalason, Wilirk & Loader, Simon P., 2007, A new dwarf forest toad (Amphibia: Bufonidae: Nectophrynoides) from the Ukaguru Mountains, Tanzania, Zootaxa 1541, pp. 31-40 : 32

Nectophrynoides paulae sp. nov.

( Figs. 2-4 )

Holotype. An adult male in the Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali, Trento, MTSN 5630 collected 25 January 2004 in Mamiwa-Kisara Forest Reserve by Michele Menegon and Wilirk Ngalason.

Type locality. Mamiwa-Kisara North Forest Reserve ( Fig. 1 ), at 1800 m above sea level, Ukaguru Mountains, Kilosa District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania (UTM coordinates: 37M 0 270973 / 9295414).

Paratypes. MTSN 5621 (male), BM 2005.1589 (formerly MTSN 2622) (male), BM 2005.1590 (formerly MTSN 5623) (male), MTSN 2624 (male), MTSN 5625 (male), MTSN 2626, MTSN 5627 (male), MTSN 2628 (female containing about 20 yolking eggs), MTSN 2629 (male). All specimens were collected at the same locality, with the same collection data as the holotype.

Etymology. The species is named in honour of Paola Magagnato, a dedicated natural sciences teacher. Paola conveyed her love and enthusiasm of nature to her family, friends and students; she tragically passed away in August 2004.

Diagnosis. A small-sized Nectophrynoides with snout-urostyle (SUL) ranging from 15.1 to 23.7 mm, characterised by prominent, large conical shaped spines covering head, eyelids, dorsum and hindlimbs. These spines are conical in shape ending with a conspicuous clear keratinized horny tip. A set of six spines, often larger than others, are arranged symmetrically on the region of the head and shoulder. ( Fig. 1 ). Spines often are concentrated also on the anterior part of the head, dorsum, sacral region and limbs. Tips of fingers and toes are rounded, not or slightly expanded, never truncated. The foot length is greater than or equal to length of tibia ( Table 1 ). Tympanum and tympanic annulus are present and clearly visible. Parotoid glands are absent. Hands are not webbed, while fingers are only webbed at their base. The two distal phalanges of the fifth toe are free of main webbing, the three distal phalanges of fourth toe are free of main webbing on both sides. The upper lips often show dark markings on a paler background colour ( Figs 1 and 2 ). These features distinguish N. paulae from all others known species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Location of the Ukaguru Mountains, forest reserves demarcation and collecting site.

FIGURE 2. Nectophrynoides paulae, male paratype MTSN 5629 in life.

FIGURE 3. Nectophrynoides paulae, male paratype MTSN 5624 in life.

FIGURE 4. Nectophrynoides paulae advertisement call (MTSN 5626). (a) Three pulse groups with 3, 3, and 4 pulses each; (b), detail of one of the pulses. Legends is in minutes: seconds.