Arthroleptis 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 : 43-45

Arthroleptis sp. aff. phrynoides

Fig. 4D.

Area: Bechuchuu, Yalokole.

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

Material: CSB:Herp: RNBK 704; IVB-H-CD 18145, 18240.

Comments: This is another species that is either rare or has cryptic ecology, because only two females and one juvenile were found. It resembles A. phrynoides , which is syntopic, but has substantial differences in both morphological features and color pattern. Conspicuous markings in the form of white-black marbling are present on the ventrum and contrast with the reddish underside of the hind limbs. Discs on toes and fingers are not as distinct as they are in A. phrynoides , suggesting a less scansorial ecology. The two specimens were found on low herbaceous vegetation about 0.5 m high in disturbed habitat at the forest margin, while one specimen was hopping on the ground in primary forest at night after almost a full day of rain. The morphology does not conform to any of the known described species. A formal description of this new species will be given elsewhere ( V. Gvoždík et al., in prep.) .