Leptopelis calcaratus (Boulenger, 1906)

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 : 45

Leptopelis calcaratus (Boulenger, 1906)

Leptopelis calcaratus meridionalis Laurent, 1973

Fig. 5A–B .

Area: Yalokole, Yotemankele.

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

Material: CSB:Herp: RNBK 144, 541, 542.

Comments: This taxon has not been reported since its description. Here, three males were found in primary forest on tree branches (4 m high in one case) several meters from streams. Two color morphs were recorded, two males were brown ( Fig. 5A ) and one was contrasting orange-black ( Fig. 5B ). It is worth noting that a similar orange morph was documented by Amiet (2012) as a rare coloration in L. calcaratus from Cameroon. These treefrogs were identified based on a comparison with the type material of L. calcaratus meridionalis . This subspecies was described as distributed south of the wide Congo River arc, while the populations to the east, north, and west were identified as belonging to the nominotypical subspecies ( Laurent 1973). This taxon morphologically differs in several features, most importantly by a less developed spur on the heel and more extensive foot webbing. The level of distinction of this central Congolian taxon needs to be further investigated as it may represent a full species.

Figures

Fig. 5. Arthroleptids, Leptopelis. (A) L. calcaratus meridionalis, brown morph (male). (B) L. calcaratus meridionalis, orange-black morph (male). (C) L. christyi, brown morph (male). (D) L. christyi, green morph (male). (E) L. christyi (juvenile). (F) L. ocellatus schiotzi (amplectant pair). (G) L. ocellatus schiotzi (male). (H) L. ocellatus schiotzi (female).