Sclerophrys sp. aff. camerunensis (Parker, 1936)

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.

Figures

Fig. 6. Bufonids, Sclerophrys. (A) S. cf. funerea, dorsal view (male in breeding condition, with smoother dorsal skin). (B) S. cf. funerea, brown morph (female). (C) S. cf. funerea, black morph (male). (D) S. sp. aff. camerunensis 1, with distinct coloration (subadult). (E) S. sp. aff. camerunensis 1 (male). (F) S. sp. aff. camerunensis 1 (female). (G) S. sp. aff. camerunensis 2 (male). (H) S. sp. aff. camerunensis 2 (female).