Spiny Reed Frog

biology_ecology

HABITATS AND DISTRIBUTION. — The species occurs mainly in savannah, but may enter degraded forest. It is very common in ecological zones I and II. Specimens were collected in Niamtougou, Kanté, N’Gambi, Payo and Fazao Malfakassa (Kalaré, Kpei Solongo, Bounako). Calling males often sit at a height of 1 to 1.5 m on grasses or shrubs in ponds. Most populations were encountered in the northern part of the Atacora range. The southern distribution of this species in the country is doubtful. This species has been reported in Togo by Bourgat (1979) and Segniagbeto et al. (2007, 2022).

Amphibians of Togo: taxonomy, distribution and conservation status

description

DESCRIPTION. — Small (SVL 21.9 - 23.5 mm ♂, 23 - 25 mm ♀), slender frogs with pointed snout. Fairly broad head, slightly longer than wide (HW 24 - 26 % SVL; HL 29 - 30 % SVL). Tympanum barely distinct, covered by skin (TYD 3 - 4 % SVL). Tibia short (TL 37 - 43 % SVL). Webbing small; webbing formula: I 2 – 2 ½ II 1 ½ – 3 III 2 – 3 IV 3 – 2 V. Fingers and toes terminating with discs. Skin smooth with asperities on the back and flanks, slightly granular skin on belly. COLOURATION. — The dorsal colouration is characterised by three longitudinal white stripes, one vertebral and two dorso-lateral stripes extending from snout tip to posterior end of back. The white vertebral band ends at the vent, the others end in the inguinal region. They are separated by brown bands. The flanks have brown colouration, the ventral side is white. SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. — The male is distinguished from the female by a subgular vocal sac with a yellowish to reddish gland.

Amphibians of Togo: taxonomy, distribution and conservation status

discussion

REMARK. — Concerning the taxonomy of this Afrixalus species, we follow Pickersgill (2007).

Amphibians of Togo: taxonomy, distribution and conservation status

materials_examined

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Togo • 3 ♂; Kanté; MNHN-RA- 1997.1538 - 1540 • 7 ♂, 1 ♀; N’Gambi; Coll. GHS-W 0541, Coll. GHS-W 0547, Coll. GHS-W 0550 - 0552, Coll. GHS-W 0553, Coll. GHS-W 0554, Coll. GHS-W 0583 • 1 ♂; Akloa; ZMB 77898 • 1 ♂; Tchamba; ZMB 77899 • 1 ♀; probably from the North; MNHN-RA- 1994.4493.

Amphibians of Togo: taxonomy, distribution and conservation status