Amphibians of Togo: taxonomy, distribution and conservation status
Author
Segniagbeto, Gabriel Hoinsoudé
Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lomé, BP 6057 Lomé, Togo, BP 1515, Lomé (Togo) and Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation, Rome (Italy) gsegniagbeto @ gmail. com (corresponding author)
Author
Mark-Oliver, Annemarie Ohler
Author
Luca, Mark-Oliver Rödel
Author
Alain, Luca Luiselli
Author
Dubois, Alain
Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE-PSL, Université des Antilles, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 30, F- 75005, Paris (France) alain. dubois @ mnhn. fr
dubois@mnhn.fr
text
Zoosystema
2024
2024-10-08
46
25
631
670
https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/zoosystema2024v46a25.pdf
journal article
10.5252/zoosystema2024v46a25
1638-9387
13907152
D4AC1F89-AC34-43C4-9761-3F2015A02265
Hyperolius nitidulus
Peters, 1875
(
Fig. 9
A-D)
MATERIAL
EXAMINED
. —
Togo
•
7 ♂
;
Niamtougou
; MNHN- RA-1997.9922-9926, MNHN-RA-1993.6103, MNHN- RA-1993.6104
•
3 ♂
;
Siou
;
Coll.
GHS-W 1376-1378
•
19 ♂
;
N’Gambi
(
Oti-Kéran National Park
); MNHN-RA-2008.0221-0228,
Coll.
GHS-W 0511-0520
•
6 ♂
;
Bounako
(
Fazao National Park
);
Coll.
GHS-W 1932,
Coll.
GHS-W 1934,
Coll.
GHS-W 1935,
Coll.
GHS-W 1938,
Coll.
GHS-W 1941,
Coll.
GHS-W 1943
•
1♂
;
Tchamba
; ZMB 77904
•
6 ♀
; N’Gambi; Coll. GHS-W 0555-0557.
DESCRIPTION
. — Relatively slender-bodied frog (SVL
20.4-31 mm
♂
,
27-34.2 mm
♀
), with comparatively stocky head and an oval snout.
Head
as long as broad (HW 27-31% SVL; HL 29-34%
SVL
).
Tympanum
barely distinct, covered by skin (TYD 2-5%
SVL
).
Tibia
moderately long (TL 43-55%
SVL
).
Webbing
rather large, leaving sup to two phalanges free; webbing formula: I 1 – 1 ½
II
½ - 1 ½
III
½ – 2
IV 1
½ – ½
V. Toes
and fingers terminated by discs.
Skin
uniformly smooth over entire back and flanks; belly and chest granular
.
COLOURATION
. — This species has a yellowish or grayish colour. Juveniles are uniform gray to brown, and turn white at temperatures above 35°C (see summary of the biology in
Rödel [2000]
). Adults vary from almost uniform yellow with darker lateral bands and blotches to yellow dorsal colouration with brown or dark spots of varying shapes and sizes much. The ventral side is white.
SEXUAL
DIMORPHISM
. — The throat of male shows a yellow gland on the subgular vocal sac.
HABITATS
AND
DISTRIBUTION
. — In
Togo
this species is characteristic for the Sudanian savannahs. It is very frequent in the North (Kéran Park and around Niamtougou). In the rainy season it often perches on grasses, shrubs or any other pond plant. The southern limit of its distribution in
Togo
is at Togodo National Park, in ecological zone IV. Specimens were collected in the north-western part along the Atakora mountain range between the villages of Souroukou and Malfakassa in the Bassar region, mainly in the locality of Bounako. The presence of this species in
Togo
has also been reported by
Bourgat (1979)
and
Segniagbeto
et al.
(2022)
.