The status of the genusPhrynobatrachusGünther 1862 in Ethiopia and Eritrea, including description of a new species (Amphibia Anura Ranidae)

Abstract

Three species of the genus Phrynobatrachus Günther 1862 are recognised in Ethiopia. The largest, which has relatively extensive webbing between the toes and ranges northwards into Eritrea, is primarily a denizen of lowland savanna and not recorded in NE Africa at altitudes greater than 2200 m. It is current practice to call this taxon P. natalensis (Smith 1849) and the names bottegi Boulenger 1895, zavattarii Scortecci 1943 and sciangallarum Scortecci 1943 are considered to represent conspecifics. The two remaining species are much smaller, with conspicuously reduced webbing and are most commonly associated with montane habitats. Morphological variation in Phrynobatrachus minutus (Boulenger 1895) is here described for the first time on the basis of adequate Ethiopian material. Recorded in this country from elevations of 800–2800 m, the species appears to be present also in the mountains of Kenya and may perhaps extend as far south as the northern highlands of Tanzania. Phrynobatrachus inexpectatus n. sp. is at present known from just two sites spanning 2600–2650 m and could prove to be a true Ethiopian endemic. At its type locality, the new species has been found occupying the same pools as P. minutus and its distinguishing features include still smaller size, even more restricted webbing and the possession of an obviously darker throat in the adult male.