Hyperolius nitidulus Peters, 1875

Segniagbeto, Gabriel Hoinsoudé, Ohler, Annemarie, Rödel, Mark-Oliver, Luiselli, Luca & Dubois, Alain, 2024, Amphibians of Togo: taxonomy, distribution and conservation status, Zoosystema 46 (25), pp. 631-670 : 648

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).

Figures

FIG. 9. — Representatives of anuran species from Togo in life:A-D, Hyperolius nitidulus Peters,1875:A, (N’Gambi);B, C, (Karalé);D, (Bounako).