Afrixalus dorsalis (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 : 642

Afrixalus dorsalis (Peters, 1875)

( Fig. 5 A-C)

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Togo • 6 ♂, 2 ♀; Afagnan ; MNHN-RA-1998.3081-3086, MNHN-RA-1998.3088, MNHN-RA-1998.3089 • 8 ♂, 4 ♀; Togblekopé;MNHN-RA-1993.3675-3677, MNHN-RA-2006.2291, MNHN-RA-2006.2292; Coll . GHS-W 0333, Coll . GHS-W 0340, Coll . GHS-W 0362, Coll . GHS-W 0363, Coll . GHS-W 0367-0369 • 2 ♀; Akloa; ZMB 77896 , ZMB 77897 • 2 ♀; Yo ( Agomé Yo ); Coll . GHS-W 0684 .

DESCRIPTION. — Small sized (SVL 19.5-25 mm ♂, 20-26 mm ♀), slender-bodied frog with a rounded snout. Head slightly longer than wide (HW 25-34% SVL; HL 30-37% SVL). Tympanum barely distinct, covered by skin (TYD 2-5% SVL). Tibia short (TL 40-45% SVL). Webbing small with three phalanges free; webbing formula: I 2 – 2 ½ II 1 – 3 III 2 – 3 IV 3 – ½ V. Fingers and toes ending in discs. Skin smooth with asperities on dorsal part of body and flanks; belly granular in the posterior part.

COLOURATION. — This species has variable whitish-yellow dorsal patterns on a brown dorsum. The most common form is two continuous pale, dorso-lateral bands running from the snout over the eyelids and ending shortly before the vent. In some specimens a narrower pale vertebral band is present. The flanks show a brown colouration similar to that of the back. In some populations the lateral bands are very wide, covering almost the entire back. The belly is white. In both males and females, the dorsal surface of the thighs and legs is brown with whitish pattern.

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. — The subgular vocal sac of male carries a large round and yellow gular gland.

HABITATS AND DISTRIBUTION. — This species is characteristic of densely vegetated savannahs and degraded forests near ponds, rivers or other water bodies. It is more frequent in the southern part of the country (ecological zones III, IV and V). Specimens have been observed in Lomé and its surroundings (Togblékopé, Djagblé and Amédéhoévé), Notsé, Wahala, and the forest zone (Badou, Akloa and Yo). The northernmost records of this species in Togo is the Badou region. Bourgat (1979), SchiØtz (1999) and Segniagbeto et al. (2007, 2022) have indicated the presence of the species in the ecological zones III and IV.

Figures

FIG. 5. — Representatives of anuran species from Togo in life: A-C, Afrixalus dorsalis (Peters, 1875): A, B, (Togbekope); C, (Akloa); D, Afrixalus vittiger (Peters, 1876) male (Kalaré); E, Afrixalus weidholzi (Mertens, 1938) (Guérin Kuka); F, Hyperolius baumanni Ahl, 1931 (Diguendue).