Hoplobatrachus occipitalis (Günther, 1859)

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 : 640

Hoplobatrachus occipitalis (Günther, 1859)

( Fig. 4E )

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Togo • 1 ♂, 36 ♀; Bado ; MNHN-RA-1979.1067-1072, MNHN-RA-1979.1074-1084, MNHN-RA-1979.1086-1103 • 1 ♀; Kpalimé ; MNHN-RA-2006.2178 .

DESCRIPTION. — Very large frog (SVL 95-98 mm ♂), with robust and strong body, more or less dorso-ventrally flattened. Snout rounded. Head as long as broad (HW 38-41% SVL; HL 36-41% SVL). Tympanum very large and round (TYD 7-8% SVL). Hind legs strong, rather short (TL 44-47% SVL). Webbing complete, leaving no phalanges free. Back bearing numerous prominent short glandular folds, flanks with warts arranged longitudinally.

COLOURATION. — The dorsal surface is characterised by its variable colouration (olive, dark gray brown, whitish and gray). The dorsal part of the thigh, tibia and forearm are brown to greenish with dark transverse spots. Dark spots of varying sizes are present on the posterior part of the thigh and tibia. The ventral side is clearer but usually shows dark blotches.

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. — The male is distinguished by a pair of vocal sacks laterally on the throat.

HABITATS AND DISTRIBUTION. — The species Hoplobatrachus occipitalis is very widely distributed in all regions of the country. It is both a savannah and forest form with its range extending from west to east Africa including the northern part of southern Africa. It frequents human dwellings and is present even in cities. Numerous observations were made in almost all localities visited. This species is exploited for human consumption in some restaurants in Lomé and some other cities (for very intense harvest of this species in neighbouring Benin, see Mohneke et al. 2010). Some communities in the North hunt this species for family food. It was reported in Togo by Bourgat (1979) from Atakpamé, Missahohé, Gadjagan, Kabou, Kanté, Katobodjo, Kovié, Niamtougou and Lomé, and by Segniagbeto et al. (2022) from Tetetou to Nagbeto dam area along the Mono River.

Figures

FIG. 4. — Representatives of anuran species from Togo in life: A, Sclerophrys maculata (Hallowell, 1854) (Kalaré, Fazao Malfakassa); B, Sclerophrys regularis (Reuss, 1833) (Adjarala); C, Sclerophrys togoensis (Ahl, 1924) (Diguendue); D, Conraua derooi Hulselmans, 1972 (Yikpa-Dzigbe); E, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis (Günther, 1859) (Akloa); F, Hemisus marmoratus (Peters, 1854) (Kpalimé).