Xenopus clivii Peracca, 1898

Mulatu, Tilahun & Getahun, Abebe, 2018, Diversity of anurans in forest fragments of southwestern Ethiopia: The case of the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve (YCFBR), Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 158) 12 (2), pp. 30-40 : 35

Xenopus clivii Peracca, 1898

Largen (2001) discussed the existence of two species of Xenopus in Ethiopia, X. clivii and X. largeni . X. clivii ( Fig. 5D ), which is the widespread species of Xenopus , is the one that was reported to exist in southwestern Ethiopia ( Evans et al. 2011). Largen (2001) indicated that the species exists in the elevational range between 1,900 –2,750 m. During the current survey, the species was observed in the elevational range between 1,400 –1,900 m. Dorsoventrally flattened body with dorsal eyes and the digits that are extensively webbed were observed in collected individuals. This is an adaptation for entirely aquatic existence. The species has a very narrow habitat requirement since it only exists in permanent and temporary ponds. Tentacles that surround their eyes and the black claw on their metatarsal tubercle, that differentiate this species from its relative ( X. largeni ), were observed in the current collection. The adult individuals for the species were collected only from one collection site while the tadpoles were observed in temporary ponds in other collection sites. During the dry season, a good number of individuals were collected, while the number decreased during the wet season.

Conraua beccarii Boulenger, 1911

Conraua beccarii ( Fig. 5F ), the largest anuran species in eastern Africa , was reported to exist in southwestern Ethiopia in the elevational range between 300–2,500 m ( Largen 2001). During the current survey, the species was collected from one collection site at elevation of 1,665 m taking refuge under rock crevices over which fast moving stream water flows. The hidden nature of the habitat and the fast-flowing stream water were bar- riers for catching individuals. Dorsal eyes, a dorso-ventrally flattened body especially near the head region, and digits that are significantly webbed like Xenopus were observed in caught individuals. During the dry season, three adult individuals and many tadpoles and froglets were observed under rock crevices. However, during the wet season no individual tadpole or froglet was observed while the number of adult individuals does not show significant variation from the dry season .

Figures

Fig. 5. Selected species encountered in YCFBR. (A) Leptopelis ragazzii, (B) Paracassina obscura, (C) Hyperolius nasutus, (D) Xenopus clivii, (E) Ptychadena anchiatae, (F) Conraua beccarii.