Leptopelis bequaerti

Leptopelis bequaerti
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Arthroleptidae
Genus: Leptopelis
Species:
L. bequaerti
Binomial name
Leptopelis bequaerti

Leptopelis bequaerti is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae.[3][4] It is endemic to Liberia and only known from its type locality, Gbarnga, and from Mount Coffee.[1][3] Common name Gbanga forest treefrog has been coined for it.[3][4][5] It is a poorly known species with uncertain taxonomic validity.[1][6]

Etymology

The specific name bequaerti honours Joseph Charles Bequaert, a Belgian botanist, entomologist, and malacologist[5] who collected the holotype.[2]

Description

Adult females measure 29–38 mm (1.1–1.5 in)[7] and a single adult male 29 mm (1.1 in) in snout–vent length. A newly metamorphosed juvenile measured 15 mm (0.6 in). The snout is rounded. The tympanum is visible. The fingers are relatively long and bear large discs but only rudimentary webbing. The toes bear discs that are slightly smaller than the finger ones. The toes are two-thirds webbed. Skin of the dorsum is shagreened and bears small scattered warts. Colouration is pale brown above with a dark triangular interorbital marking. There is often a connected hourglass like pattern further back. A dark line runs from the eye, over the tympanum, and to the base of the forearm. The flanks are marbled. The limbs have dark crossbars. The ventrum is creamy white, possibly with sparse, brown mottling.[2]

Habitat and conservation

The habitat of this species is unknown, although it presumably breeds in temporary waterbodies where its tadpoles would develop. Threats to this species are unknown, as is its possible presence in protected areas.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2014). "Leptopelis bequaerti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T56243A18387109. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T56243A18387109.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Loveridge, Arthur (1941). "Report on the Smithsonian-Firestone Expedition's collection of reptiles and amphibians from Liberia". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 91 (3128): 113–140. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.91-3128.113. hdl:10088/16359.
  3. ^ a b c d Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Leptopelis bequaerti Loveridge, 1941". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Leptopelis bequaerti Loveridge, 1941". African Amphibians. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  5. ^ a b Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
  6. ^ Penner, Johannes; Augustin, Moritz & Rödel, Mark-Oliver (2017). "Modelling the spatial baseline for amphibian conservation in West Africa". Acta Oecologica. 94: 31–40. doi:10.1016/j.actao.2017.11.018. S2CID 90250118.
  7. ^ Rödel, Mark-Oliver (2007). "The identity of Hylambates hyloides Boulenger, 1906 and description of a new small species of Leptopelis from West Africa". Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin. Zoologische Reihe. 83 (Supplement): 90–100. doi:10.1002/mmnz.200600031.