Petropedetes palmipes

Petropedetes palmipes is a species of frog in the family Petropedetidae. It is known from a few localities in southwestern Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and western Gabon.[1][2] Common name Efulen water frog has been coined for it.[1][2]

Petropedetes palmipes
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Petropedetidae
Genus: Petropedetes
Species:
P. palmipes
Binomial name
Petropedetes palmipes
Boulenger, 1905

Description

Adult males measure 40–58 mm (1.6–2.3 in) and adult females 38–55 mm (1.5–2.2 in) in snout–urostyle length. The body is robust. The snout is relatively more pointed than in other Petropedetes. The tympanum is very small and indistinct whereas the supratympanic fold is distinct. The fingers are slender and have typically T-shaped tips. The fingers have no webbing whereas the toes are fully webbed. The dorsum is uniformly dark green and black with some tiny pale spots. Adults can be glossy black and difficult to see among wet stones. The upper hinds limbs have faint crossbars. The throat is whitish or dark marbled.[3]

The tadpoles are flat-bodied with large eyes and a long, pointed tail. They are grey, turning darker with age, but translucent ventrally. The largest tadpoles are 35 mm (1.4 in) in total length.[3]

Habitat and conservation

Petropedetes palmipes occurs in rocky areas in lowland forest, usually near flowing water,[1] at elevations up to 469 m (1,539 ft) above sea level.[3] The eggs are clued to rocks outside water,[1][3] although eggs and tadpoles have also been found submerged.[3]

Petropedetes palmipes is a rare species that does not tolerate much modification of its forest habitat. It is, presumably, threatened by habitat loss caused by agriculture, logging and human settlements. It is found in the Monte Alen National Park in Equatorial Guinea and in the Crystal Mountains National Park in Gabon.[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group 2019. Petropedetes palmipes. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T58082A96757898. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T58082A96757898.en. Downloaded on 22 July 2019.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Petropedetes palmipes Boulenger, 1905". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  3. Barej, Michael F.; Rödel, Mark-Oliver; Gonwouo, N. L.; Pauwels, Olivier S.G.; Böhme, Wolfgang & Schmitz, Andreas (2010). "Review of the genus Petropedetes Reichenow, 1874 in Central Africa with the description of three new species (Amphibia: Anura: Petropedetidae)". Zootaxa. 2340: 1–49. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2340.1.1.
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