Frontier Forest Toad

general

This species is known only from two males that were captured in pitfall traps near a stream in 1999 (Menegon and Loader, 2004; Harper et al., 2010).

African Amphibians

general

This species is named for the organisation Frontier-Tanzania, whose members collected the type series of this species and have also made significant contributions to understanding the biological diversity of Tanzania.

African Amphibians

morphology

This species is small Nectophrynoides with a moderately robust body. Head longer than wide. The tympanum is faintly discernible on both sides of the head. Reflection of the skin on the left side reveals a clear annulus and tympanum. A columella is not clearly visible. The auditory apparatus is evidently partially degenerate. The pupil is horizontal pupil, and the eye is visible ventrally. Sides of the head are vertical. Canthus rostralis is slightly concave, with the snout extending beyond the upper lip. Parotoid glands are absent; skin of the parotoid region with a few small, separated, rounded to oval glands. A glandular ridge on outer edge of eyelids is present. Nostrils are closer to the tip of snout than to eye, below the level of the canthus rostralis and directed laterally. Webbing on hands is absent and only found at the base of the toes. Fingertips are rounded or pointed but not expanded or truncated. One metacarpal tubercle and two sub-equal metatarsal tubercles are present. The tibia/foot ratio is 1.16 in the holotype (Menegon et al., 2004). The dorsal ground colour is a uniform light brown, with lighter areas corresponding to layers of skin that were probably being sh

African Amphibians

conservation

The IUCN Red List (2010) categorizes this species as Data Deficient becausa it has only recently been discovered, and there is still very little information on its extent of occurrence, status and ecological requirements (Menegon and Loader, 2004).

African Amphibians