Tanzaniaherps.org

The herpetofauna of Mountains of Tanzania

Arthroleptis affinis , Ahl, 1939

IUCN: LEAST CONCERN (LC)

An adult specimen.

type

Holotype: Not stated; given as ZMB 23093 by Grandison (1983), Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.)

type locality

Amani, East Usambaras

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

recorded localities

Amani Nature Reserve, Mtai, Nilo, Nguru South, Kanga, Nguru South , Rubeho, Mafwomero, Ukwiva, South Pare, Udzungwa, Mwanihana , New Dabaga, Udzungwa scarp, West Kilombero Scarp, Uluguru, Mkungwe, Shikurufumi, Uluguru north, Uluguru south, West Usambara, Ambangulu,

Habitat and Ecology

A. affinis is a very common species adaptable to many different habitats. It can be found in the leaf-litter of montane and submontane forests as well as grasslands and a range of degraded habitat types. Eggs are laid in moist soil or leaves and develop directly into small frogs without passing through a free-swimming tadpole stage. Males in breeding condition have serrations on the second and third fingers.

THREATS

Major Threats

Conservation measures

It occurs in the Udzungwa National Park and the Amani Nature Reserve.

Description and Diagnosis

A small frog (SVL 33-45mm) with a broad head and long legs. The dorsum is light brown, and typically lacks the hourglass pattern common in many other Arthroleptis species. A dark black mark curves from the eye to the arm over the tympanum and may appear like a mask in some individuals. The lower lip is barred and the undersides of the feet are dark black. The belly is yellowish near the groin and the undersides of the legs are reddish orange. The tips of the toes are slightly expanded and have a groove along the edge. There is some variation in morphology among individuals from the northern to the southern part of the range.

Call and Calling bahaviour

Unknown.

mp3 of the call

sonagram of the call

Similar species

The legs of A. affinis are long (tibia greater than ½ SVL) in contrast to many other Arthroleptis species. Adult female A. affinis are smaller than A. nikeae, which reach 54 – 56 mm SVL.

DATA SOURCES

Data providers

Selected Bibliography

Grandison, A.G.C. 1983. A new species of Arthroleptis (Anura: Ranidae) from the West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Zoology 45: 77-8

Harper, E.B., G.J. Measey, D.A. Patrick, M. Menegon and J.R. Vonesh. 2010. Field Guide to the Amphibians of the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Tanzania and Kenya. Camerapix Publishers International, Nairobi, Kenya.

Poynton, J., K. Howell, T. Davenport and M. Menegon. 2004. Arthroleptis affinis. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 August 2010.

author of the species account

Fabio Pupin, Elena Tonelli