GULF OF GUINEA CONSERVATION GROUP

GULF OF GUINEA CONSERVATION GROUP

GULF OF GUINEA ISLANDS' BIODIVERSITY NETWORK

PRÍNCIPE FROGS

There are three, arguably four, species of frog on Príncipe, all of which are endemic. Nesionixalus molleri and Phyrnobatrachus dispar are shared with the island of São Tomé whilst Leptopelis palmatus is only known from Príncipe.

	Leptopelis palmatus Peters 1868 (the first four pictures here) is endemic to Príncipe. Until recently it was only known from female specimens. As can be seen from the photos on this page it is also polymorphic.





Two species of Phrynobatrachus have been recorded from Príncipe: Phrynobatrachus dispar (Peters 1870) and P. feae (BouLenger 1906). However, there is considerable doubt as to whether these are actually two distinct species. Boulenger (1906) noted the very small size of specimens of P. feae but in his key gave only one very minor distinguishing characteristic: P. dispar Toes one fourth to one third webbed, no spine-like tubercle on upper eyelid. Tips of fingers and toes dilated into very distinct discs; inner metatarsal tubercle considerably nearer to outer than to inner tubercle. P. feae Tips of fingers and toes dilated into very distinct discs; inner metatarsal tubercle equally distant from the outer and from the tarsal tubercle. Examination of recently collected specimens shows that the difference in spacing of the inner metatarsal tubercle between the outer and the tarsal tubercle approaches equality as size decreases, suggesting that this may not be a good characteristic. If the two species are distinct, P. feae may be a dwarfed form of P. dispar.		Phrynobatrachus dispar (male)
	Phrynobatrachus dispar (female)
		*Phrynobatrachus dispar*



	Nesionixalus molleri Bedriaga 1892 is endemic to São Tomé and Príncipe. The juvenile male form is known to have distinct morphological characteristics that disappear with age.
Nesionixalus molleri

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