''Cardioglossa trifasciata'' is a species of frog in the family

Arthroleptidae The Arthroleptidae are a family of frogs found in sub-Saharan Africa. This group includes African treefrogs in the genus ''Leptopelis'' along with the terrestrial breeding squeakers '' Arthroleptis'', and several genera restricted to the Guinea ...

. It is endemic to western Cameroon and only known from the southern slopes of Mount Manengouba. Common name Nsoung long-fingered frog has been coined for it.

Description

Males measure and females in snout–vent length. Males have extremely long third fingers and spines in the fingers and in the groin; females lack these characteristics. Dorsal markings typical for the genus ''Cardioglossa'' are present, whereas the white line running under the tympanum is absent.

Habitat and conservation

''Cardioglossa trifasciata'' occurs in dense secondary bush and montane forest at elevations of

above sea level Height above mean sea level is a measure of the vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) of a location in reference to a historic mean sea level taken as a vertical datum. In geodesy, it is formalized as ''orthometric heights''. The comb ...

; it has not been recorded from primary forest because no such habitat remains. Individuals have been found in and around a small stream, hiding under large rocks and small stones. Breeding probably takes place in the stream. ''Cardioglossa trifasciata'' occurs in an area that is well surveyed. There is no good quantitative data on its abundance, but it is believed to be declining. The species is threatened by habitat loss caused by agricultural encroachment (including plantations of tree crops), expanding human settlements, and extraction of wood for firewood and building materials. It is not known from any protected area. Suitable habitat might exist on the Rumpi Hills, a site relatively close to Mount Manengouba. However, the area has not been well investigated in recent years, and it is not known whether the species might be found in the Rumpi Hills.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2236542 trifasciata Frogs of Africa Amphibians of Cameroon Endemic fauna of Cameroon Amphibians described in 1972 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Fauna of the Cameroonian Highlands forests