''Phrynobatrachus krefftii'' is a species of

frog A frog is any member of a diverse and largely Carnivore, carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians composing the order (biology), order Anura (ανοὐρά, literally ''without tail'' in Ancient Greek). The oldest fossil "proto-f ...

in the family

Phrynobatrachidae ''Phrynobatrachus'' is a genus of Sub-Saharan frogs that form the monogeneric family Phrynobatrachidae. Their common name is puddle frogs, dwarf puddle frogs, African puddle frogs, or African river frogs. The common name, puddle frog, refers to ...

. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to the

Usambara Mountains The Usambara Mountains of northeastern Tanzania in tropical East Africa, comprise the easternmost ranges of the Eastern Arc Mountains. The ranges of approximately long and about half that wide, are situated in the Lushoto District of the Tang ...

Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and ...

, including both the West and East Usambaras and the Magrotto ridge. The specific name ''krefftii'' honours Paul Krefft, a German herpetologist and physician who made several expeditions to Africa. Common names Krefft's river frog and Krefft's puddle frog have been coined for it.

Description

''Phrynobatrachus krefftii'' is a relatively large ''Phrynobatrachus'' measuring in snout–vent length. The tympanum is distinct. The finger and toe tips bear strongly developed discs. The toe webbing is extensive. The dorsum is brown or olive and has darker spots. Males in breeding conditions portray a sharply projecting snout, thickened nuptial pad on the first toe, bright yellow throat, and lower jaw outlined by a dark stripe. Females and juveniles have white or greenish throat.

Habitat and conservation

''Phrynobatrachus krefftii'' typically occur in montane and submontane forests and streams 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 ...

. They tolerate a mild degree of habitat degradation. They are diurnal and breed in damp and moist areas by streams. The egg masses are laid above the water, attached to rocks or vegetation. This species is locally common. It is very likely to suffer from forest loss and degradation that occurs within its range, particularly outside protected areas. It occurs, however, in several protected areas, including the relatively well-protected Amani and Nilo Nature Reserves.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2699880 krefftii Frogs of Africa Amphibians of Tanzania Endemic fauna of Tanzania Taxa named by George Albert Boulenger Amphibians described in 1909 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot