A new genus and species of petropedetine frog (amphibia anura ranidae) from high altitude in the mountains of ethiopia

Abstract

A new genus and species, Ericabatrachus baleensis, is described from forested localities in the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia. The new taxon seems most closely allied to Petropedetes Reichenow 1874, from West Africa, and to Arthroleptides Nieden 1910, which is found in Kenya and Tanzania. It resembles these genera in being associated with fast-flowing forest streams and there is circumstantial evidence of a terrestrial life cycle, perhaps similar to that observed in some species of Petropedetes.Morphological features which are considered to justify the recognition of a new genus include the small size and distinctive habitus of the animal, significantly reduced first finger and subarticular tubercles, and a striking ventral colour pattern. © 1991 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.