Tylototriton soimalai: A new species of Crocodile Newt from Tak Province, northwestern Thailand.

Salamanders of the genus Tylototriton, known as Crocodile Newts for the scale-like knobbly protuberances on their skin, are found across the Himalayan Region, Southeast Asia, and South and Central China. There are currently 40 described species, most of which are highly endemic (have very limited distributions), with several known undescribed species in Southeast Asia. There are currently six described species from Thailand, Tylototriton verrucosus,   Tylototriton uyenoi, Tylototriton anguliceps, Tylototriton phukhaensis, Tylototriton umphangensis, and Tylototriton panhai, five of which have been described since 2013. 

In a paper published in the journal ZooKeys on 15 October 2024, Porrawee Pomchote of the Department of Biology at Chulalongkorn University, Parada Peerachidacho of the Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia at Mahidol University, Wichase Khonsue also of the Department of Biology at Chulalongkorn University, Pitak Sapewisut of the Department of Biology at Chiang Mai University, Axel Hernandez of the College of Biology & the Environment at Nanjing Forestry University and the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University Pasquale Paoli of Corsica, Chitchol Phalaraksh, also of the Department of Biology at Chiang Mai University, Parunchai Siriput of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and Kanto Nishikawa of the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies and Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies at Kyoto University, describe a new species of Crocodile Newt from Mae Tuen Wildlife Sanctuary in Tak Province, northwestern Thailand.

In July 2014, Axel Hernandez discovered a male Crocodile Newt in a muddy pond in the middle of a Dipterocarp and mixed deciduous forest close to the top of Doi Soi Malai (Mount Soi Malai), about 1500 m above sealevel. He initially assigned this to Tylototriton uyenoi, a species which had been described the previous year from the same area. However, subsequent examination of the specimen showed that it differed from Tylototriton uyenoi in a number of ways. In 2015 the Tourism Authority of Thailand published a video clip on the MGR Online platform showing Crocodile Newts at the same location. This led to a field study of the area in August 2022, during which three adult male Crocodile Newts and two tadpoles were discovered in a muddy puddle in a road on Doi Soi Malai, again at about 1500 m above sealevel.

Pomchote et al. carried out both genetic and morphological analysis of the Doi Soi Malai specimens, both of which led them to conclude that they were representatives of a new species. This is named Tylototriton soimalai, in reference to the location where it was discovered, Doi Soi Malai.

The male holotype of Tylototriton soimalai (CUMZ-A-8253) observed at the type locality. Pomchote et al. (2024).

The known specimens of Tylototriton soimalai are medium-sized Crocodile Newts, ranging from 90.7 mm to 109.3 mm in length, with and are black in colour (dark grey on the underside), with two orange ridges on either side of the dorsal surface of the skull, behind which are two rows of orange nodules which follow the length of the body, but not the tail, while a third, solid orange ridge follows the length of the spine, including the tail.

The two tadpoles vary in size, with one roughly double the size of the other, despite being found at the same time. In both, the head is large with visible eyes, and three pairs of reddish-brown external gills.  The tadpoles are pale brown in colour with scattered black markings, and purple-silver markings around the eyes and fin, and on the flanks.

The two larvae of Tylototriton soimalai in life. Pomchote et al. (2024).

All of the specimens were found in a muddy puddle roughly 10 m long and 5 m wide, with a maximum depth of about 35 cm. They were found at about midday on 31 August 2022, which is in the rainy season; this is presumed to be the breeding season of the Newts. The puddle is located on a road running over Doi Soi Malai, with the exact location not given to protect the species from illegal collection.

Pomchote et al. note that the road is extensively used by mountain bike and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts, particularly during the monsoon season, despite these activities being banned in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. For this reason, Pomchote et al. recommend that the road should be closed off completely during the monsoon season, remaining open to hikers during the dry and winter seasons. They also note that the environment both within and around the Mae Tuen Wildlife Sanctuary has been degraded by deforestation and fragmentation for agricultural use, primarily cabbage farming. They therefore recommend that Tylototriton soimalai be listed as Endangered under the terms of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. 

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Stefania maccullochi: A new species of Carrying Frog from the Guiana Shield Highlands of northern South America.

The Guiana Shield is a range of ancient mountains covering much of French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana, and southern Venezuela. The area is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, particularly in the Highlands area, which comprises a series of flat-topped sandstone plateaus known as 'tepuis', which have been largely isolated from both one-another and the outside world for millions of years, giving rise to a huge number of endemic species (the area was the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Lost World'). 

In a paper published in the journal Zoological Letters on 25 May 2023, Philippe Kok of the  Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology at the University of Łódź and Department of Life Sciences at the Natural History Museum, describes a new species of Carrying Frog from Wei-Assipu-tepui, a 2260 m high flat-topped plateau on the border between Guyana and Brazil.

Carrying Frogs, Stefania spp., are a genus of Frogs restricted to the Guiana Shield, and for the most part to the tepuis of the Guiana Highlands. Most species are endemic to a single tepui, with most tepuis having 1-2 species, while the largest can have 5-6. A single species, Stefania evansi, is found in lowland environments. The group get their common name from their reproductive behaviour, with the females carrying their eggs on their backs until they hatch producing Froglets (there is no Tadpole stage), which are also carried until they are large enough to fend for themselves. The taxonomy of Carrying Frogs can be difficult, as all members of the group tend to be morphologically similar to one another and all species are quite variable in colouration. Furthermore, genetic analysis of Carrying Frogs has revealed that apparently similar populations are genetically distinct, while apparently morphologically distinct groups are in fact the same species.

Wei-Assipu-tepui has a surface area of a only 3 km³, and is entirely surrounded by high cliffs, so that it can only be reached by helicopter of ascending a vertical rock-face. The surface of the plateau is divided by a series of fractures, the deepest of which, Sima de los Guácharos, reaches more than 100 m beneath the plateau surface. The first recorded expedition to the plateau was in July 2000, when a joint expedition by the Sociedad Espeleológica Italiana and the Sociedad Venezolana de Espeleología visited the summit with the intention of exploring its cave systems. 

Summit of Wei-Assipu-tepui. (A) Aerial photograph taken facing southwest. (B) Aerial photograph taken facing northwest. Adrian Warren & Philippe Kok in Kok (2023).

The 2000 expedition to Wei-Assipu-tepui made a small collection of Amphibians was made, including a previously unknown species of Bush Toad, Oreophrynella sp., which was later described as Oreophrynella weiassipuensis, as well as a Carrying Frog, Stefania sp., which was never identified. The plateau was visited again in November 2009 by Philippe Kok, who spent two weeks there, collecting Amphibian and Reptile specimens. Kok collected nine species, including 23 specimens of a Carrying Frog morphologically identical to Stefania riveroi, a species known from Yuruani-tepui in Venezuela, about 20 km to the northwest of Wei-Assipu-tepui. However, a DNA analysis carried out several years later showed that these Frogs were not closely related to Stefania riveroi, instead forming a sister group to Stefania ayangannae, a morphologically distinct species found on Mount Wokomung, and Mount Ayanganna, two large tepuis in western Guyana, both more than 80 km to the east of Wei-Assipu-tepui. 

Based upon this, Kok describes the population from Wei-Assipu-tepui as a new species, which he names Stefania maccullochi, in honour of the Canadian herpetologist Ross Douglas MacCulloch, for his seminal contribution to the systematics and taxonomy of the genus Stefania in particular, and to the knowledge of the Amphibians and Reptiles of Guyana in general.

Main colour pattern variation in Stefania maccullochi. (A) IRSNB 15854, male. (B) NHMUK 2023.3188 (PK2098), female. (C) IRSNB 15855, female. (D) NHMUK 2023.3193 (PK2148), male. (E) NHMUK 2023.3192 (PK2137), male. (F) NHMUK 2023.3187 (PK2084), male. Kok (2023).

Stefania maccullochi is a large species of Carrying Frog, with the largest female found measuring 72.9 mm in length, while the largest male is 54.6 mm, with a head no longer than it is wide. Although this species appeared morphologically identical to Stefania riveroi on initial examination, a more thorough examination made after it was discovered the two populations were genetically distinct found that there were some subtle differences between the skeletons of the two species, most notably a deep indentation along the anteromedial base of the alary process of the premaxilla of Stefania maccullochi, which Stefania riveroi lacks, and the contact between the posterodorsal projection of the maxilla and the orbital/zygomatic ramus of the squamosal, which is fused in Stefania riveroi, while in Stefania maccullochi there is barely a contact.

Three-dimensional model of the cranium of the holotype of Stefania maccullochi. (NHMUK 2023.3184) based on computed tomography imagery. (A) Dorsal view. (B) Ventral view. (C) Frontal view. (D) Left lateral view. Abbreviations: ang, Angulosplenial; ang.cp, Coronoid process of the angulosplenial; col, Columella; c.p, Cultriform process; d, Dentary; exo, Exoccipital; fp, Frontoparietal; lam.p, Lamina perpendicularis; mmk, Mentomeckelian; mx, Maxilla; mx.pp, Posterodorsal projection of the maxilla; na, Nasal; na.mp, Maxillary process of the nasal; neo, Neopalatine; p.f, Pars facialis; pmx, Premaxilla; pmx. ap, Alary process of the premaxilla; pmx.lp, Lateral process of the premaxilla; pmx.pp, Palatine process of the premaxilla; pro, Prootic; psp, Parasphenoid; psp.ar, Alary process of the parasphenoid; psp.pp, Posteromedial process of the parasphenoid; pt, Pterygoid; pt.ar, Anterior ramus of the pterygoid; pt. mr, Medial ramus of the pterygoid; pt.pr, Posterior ramus of the pterygoid; qua, Quadratojugal; smx, Septomaxilla; sph, Sphenethmoid; squa, Squamosal; squa.or, Otic ramus of the squamosal; squa.vr, Ventral ramus of the squamosal; squa.zr, Zygomatic ramus of the squamosal; v, Vomer. Kok (2023).

Phylogenetically, Stefania riveroi has previously been seen as the sister species to the pairing of Stefania ayangannae and Stefania coxi, two species which are both found on the large tepuis Mount Wokomung and Mount Ayanganna, far to the east of Wei-Assipu-tepui. Both of these tepuis are noted for their high diversity of Stefania species, with six found on Mount Wokomung and five on Mount Ayanganna.

Distribution map of the Stefania riveroi clade as currently understood. Kok 2023.

Despite being morphologically very similar to Stefania riveroi, a species found on a neighbouring tepui, Stefania maccullochi was found to be the sister species to Stefania ayangannae. Kok suggests that this implies the species have a combination of retained ancestral traits and similar environmental pressures, both inhabiting small, high platues where they are the only species of Stefania found, while Stefania ayangannae and Stefania coxi inhabit larger, lower plateaus which they share with a range of other species. he furthermore designates the four species together as the 'Stefania riveroi clade' within the genus Stefania. Interestingly, molecular clock analyses suggests that the splits between these species are not recent, with no divisions between any species likely to be more recent than the Miocene.

Phylogenetic relationships of the Stefania riveroi clade, based on 2301 base pairs of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (Bayesian statistical supports are provided at nodes), and comparison of crania in dorsal and lateral views. Circles and arrows highlight potential diagnostic characters: blue circles highlight absence/presence/location of a constriction in the frontoparietal bones; blue arrows highlight the condition of the frontoparietal crests; red arrows highlight the condition of (1) the contact between the posterodorsal projection of the maxilla and the orbital/zygomatic ramus of the squamosal, and (2) the contact between the maxillary process of the nasal and the maxilla. Kok (2023).

Wei-Assipu-tepui, the home to Stefania maccullochi, rises to 2260 m above sealevel and has a surface area of about 3 km³. Yuruani-tepui, the home to Stefania riveroi, reaches about 2400 m above sealevel, and has a surface area of 4.38 km³. The nearby tepuis of Roraima-tepui (2800 m), Kukenán-tepui (2600 m), Maringma-tepui (2100 m), and Maringma-tepui (about 2140 m) all appear to lack any species of Stefania.

The plateau of Wei-Assipu-tepui, is largely covered in vegetation, with  extensive areas of coarse herbs mixed with woody subshrubs on peat soils, as well as some quaking bogs and extensive patches of dwarf forests. These dwarf forests are dominated by Bonnetia roraimae, a flowering shrub found only on tepui tops. Other species common on the plateau are the Bromeliads Brocchinia tatei and Brocchinia reducta, the Rapateaceaen Stegolepis guianensis, the Yellow-eyed Grass Orectanthe sceptrum, and the Pitcher Plant Heliamphora nutans. The highest temperature recorded on the summit in the day was 29°C, and the lowest at night was 11°C. The relative humidity varied by between a minimum of 24% in the day and a maximum of 98% at night. All measurements were taken in November.

Main macrohabitats on the summit of Wei-Assipu-tepui. The clif visible in the background of (A) is the eastern fank of Roraima-tepui. Kok (2023).

Active Stefania maccullochi, including females with eggs, were observed at night, crawling on the ground and on low vegetation. Females with carried young were observed within Bromeliad tubes at night and by day, while another was found hiding under a rock by day. Other resting specimens were observed in the day on the ground, between rocks, and on trees as much as 2 m above the ground. On individual was observed sitting on a mossy rock at the bottom of a 30 m-deep crevice. No males were observed calling, but load single-note 'peeps' consistent with the a male Stefania.

Various females of Stefania maccullochi carrying eggs and juveniles. (A) & (B) Uncollected female carrying 9 juveniles. (C) NHMUK 2023.3190 (PK2122), carrying 10 eggs/metamorphs. (D) NHMUK 2023.3185 (PK2063), carrying 2 near-term juveniles. (E) & (F) IRSNB 15853, carrying 4 near-term juveniles. Kok (2023).

All known individuals of Stefania maccullochi have been observed within an area of less than 10 km², and that single location, the summit plateau of Wei-Assipu-tepui, is considered to be at threat from Human-set fires in the region, and the effects of climate change. It's isolation probably currently protects it from hazards such as Human-introduced pathogens such as Chytridiomycosis, although the species cannot be presumed to be completely safe, and strict hygiene protocols would need to be followed by documentary film-makers or others visiting the plateau. For these reasons, Kok considers that Stefania maccullochi should be considered to be Critically Endangered under the terms of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. 

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Centrolene zarza: A new species of Glassfrog from Zamora Chinchipe Province, southern Ecuador.

Glassfrogs, Centrolenidae, are a charismatic group of Neotropical Treefrogs distinguished by the transparent skin on their undersides, generally combined with a leaf-green dorsal surface. These Frogs lay their eggs in out-of-water environments close to streams, and have forward directed eyes. The males often have spines on their humeri. The Family Centrolenidae takes its name from the genus Centrolene, the third most species-rich genus in the group, currently containing 24 confirmed species and six possible ones. The genus has been well studied genetically, with DNA sequences available for 21 of the 24 confirmed species. Sixty three species of Glassfrogs, from ten genera, have been described from Ecuador to date, including 12 species of Centrolene, with DNA sequences available for 11 of these. 

In a paper published in the journal ZooKeys on 22 February 2023, Paul Székely of the Museo de Zoología and the Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos at the Universidad Técnica Particular deLoja, and the Research Center of the Department of Natural Sciences at Ovidius University Constanţa, María Córdova-Díaz, Daniel Hualpa-Vega, and Santiago Hualpa-Vega, also of the Museo de Zoología at the  Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, and of the Fundación Green Jewel, and Diana Székely, again of the Museo de Zoología and the Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, and the Research Center of the Department of Natural Sciences at Ovidius University Constanţa, describe a new species of Centrolene from the Refugio de Vida Silvestre El Zarza in Zamora Chinchipe Province, southern Ecuador.

The new species is named Centrolene zarza, in reference to the Refugio de Vida Silvestre El Zarza, a nature reserve founded in 2006, in order to protect the Cordillera del Cóndor’s biological richness, with a particular emphasis on its Amphibians and the Amazonian Tapir; the reserve is home to more than 50 species of Amphibians, as well as the Amazonian Tapirs, and other distinctive Mammal species, such as Jaguars, Oncilla (Spectacled Bears), and countless species of Plants and Birds. The species is described from two female and five male specimens, all collected within the reserve.

Holotype of Centrolene zarza (MUTPL 932, adult female), Snout-vent length 25.5 mm, in life. (A) Lateral view, (B) dorsolateral view, (C) ventral view. Székely et al. (2023).

Centrolene zarza is a medium-sized Glassfrog, with the holotype female measuring 25.5 mm from snout to vent and weighing 1.05 g. The dorsal surface of the species is light green, being slightly darker above the head and arms, The flanks are white or transparent, the underside transparent. The bones, visible through the skin, are green, other internal organs white or yellowish. The head is slightly narrower than the body, but still wider than it is long. The snout is rounded, with slightly elevated nostrils. The eyes are moderately sized, with a diameter 34% of the head length, the iris is yellow with thick and thin black reticulations. Some warts are present on the dorsal surface, these are elevated, sometimes enameled, and marked by white spots. The limbs are slender.

Morphological variation of Centrolene zarza in live specimens: (A), (B) Female, paratype (MUTPL 1051); (C), (D) male, paratype (MUTPL 933); (E), (F) male, paratype (MUTPL 1022). Székely et al. (2022).

Two clutches of eggs were observed, both laid on the upper side of leaves, about 3 m above a stream. These clutches contain 13 and 33 eggs respectively, and were apparently not tended by adults. Székely et al. were able to hatch the eggs in the laboratory, but not raise them as far as metamorphosis.

Egg-clutches of Centrolene zarza collected from the type locality (MUTPL-T22). (A) The egg-clutches attached to a leaf (10 June 2021). (B) Hatchlings in stage Gosner 20 (10 June 2021). (C) Hatchlings in stage Gosner 22 (13 June 2021). Székely et al. (2023).

Centrolene zarza was found only in the vegetation bordering two small streams within the Refugio de Vida Silvestre El Zarza, although within this limited range it was apparently quite abundant, being seen or heard on 50% of occasions when the site was visited, typically on the upper side of leaves. Males were heard calling in January, March, June, October, and November, although they were distinctly more active in March and October. No direct interactions between Frogs were observed. 

Given this very limited distribution, less than 7 km ², Székely et al. recommend that Centrolene zarza be treated as being Critically Endangered under the terms of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. They further note, that while the species entire known distribution is within a protected area, that area is now surrounded by mining concessions, with mining reaching the northern boundaries of the reserve and signs of illegal mining within the reserve, particularly along the banks of streams. 

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Hynobius owariensis: A new species of Salamander from Japan.

The Yamato Salamander, Hynobius vandenburghi, was originally described from Yamato Province (modern Nara Prefecture) in 1923, and has a modern distribution across Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Shiga, Mie, Gifu, and Aichi prefectures. Molecular data has suggested that this distribution consists of two monophyletic populations (i.e. each population can be traced back to a separate common ancestor, with little-or-no interbreeding since that time), one comprising the population on the Atsumi Peninsula (a 50 km outcrop of land in southern Aichi Prefecture, separating Mikawa Bay, to the north, from the Philippine Sea, to the south, with Ise Bay lying to its west) and the other all other living Yamato Salamanders. However, this understanding is currently based upon only a very small number of populations, so the true picture is likely to be more complicated, potentially with more distinct lineages within the whole.

In a paper published in the Bulletin of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum on 29 March 2022, Hirotaka Sugawara of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Kochi University, Takeshi Fujitani of the Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Shota Seguchi and Takuo Sawahata of the Graduate School of Agriculture at Kinki University, and Masahiro Nagano of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Oita University, evaluate the distinctiveness of the two 'Yamato Salamander' groups using morphological, phylogenetic, and evolutionary species concepts, and formally describe the Atsumi Peninsula population as a separate species.

Sugawara et al. took tissue samples from live Salamander specimens collected on private property or in fields from February 2007 to April 2021, from which DNA was extracted, another 55 specimens were anesthetized and measured for morphometric analysis (a tool used by palaeontologists, archaeologists, anthropologists and forensic pathologists to analyse and compare specimens, which involves taking numerous measurements of an object such as a bone or shell, and comparing both these measurements and ratios between measurements to those obtained from other specimens in order to establish relationships between them), with the majority then released back into the wild; three specimens from Atsumi were retained, providing a holotype and two paratypes of the new species. Samples were taken from a total of seven populations.

Two phylogenetic analyses were performed, including the collected samples and including other Hynobius species, and Salamandrella keyserlingii as the outgroup. The analysis based upon posterior probability values supported the concept that all specimens currently assigned to Hynobius vandenburghi form a monophyletic group (i.e. they share a single common ancestor from which they are all descended, with no specimens not assigned to the species being descended from that ancestor), however, an analysis based upon bootstrap values did not support this conclusion. Both the posterior probability and bootstrap analyses supported the conclusion that the two populations were themselves monophyletic groups, exclusive of one-another.

The new species is named Hynobius owariensis, where 'owariensis' means 'from Owari' (an old name for Aichi Prefecture). In this species the males tend to have a mottled pattern on their throats (generally absent or indistinct in Hynobius vandenburghi), but seldom had distinct black dots on the dorsum, distinct white dots on the venter, or distinct white dots on the lateral side of the body (generally present in Hynobius vandenburghi). Nor did they have a distinct and bright yellow line on the dorsal and ventral sides of the tail, something typically seen in Hynobius vandenburghi. 

 

Holotype of Hynobius owariensis (TMNHAM-78, adult male, 58.2 mm SVL): (A) dorsal and (B) ventral views. Sugawara et al. (2022).

Sugawara et al.'s study only included specimens from Aichi, Nara and Osaka prefectures, despite Hynobius vandenburghi being much more widely distributed, due to the high level of protection given to the species by Japan's strict conservation laws. This raises the distinct possibility that other, undiscovered cryptic species are hidden within this range, raising further concerns for the future of these Salamanders. As it is, the population of Hynobius owariensis comprises a number of isolated populations, each too small to be realistically viable. Attempts to address this have included at least one case of specimens of Hynobius vandenburghi being introduced to a park in the city of Nagoya-shi. Sugawara et al. therefore recommend that a conservation plan specific to the needs of this species by drawn up as a matter of urgency.

 

(A) Live holotype of Hynobius owariensis (TMNH-AM-78), and the (B) larva, (C) banana-shaped egg sacs, and (D) type locality of the new species. Sugawara et al. (2022).

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Conraua kamancamarai: A new species of Slippery Frog from the Fouta Djallon Highlands of west-central Guinea.

The Fouta Djallon Highlands of west-central Guinea form a series of plateaus, deep valleys, and steep slope-faces covered by a mixture of tropical and sub-tropical forests and grasslands. The area receives some of the highest rainfall in West Africa, but also has a wide range of micro-climates, providing a highly diverse environment with a high number of endemic species, which is relatively understudied by scientists. The floral uniqueness of the region has long been recognised, and there have been many calls to protect areas of pristine forest being encroached upon by agriculture and Cattle ranching, but the faunal uniqueness of the area has been very little studied.

In a paper published in the journal Zoosystematics and Evolution on 19 January 2022, Karla Neira-Salamea of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Joseph Doumbia of ONG EnviSud Guinée, Annika Hillers of the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Laura Sandberger-Loua, also of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, N’Goran Kouamé of the Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Tropicale at the Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Christian Brede of Lübeck in Germany, Marvin Schäfer, again of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, David Blackburn of the Department of Natural History at the Florida Museum of Natural History, and Michael Barej and Mark-Oliver Rödel, once again of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, describe a new species of Slippery Frog from the Fouta Djallon Highlands of west-central Guinea.

 

Hörè Binti landscape, Fouta Djallon, Guinea. Neira-Salamea et al. (2022).

Slippery Frogs, Conraua spp., are endemic to Africa, with seven species currently recognised, one from East Africa, three from Central Africa, and three from West Africa. However, a recent phylogenetic study of one of these species, Conraua alleni, should in fact be considered to be a species cluster (group of morphologically identical but genetically distinct species, known as 'cryptic species') rather than a distinct species. With this in mind, Neira-Salamea et al. carried out morphological and genetic tests on a group of Slippery Frogs held in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, which were collected during an expedition to the Fouta Djallon in 2011, establishing that Frogs from Hörè Binti, Pita and Chute de Ditinn and Dalaba in the Fouta Djallon are all members of a new, previously undescribed species.

The new species is named Conraua kamancamarai, in honour of the late Kaman Camara, a long term field assistant and friend of the team, who began working with Mark-Oliver Rödel in 2002 on a survey to the Simandou Range that was organised by Conservation International, and worked with the team full time from 2007 until his death after a short illness in 2020, investigating the amphibians of the Nimba Mountains and other Guinean areas. Neira-Salamea et al. note that 'Kaman had outstanding skills in detecting and catching Frogs, and, more importantly, an unswerving positive attitude'. Kaman was born and lived in a remote village at the western foothills of the Simandou Range. He never received any formal education. Still, he repeatedly rejected other better paying job offers from mining companies, preferring instead to work with his frog team whenever it was possible.

 

Kaman Camara in June 2007 on Mount Nimba, Guinea. Inset figure taken on a Rapid Assessment to south-eastern Guinea, organised by Conservation International and Kaman’s first experience with frog work, from left to right: Mark-Oliver Rödel, Mohamed Alhassane Bangoura and Kaman Camara. Neira-Salamea et al. (2022).

Specimens of Conraua kamancamarai have a slightly dorsoventrally flattened, short and rounded body; the snout is rounded in dorsal and lateral view, the upper lip slightly projects forward. They range from 74.3 to 81.7 mm in length. Dorsal colouration ranges from uniform dark brown to predominantly brown with dark mottling or predominantly brown with dark spots. Ventral colour pattern of all specimens similar: whitish with distinct brown blotches, however, these blotches are lighter in the subadult specimens.

Colouration of life Conraua kamancamarai from the Fouta Djallon and surrounding region, Guinea, illustrating variation in colour pattern and skin texture. (a) From Dubreka, River Bindinbandan; (b) From Dalaba, Chute de Ditinn; (c) From Hörè Binti; (d) From Dubreka, River Bindinbandan; (e) From Dalaba, Chute de Ditinn; (f) From Télimélé, locality Kourakoto, river Didounpouriguè; Frogs in lower row in typical calling position, sitting in shallow water; specimens either not collected or not assignable to a voucher specimen, whereas the Frogs from Hörè Binti and Chute de Ditinn can be assigned to Conraua kamancamarai without doubt; the other Frogs may represent an undescribed Conraua species. Neira-Salamea et al. (2022).

Conraua kamancamarai occupies fast-flowing rocky streams with waterfalls within riverine forest in mountainous areas in the Fouta Djallon. Like other Frogs of the genus, Conraua kamancamarai is predominately nocturnal and aquatic. Despite their occurrence in fast flowing streams, adults show a preference for calmer river sections, where turbulent water is absent. Usually, Frogs are encountered at least partly submerged in shallow water, facing the riverbanks. When outside of the water, they remain within jumping distance to water. Disturbed Frogs seek shelter on the ground of pools, sometimes trying to burrow deeper into them and cover themselves with gravel or substrate. Mating has never been observed; however, single observations of clutches and jelly remnants of spawn indicate that oviposition sites are small puddles or depressions on the riverbanks near the spray water zone of cascades and waterfalls. Conraua Tadpoles usually were observed in silted calm ponds where up to 50 Tadpoles of about the same size have been encountered.

 

The type locality of Conraua kamancamarai near Konkouré Fetto, Fouta Djallon, Guinea. The Frogs live in clear, fast flowing streams, with riverine forest. Neira-Salamea et al. (2022).

The forest fragments where Conraua kamancamarai occurs are generally degraded by anthropogenic disturbance, particularly Peanut and Rice crops and Cattle grazing. The type locality is located between Konkouré and the largest city within the Fouta Djallon, Mamou, within a relatively short distance to the connection road and was surveyed on 20 June 2011. Along the national route one (N1), one of the largest roads connecting the East with the West of Guinea, houses are numerous, but already within a relatively short distance to the road, Human presence may be considerably scarcer. Slopes are either covered by an open, short, dry forest with signs of Cattle grazing and used for charcoal production or comparatively large fields for Peanuts or Rice crops. Only steep slopes surrounding rivers had sometimes larger trees and denser vegetation with higher humidity levels than the surroundings. The type locality is at a river within denser forest, with large boulders and some cascades, allowing for a diverse river site with fast and slow flowing parts and comparatively clear water. These forests are not protected and were in the past burned by the population as protest against government decisions in Conakry.

 

The surroundings of the type locality are heavily degraded by agriculture, Cattle grazing and charcoal production (inset figure). Neira-Salamea et al. (2022).

The classified forest (partly protected areas allowing forestry) of Hörè Binti is located within a mountainous area containing several freshwater sources. It was surveyed from 22–23 July 2010. Many fast-flowing streams with cascades have its source on the mountain. The habitat degradation due to anthropogenic alterations was dramatic and only very small forest fragments remained. The anthropogenic pressure consisted of cultivations/fields (mainly Peanut and Rice) and grazing Cattle. Only streams were surrounded by some remaining larger trees. The Ditinn/Dalaba site was within a small fragment of gallery forest with a stream, next to the waterfall of Ditinn. It was surveyed from 24–25 July 2010. Although there is a small village next to the forest, only minor anthropogenic alterations were detectable.

Because the full range of Conraua kamancamarai is unknown, Neira-Salamea et al. recoment that it be treated as 'Data Deficient' under the terms of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. However, they also note that if the known populations do represent the entire range of the species, then it should be considered to be Endangered.

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