Cardioglossa liberiensis Barbour & Loveridge 1927 is a junior synonym of Phrynobatrachus fraterculus (Chabanaud 1921)

Abstract

In 1927, Barbour & Loveridge described two species of Cardioglossa based on seven specimens from Liberia: C. decorata (six specimens) and C. liberiensis. Cardioglossa decorata has long been recognized as a junior synonym of Phrynobatrachus fraterculus (Chabanaud 1921), which is known from Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d'Ivoire. Cardioglossa liberiensis Barbour & Loveridge 1927, known from only a single specimen, is also a junior synonym of P. fraterculus (Chabanaud 1921). Cardioglossa liberiensis represents the seemingly rare "maculiventris” colour phase of P. fraterculus that was first recognized by Guibé & Lamotte (1963). At present, only two species of Cardioglossa, C. aureoli and C. leucomystax, are known from west of Nigeria.