Revalidation of Phrynobatrachus maculiventris Guibé & Lamotte, 1958 and description of its aposematic coloured tadpole

Abstract

Phrynobatrachus maculiventris Guibé & Lamotte, 1958 is a valid species. Herein we clarify its taxonomic status, re‐describe it, and provide the first description of its tadpole. The tadpoles’ specific identity was assessed through DNA barcoding. Phrynobatrachus maculiventris adults differ from all other West African Phrynobatrachus species by a combination of smooth dorsal skin and a peculiar ventral colouration. The analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA revealed that P. maculiventris differs from other West African species of the genus by at least 4.7 % genetic differences. Their tadpoles are unmistakable due to their aposematic black and yellow colour pattern. Cardioglossa liberiensis Barbour & Loveridge, 1927 is a synonym of P. maculiventris. Phrynobatrachus maculiventris has priority over C. liberiensis as the genus Phrynobatrachus has a species named P. liberiensis Barbour & Loveridge, 1927, that was described earlier than C. liberiensis.