Xenopus boumbaensis

Xenopus boumbaensis

Mawa clawed frog

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SPECIES
Xenopus boumbaensis

Xenopus boumbaensis, the Mawa clawed frog, is a species of frog in the family Pipidae. It is known from a few localities in central and south-eastern Cameroon, and from north-western Republic of Congo and extreme south-western Central African Republic; it probably occurs more widely in the central African forest belt, but identification is difficult: it is one of the cryptic species that resemble Xenopus fraseri, from which it can be distinguished by chromosome number (2n=72) and a male advertisement call of a single note.

Animal name origin

The specific name boumbaensis refers to the type locality (Mawa) that is within the Boumba River drainage.

Appearance

Adult males can grow to 37 mm (1.5 in) and females to 53 mm (2.1 in) in snout–vent length. All Xenopus are characterized by a streamlined and flattened body, a vocal organ specialized for underwater sound production, lateral-line organs, claws on the innermost three toes, and fully webbed toes. The coloration is green with numerous spots posteriorly and on the hind limbs. The venter can be immaculate white but is often heavily spotted.

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Xenopus boumbaensis is an octoploid species (2n=72).

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Geography

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References

1. Xenopus boumbaensis Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenopus_boumbaensis
2. Xenopus boumbaensis on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/58171/177346384

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