Arthroleptis affinis

A small frog with a broad head and long legs. The dorsum is light brown, and typically lacks the hourglass pattern common in many other Arthroleptis species. A dark black mark curves from the eye to the arm over the tympanum and may appear like a mask in some individuals. The lower lip is barred and the undersides of the feet are dark black. The belly is yellowish near the groin and the undersides of the legs are reddish orange. The tips of the toes are slightly expanded and have a groove along the edge. Males in breeding condition have serrations on the second and third fingers. There is some variation in morphology among individuals from the northern to the southern part of the range (Text from Harper et al., 2010).

This is a very common species that can be found in the leaf-litter of montane and submontane forests, as well as grasslands and a range of degraded habitat types, from 850 – 2050 m (Text from Harper et al., 2010).

The legs of A. affinis are long (tibia greater than ½ SVL) in contrast to many other Arthroleptis species. In addition, adult female A. affinis are smaller than A. nikeae, which reach 54 – 56 mm in snout-vent length (Harper et al., 2010).

Eggs are laid in moist soil or leaves and develop directly into small frogs without passing through a free-swimming tadpole stage (Text from Harper et al., 2010).

Males are 33 – 45 mm in snout-vent length, and females are 35 – 40 mm (Harper et al., 2010).