Hyperolius hutsebauti

Hyperolius hutsebauti is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found widely in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and has recently been recorded in Burundi. The specific name hutsebauti honours Franz Joseph Hutsebaut, a Catholic missionary in what was then Belgian Congo. Common names Ibembo reed frog and Hutsebaut's reed frog have been coined for it.

Taxonomy and systematics

Hyperolius hutsebauti was first described as a subspecies of Hyperolius tuberculatus. It is now recognized as a distinct species within the so-called Hyperolius tuberculatus complex, which includes Hyperolius dintelmanni as the third species.

Description

Males grow to and females to in snout–vent length. Hyperolius hutsebauti is similar to Hyperolius tuberculatus but phase F has diffuse darker marbling on a light ground colour. The pupil is horizontal.

Habitat and conservation

Hyperolius hutsebauti occurs in savanna and degraded forests as well as at the edges of villages in modified haitats at elevations of above sea level. It is a widespread and locally abundant species that is unlikely to be facing significant threats.