Astylosternus occidentalis Parker, 1931

Western Night Frog

Material: Two males, NGK-Nimba 0014, NGK-Nimba 0023, and one female, NGK-Nimba 0024 (Fig. 6C).

Comments: While A. occidentalis was previously mostly recorded in patches of lowland forests (Rödel and Branch 2002; Rödel and Bangoura 2002; Ernst and Rödel 2006; Hillers and Rödel 2007; Hillers et al. 2008b; Rödel and Glos 2019), on Mounts Nimba the species occurs in altitudinal forest habitats as well (Guibé and Lamotte 1958a). During the night several active individuals were detected among leaf litter in a patch of forest (07°35.233’N, 008°25.190’W; 847 m asl), close to fast-flowing streams. Male SULs ranged from 45.0‒ 50.2 mm (N = 3), while females measured from 46.0‒61.0 mm (N = 9). The majority of specimens had a dark brown dorsum, although one female exhibited an orange color. In contrast to the general forest habitat requirements of this species we found some, presumably migrating, frogs at night, in the core rainy season near a crystal-clear stream in predominantly grassy savannah (07°35.453’N, 008°24.957’W; 843 m asl). During the day, they were hidden underneath stones.