Hyperolius platyceps (Boulenger, 1900)

Figures 6R–S

Material. ANGOLA – Cabinda Province • Fazenda Mandarim; –5.0553, 12.0610; 14 m a.s.l.; P4.077; GenBank: PQ455793. • Caio Cacongo; –5.0618, 12.2588; 43 m a.s.l.; FKH 0977; GenBank: PQ455796. • Tando Zinze; –5.3241, 12.5073; 29 m a.s.l.; FKH 0582; GenBank: PQ455797. • Mayombe NP, Sanga Mongo; –4.6661, 12.4407; 146 m a.s.l.; FKH 0949, FKH 0956, FKH 0974; GenBank: PQ455798–00. • Mayombe NP, Sanga Wanda; –4.6270, 12.4527; 210 m a.s.l.; P3.519; GenBank: PQ455801. • Mayombe NP, Bata Lunhuca; –4.5981, 12.4597; 215 m a.s.l.; P4.095−96; GenBank: PQ455794–95. • Mayombe NP, Miconge; –4860, 12.8780; 377 m a.s.l.; P3.174; GenBank: PQ455802.

Identification. A medium-sized (SVL = 33−40 mm) reed frog with two very different morphotypes. They either have dark dorsal blotches against a light background forming an hourglass pattern with a transverse band on the lower back (Figure 6R), or a dark green to brown dorsum with two broad dorsolateral white bands from snout to anterior insertion of the hind limbs, and yellow underparts (Figure 6S). Specimens from Cabinda Province differ from material collected from Talangai, Republic of the Congo (GenBank: MK509613), Ndombam, Cameroon (GenBank: MK509701) and Iguéla, Gabon (GenBank: MK509680) by>3% (16S p -distance), and from unpublished material from the remainder of Angola by a minimum of 2.8% (16S p -distance) (Baptista 2024). The large genetic divergence may suggest some cryptic diversification. However, genetic material from the type locality is not available, therefore no taxonomic action can be taken at this point.

Biology and distribution. Widely distributed in West-Central Africa, from southern Cameroon to northern Angola (Channing and Rödel 2019). The species is reportedly associated with degraded forest and swampy forest areas (Channing and Rödel 2019), and in Cabinda Province it has been found in all four ecological zones considered, from sea level to around 400 m a.s.l., including primary moist forest and lowland degraded forest. Frequently found in syntopy with H. olivaceus .