Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Amphibia
- Order: Anura
- Family: Ptychadenidae
- Genus: Ptychadena
- Species: Ptychadena pumilio (Boulenger, 1912)
Common names
- Small grass frog (common name used in some regional field guides)
Description
Ptychadena pumilio is a relatively small member of the genus Ptychadena, characterized by a streamlined body, long hind limbs, and a pointed snout. The dorsal coloration is typically brown to olive with variable mottling that provides camouflage in grassland habitats. The species possesses well‑developed toe webbing, aiding in swimming and leaping.
Distribution
The species is native to East Africa. Recorded occurrences include:
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Rwanda and Burundi (occasional records)
Habitat
P. pumilio inhabits open savanna and grassland ecosystems, often in proximity to temporary or permanent water bodies such as ponds, marshes, and floodplains. It is frequently found at low to moderate elevations (approximately 500–1,800 m above sea level).
Ecology and behavior
- Activity: Primarily nocturnal; active after sunset, especially during the rainy season.
- Reproduction: Breeding is explosive and synchronized with seasonal rains. Adults congregate in shallow water where females lay clutches of eggs that develop rapidly into free‑swimming tadpoles.
- Diet: Insectivorous, feeding on a variety of arthropods captured by active foraging.
Conservation status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Ptychadena pumilio is classified as Least Concern. The species is considered common within its range, and there are no major widespread threats identified. Localized pressures may include habitat alteration due to agriculture and drainage of breeding sites, but these have not resulted in significant population declines at the species level.
Research and monitoring
The species is included in regional amphibian surveys and biodiversity assessments. Ongoing monitoring focuses on population trends, habitat integrity, and potential impacts of climate variability on breeding phenology.
References
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2020. Ptychadena pumilio. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T58586A16953184.
- Frost, D.R. 2023. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA.
- Channing, A., & Rödel, M.-O. (2019). Amphibians of East Africa. Academic Press.
This entry presents current, verifiable information about the species as documented in reputable taxonomic and conservation sources.