Arlequinus krebsi (Mertens 1938)

A small (26–29 mm) forest frog with a square pupil from Cameroun. The males have a transverse gular flap, yellowish in colour and situated posteriorly on the throat. No dilatable skin. Two conical warts above the eyes. Dorsum with tubercles. Tarsus in males with spines. Tympanum invisible or very small. Dorsum dark brown with an X-shaped pattern in light grey, with white delimitation in the shoulder region and a +-shaped pattern in the lumbar region. A broad light band between the eyes. This pattern is unique among the Hyperoliidae. Limbs with large spots. Ventrum white.Arlequinus krebsi is probably mute.This account was taken from "Treefrogs of Africa" by Arne Schiøtz with kind permission from Edition Chimaira (http://www.chimaira.de/) publishers, Frankfurt am Main.

Found near stagnant water in forest. Only known from a few forest localities in Cameroun.

Development. – The eggs are placed above small pools with stagnantor slowly flowing water in dense forest. An eggmass found attached to a leaf above the water contained 16 larvae in a transparent jelly. Even at this early stage they have the dark pattern characteristic of older tadpoles. The tadpoles become rather large, up to 44 mm. They have a strong body, large eyes and a tail with a well-developed fin. The pigmentation is very dark, almost black, with a pair of irregular lines from the eyes converging towards the base of the tail and continuing as a light dorsal upper surface of the tail and fin. Tadpoles show indications of the adult pattern prior to metamorphosis. Tooth formula 1/3.

Arlequinus is a genus of frogs in the family Hyperoliidae endemic to the Western High Plateau and Mount Cameroon, Cameroon. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Arlequinus krebsi, commonly known as the Mebebque frog. Its natural habitats are dense tropical forest; it is threatened by habitat loss caused by wood cutting, agriculture, and human settlement.

Arlequinus krebsi lay their eggs above small pools with stagnant or slowly flowing water; tadpoles develop in these pools. This species is presumed to be mute, making the adults difficult to find.