A new giant species of Arthroleptis (Amphibia: Anura) from the forests of the Nguru Mountains, Tanzania

Specimens of Arthroleptis attaining a body length of nearly 58 mm have been collected above 1790 m a.s.l. on the Nguru Mountains, part of the Eastern Arc mountain chain of Tanzania. In body size this material slightly surpasses the other giant Eastern Are high-altitude species A. tanneri and A. nikeae, and differs in the proportions of the foot, and patterning of the chin. The Nguru material is referred to a new species which qualifies as being critically endangered on account of its apparently limited geographical range. A clade including the three giant Arthroleptis species seems likely, showing parallels with several other isolated forest-dwelling Eastern Arc high-altitude anurans.