Genetic and acoustic characteristics of African Reed Frogs (genus Hyperolius) in the Kaffa area, south-western Ethiopia

Abstract

The taxonomy and distribution of African Reed Frogs (genus Hyperolius) in sub-Saharan Africa remain subjects of ongoing debate. Currently, only four species have been reported from Ethiopia, and this genus remains one of the least studied in the country. The aim of this study was to characterise Hyperolius species in the Kaffa area of south-western Ethiopia using molecular and acoustic data. We conducted opportunistic and standardised visual encounter surveys, together with acoustic surveys. Species were identified using morphology and call characteristics and were validated through genetic barcoding based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences. Three Hyperolius species were identified in the study area: Hyperolius kivuensis, H. howelli, and H. viridiflavus. The uncorrected p-distances showed that intraspecific genetic distance was < 0.01 for each of the three species. Call analyses revealed significant differences among the three species in peak frequency and delta time. Despite growing interest in Ethiopian batrachofauna, more than 75 species in Ethiopia still lack formal call descriptions and genetic comparisons. This study helps fill this knowledge gap and improves our taxonomic understanding of Ethiopian anuran diversity.