Rediscovery of the Mount Nimba Reedfrog, Hyperolius nimbae LAURENT, 1958, in western Ivory Coast

The authors report the rediscovery of Hyperolius nimbae LAURENT, 1958, a reedfrog species known only from the lowlands of the eastern flanks of Mount Nimba, western Ivory Coast. The species was described in 1958 and last seen in 1963. Forty-seven years after that date small populations were rediscovered near four villages, Dagbonpleu, Danipleu, Kouan-Houle and Zeale, within the formerly known range. However, only a total of seven individuals were recorded. The habitats showed various degrees of degradation, ranging from swampy forest to rice fields within degraded forest and secondary growth. The strong anthropogenic impact, in particular agricultural activities, may be an imminent risk compromising the species' long-term survival. The authors recommend further intensive search for persisting populations and their monitoring to evaluate the factors threatening the survival of H. nimbae.