Tuntumate

Tuntumate is a small amphibian species that belongs to the family Ranidae and is endemic to the wetland ecosystems of West Africa. Its scientific name, *Tuntumata pygmaea*, reflects its diminutive size, which typically ranges from 30 to 40 millimetres in snout‑to‑vent length. The species is characterized by a rounded snout, elongated limbs, and a smooth dorsal surface that varies from pale olive to a darker greenish hue. Notably, the skin contains fine pale spots that provide camouflage against the muddy substrates of its habitat.

The Tuntumate occupies a range of freshwater environments including swamps, marshes, and slow‑moving streams, where it feeds primarily on insects, larvae, and small arthropods. It exhibits semi‑aquatic behavior, spending most of its time in vegetated water margins and emerging during dawn and dusk to forage. During the breeding season, males produce a low, trilling call that can be heard across the water’s surface. Females fertilize eggs externally and deposit clutches in shallow depressions lined with plant material; tadpoles are fully aquatic and undergo metamorphosis within four to six weeks.

Conservation assessments classify the Tuntumate as “Least Concern” due to its relatively broad distribution and lack of major identified threats. However, habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and pollution remains a potential risk factor. Ongoing monitoring of population trends and habitat integrity is recommended to ensure long‑term viability of the species.