Taxonomy

Originally described from just four specimens, the only morphological data is in the original description.
This species is presently classified as critically endangered and its conservation has greatest priority.
Any further studies should be non-invasive, non-destructive investigations on the type and few additional specimens obtained by Dr M Menegon, Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali, Trento, Italy.

A dwarf species
Largest female in type series (holotype) 21.6mm, largest male17.6mm snout-vent length.
Skin covered with fine spinules/granules over entire surface with small white tubercles/spines on sides of head and dorsal surfaces of the head, body, fore- and hind limbs.
Parotid glands long and very narrow; snout pointed, margins of snout well defined with a light line passing from the tip of the snout through the nostril and eye (dorsal margin of eye with silvery white patch) passing along the upper eyelid and continued as a narrow light line along either side of the body.
A white line along the margins of the upper lip; no tympanum (external ear drum).
Dorsal coloration dark brown - a leaf mimic, matching the colour and texture colour of the leaf litter on the forest floor.
A characteristic brown ‘smudge’ marking across the chest and a dark brown pelvic patch beset with distinctive white tubercles extending across the inner margins of the ventral surfaces of the thighs.
Undersides of the hands and feet also dark brown with white tubercles.
Throat and tips of fingers crimson red in life.
Webbing between toes greatly reduced, almost basal only.

(Clarke, 1988).

Evolution, genetics and lookalikes

Find out why the evolutionary background of Nectophrynoides wendyae needs to be readdressed and how it is distinguished from other Nectophryroides toads.