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Bayliss J, Bittencourt-Silva GB, Branch WR, Bruessow C, Collins S, Congdon TCE, Conradie W, Curran M, Daniels SR, Darbyshire I, Farooq H, Fishpool L, Grantham G, Magombo Z, Matimele H, Monadjem A, Monteiro J, Osborne J, Saunders J, Smith P, Spottiswoode CN, Taylor PJ, Timberlake J, Tolley KA, Tovela É, Platts PJ. A biogeographical appraisal of the threatened South East Africa Montane Archipelago ecoregion. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5971. [PMID: 38472297 PMCID: PMC10933300 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54671-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent biological surveys of ancient inselbergs in southern Malawi and northern Mozambique have led to the discovery and description of many species new to science, and overlapping centres of endemism across multiple taxa. Combining these endemic taxa with data on geology and climate, we propose the 'South East Africa Montane Archipelago' (SEAMA) as a distinct ecoregion of global biological importance. The ecoregion encompasses 30 granitic inselbergs reaching > 1000 m above sea level, hosting the largest (Mt Mabu) and smallest (Mt Lico) mid-elevation rainforests in southern Africa, as well as biologically unique montane grasslands. Endemic taxa include 127 plants, 45 vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and 45 invertebrate species (butterflies, freshwater crabs), and two endemic genera of plants and reptiles. Existing dated phylogenies of endemic animal lineages suggests this endemism arose from divergence events coinciding with repeated isolation of these mountains from the pan-African forests, together with the mountains' great age and relative climatic stability. Since 2000, the SEAMA has lost 18% of its primary humid forest cover (up to 43% in some sites)-one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa. Urgently rectifying this situation, while addressing the resource needs of local communities, is a global priority for biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Bayliss
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
- African Butterfly Research Institute, P.O. Box 14308, Nairobi, 0800, Kenya.
- Rede Para Gestão Comunitária de Recursos Naturais (ReGeCom), Maputo, Mozambique.
| | | | - William R Branch
- Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), P.O. Box 13147, Humewood, 6013, South Africa
| | - Carl Bruessow
- Mount Mulanje Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 139, Mulanje, Malawi
| | - Steve Collins
- African Butterfly Research Institute, P.O. Box 14308, Nairobi, 0800, Kenya
| | - T Colin E Congdon
- African Butterfly Research Institute, P.O. Box 14308, Nairobi, 0800, Kenya
| | - Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), P.O. Box 13147, Humewood, 6013, South Africa
- Department of Nature Conservation Management, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Michael Curran
- Department of Food System Science, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, P.O. Box 219, 5070, Frick, Switzerland
| | - Savel R Daniels
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | | | - Harith Farooq
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lúrio University, Pemba, Mozambique
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lincoln Fishpool
- BirdLife International, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Geoffrey Grantham
- Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Zacharia Magombo
- National Herbarium and Botanical Gardens of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Hermenegildo Matimele
- Herbarium, Instituto de Investigaçao Agraria de Moçambique, P.O.Box 3658, Maputo, Mozambique
- DICE, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NZ, UK
- Wildlife Conservation Society, 163 Orlando Mendes Street, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Ara Monadjem
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Eswatini, Kwaluseni, Eswatini
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Jose Monteiro
- Rede Para Gestão Comunitária de Recursos Naturais (ReGeCom), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Jo Osborne
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
| | - Justin Saunders
- Africa Bees Ltd, Belgrave House, 39-43 Monument Hill, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 8RN, UK
| | - Paul Smith
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3BW, UK
| | - Claire N Spottiswoode
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Peter J Taylor
- Biological Sciences Department, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
- Afromontane Research Unit and Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | | | - Krystal A Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Claremont, Private Bag X7, Cape Town, 7735, South Africa
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
| | - Érica Tovela
- Museu de História Natural, Praça Travessia do Zambeze, 104, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Philip J Platts
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5NG, UK
- BeZero Carbon Ltd, 25 Christopher Street, London, E2, UK
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Willems F, Channing A. The status of Tomopterna pulchra Boulenger, 1896 (Anura: Pyxicephalidae). Zootaxa 2023; 5374:361-389. [PMID: 38220855 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5374.3.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Tomopterna pulchra (Boulenger, 1896) was described from Lake Tanganyika based on a single specimen. It was synonymised with Tomopterna tuberculosa (Boulenger, 1882) by Loveridge (1957) who noted that it did not fully agree with the description of T. tuberculosa, especially in the difference in dorsal colouration. Genetic differences show that two species are confused, although their advertisement calls and morphology are similar, except for the presence of a pale vertebral stripe mostly in eastern populations. We consider the advertisement calls, morphology, and genetic differences, and remove Tomopterna pulchra (Boulenger, 1896) from the synonymy of Tomopterna tuberculosa. Divergence dating shows that these two species separated in the mid-Miocene. Tomopterna pulchra breeds in rocky habitats, whereas T. tuberculosa breeds in sandy areas, typical of the genus. Based on genetically confirmed specimens, presently T. tuberculosa is known in the west (Angola and Namibia) while T. pulchra is only known from the east (Zambia and Tanzania). The examination of specimens for the presence or absence of a vertebral stripe infers that these species are widespread. Further work is required to determine if the two species are sympatric, and the extent of their ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Willems
- Kigelia Solutions/Frank Willems Guiding and Ecology; Chisamba Park; PO Box 12; Fringilla; Zambia.
| | - Alan Channing
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management; North-West University; Potchefstroom 2520; South Africa.
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Conradie W, Schmitz A, Lobón-Rovira J, Becker FS, Vaz Pinto P, Hauptfleisch ML. Rock island melody remastered: two new species in the Afroedura bogerti Loveridge, 1944 group from Angola and Namibia. ZOOSYST EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.86299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Newly collected material from northern Namibia’s Otjihipa Mountains and west-central Angola allowed us to revisit the Afroedura bogerti Loveridge, 1944 group. The employment of additional gene markers, including nuclear markers, allowed us to identify two new species in the group and infer species boundaries and potential speciation events in Afroedura from southwestern Africa. The new Namibian material is recovered as a sister species to A. donveae, from which it differs mostly by the colour of the iris (copper versus black) and dorsal colouration. Material from the first elevational gradient of the escarpment in Benguela Province, Angola was found to be more closely related to A. bogerti than A. wulfhaackei. The differences between these two species are more subtle, although the new species exhibits higher mid-body scale rows (79.5 versus 74.8), different dorsal colouration and supranasal scales always in contact (versus 57% in contact).
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Channing A, Schmitz A, Zancolli G, Conradie W, Rödel MO. Phylogeny and taxonomy of the African frog genus Strongylopus (Anura: Pyxicephalidae). REV SUISSE ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.35929/rsz.0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Channing
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Andreas Schmitz
- Muséum d'histoire naturelle, UREC - Herpetology & Ichthyology, C.P. 6434, CH-1211 Genève 6, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Zancolli
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Lausanne, Quartier UNIL-Sorge Bâtiment Biophore, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), P.O. Box 13147, Humewood, Gqeberha 6013, South Africa
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde – Leibnitz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
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Santos Dias PH, Vera Candioti F, Sabbag AF, Colaço G, Silva HR, Haddad CFB, Carvalho‐e‐Silva AMPT, Grant T. Life on the edge: Tadpoles of Cycloramphidae (Amphibia; Anura), anatomy, systematics, functional morphology, and comments on the evolution of semiterrestrial tadpoles. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique Santos Dias
- Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
- Departamento de Zoologia Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Brazil
| | | | - Ariadne Fares Sabbag
- Departamento de Biodiversidade and CAUNESP Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Gustavo Colaço
- Departamento de Biologia Animal Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro Seropédia Brazil
| | - Hélio Ricardo Silva
- Departamento de Biologia Animal Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro Seropédia Brazil
| | - Célio F. Baptista Haddad
- Departamento de Biodiversidade and CAUNESP Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista Rio Claro Brazil
| | | | - Taran Grant
- Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
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Couvreur TL, Dauby G, Blach‐Overgaard A, Deblauwe V, Dessein S, Droissart V, Hardy OJ, Harris DJ, Janssens SB, Ley AC, Mackinder BA, Sonké B, Sosef MS, Stévart T, Svenning J, Wieringa JJ, Faye A, Missoup AD, Tolley KA, Nicolas V, Ntie S, Fluteau F, Robin C, Guillocheau F, Barboni D, Sepulchre P. Tectonics, climate and the diversification of the tropical African terrestrial flora and fauna. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:16-51. [PMID: 32924323 PMCID: PMC7821006 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tropical Africa is home to an astonishing biodiversity occurring in a variety of ecosystems. Past climatic change and geological events have impacted the evolution and diversification of this biodiversity. During the last two decades, around 90 dated molecular phylogenies of different clades across animals and plants have been published leading to an increased understanding of the diversification and speciation processes generating tropical African biodiversity. In parallel, extended geological and palaeoclimatic records together with detailed numerical simulations have refined our understanding of past geological and climatic changes in Africa. To date, these important advances have not been reviewed within a common framework. Here, we critically review and synthesize African climate, tectonics and terrestrial biodiversity evolution throughout the Cenozoic to the mid-Pleistocene, drawing on recent advances in Earth and life sciences. We first review six major geo-climatic periods defining tropical African biodiversity diversification by synthesizing 89 dated molecular phylogeny studies. Two major geo-climatic factors impacting the diversification of the sub-Saharan biota are highlighted. First, Africa underwent numerous climatic fluctuations at ancient and more recent timescales, with tectonic, greenhouse gas, and orbital forcing stimulating diversification. Second, increased aridification since the Late Eocene led to important extinction events, but also provided unique diversification opportunities shaping the current tropical African biodiversity landscape. We then review diversification studies of tropical terrestrial animal and plant clades and discuss three major models of speciation: (i) geographic speciation via vicariance (allopatry); (ii) ecological speciation impacted by climate and geological changes, and (iii) genomic speciation via genome duplication. Geographic speciation has been the most widely documented to date and is a common speciation model across tropical Africa. We conclude with four important challenges faced by tropical African biodiversity research: (i) to increase knowledge by gathering basic and fundamental biodiversity information; (ii) to improve modelling of African geophysical evolution throughout the Cenozoic via better constraints and downscaling approaches; (iii) to increase the precision of phylogenetic reconstruction and molecular dating of tropical African clades by using next generation sequencing approaches together with better fossil calibrations; (iv) finally, as done here, to integrate data better from Earth and life sciences by focusing on the interdisciplinary study of the evolution of tropical African biodiversity in a wider geodiversity context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilles Dauby
- AMAP Lab, IRD, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- Laboratoire d'évolution Biologique et Ecologie, Faculté des SciencesUniversité Libre de BruxellesCP160/12, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50Brussels1050Belgium
| | - Anne Blach‐Overgaard
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityNy Munkegade 114Aarhus CDK‐8000Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityNy Munkegade 114Aarhus CDK‐8000Denmark
| | - Vincent Deblauwe
- Center for Tropical Research (CTR), Institute of the Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)Los AngelesCA90095U.S.A.
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)YaoundéCameroon
| | | | - Vincent Droissart
- AMAP Lab, IRD, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- Laboratoire de Botanique Systématique et d'Écologie, École Normale SupérieureUniversité de Yaoundé IPO Box 047YaoundéCameroon
- Herbarium et Bibliothèque de Botanique AfricaineUniversité Libre de BruxellesBoulevard du TriompheBrusselsB‐1050Belgium
- Africa & Madagascar DepartmentMissouri Botanical GardenSt. LouisMOU.S.A.
| | - Oliver J. Hardy
- Laboratoire d'évolution Biologique et Ecologie, Faculté des SciencesUniversité Libre de BruxellesCP160/12, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50Brussels1050Belgium
| | - David J. Harris
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh20A Inverleith RowEdinburghU.K.
| | | | - Alexandra C. Ley
- Institut für Geobotanik und Botanischer GartenUniversity Halle‐WittenbergNeuwerk 21Halle06108Germany
| | | | - Bonaventure Sonké
- Laboratoire de Botanique Systématique et d'Écologie, École Normale SupérieureUniversité de Yaoundé IPO Box 047YaoundéCameroon
| | | | - Tariq Stévart
- Herbarium et Bibliothèque de Botanique AfricaineUniversité Libre de BruxellesBoulevard du TriompheBrusselsB‐1050Belgium
- Africa & Madagascar DepartmentMissouri Botanical GardenSt. LouisMOU.S.A.
| | - Jens‐Christian Svenning
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityNy Munkegade 114Aarhus CDK‐8000Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityNy Munkegade 114Aarhus CDK‐8000Denmark
| | - Jan J. Wieringa
- Naturalis Biodiversity CenterDarwinweg 2Leiden2333 CRThe Netherlands
| | - Adama Faye
- Laboratoire National de Recherches sur les Productions Végétales (LNRPV)Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA)Route des Hydrocarbures, Bel Air BP 1386‐ CP18524DakarSenegal
| | - Alain D. Missoup
- Zoology Unit, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Animal Organisms, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of DoualaPO Box 24157DoualaCameroon
| | - Krystal A. Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity InstituteKirstenbosch Research CentrePrivate Bag X7, ClaremontCape Town7735South Africa
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandPrivate Bag 3Wits2050South Africa
| | - Violaine Nicolas
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHEUniversité des AntillesCP51, 57 rue CuvierParis75005France
| | - Stéphan Ntie
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des SciencesUniversité des Sciences et Techniques de MasukuFrancevilleBP 941Gabon
| | - Frédiéric Fluteau
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRSUniversité de ParisParisF‐75005France
| | - Cécile Robin
- CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR6118University of RennesRennes35042France
| | | | - Doris Barboni
- CEREGE, Aix‐Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, Collège de France, INRA, Technopole Arbois MéditerranéeBP80Aix‐en‐Provence cedex413545France
| | - Pierre Sepulchre
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL, CEA‐CNRS‐UVSQUniversité Paris‐SaclayGif‐sur‐YvetteF‐91191France
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7
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Branch WR, Schmitz A, Lobón-Rovira J, Baptista NL, António T, Conradie W. Rock island melody: A revision of the Afroedura bogerti Loveridge, 1944 group, with descriptions of four new endemic species from Angola. ZOOSYST EVOL 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.97.57202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Four new species of flat geckos in the Afroedura bogerti Loveridge, 1944 group are described from south-western and west-central Angola. The description of these new species significantly restricts the distribution range of typical A. bogerti, a morphologically very similar species, from which they differ genetically by 5.9–12% divergence for the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Morphologically and genetically, Angolan Afroedura are divided into two main groups: a mostly south-western coastal group and a west-central inland/highland group. These two groups are further divisible into three and two subgroups respectively, all geographically isolated, differing by a combination of the following features: colouration, average adult size, number of mid-body scale rows, number of scale rows on dorsal and ventral surface of each tail verticil and if nostril scales are in contact or not. All five Angolan species are morphologically distinguishable and in agreement with the molecular results. An updated dichotomous key to the Afroedura transvaalica group is provided. The new discovery adds to a growing number of endemic Pro-Namib reptiles described from Angola in recent years.
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Farooq H, Azevedo JAR, Soares A, Antonelli A, Faurby S. Mapping Africa's Biodiversity: More of the Same Is Just Not Good Enough. Syst Biol 2020; 70:623-633. [PMID: 33306123 PMCID: PMC8048386 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Species distribution data are fundamental to the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes. Yet, such data are strongly affected by sampling biases, mostly related to site accessibility. The understanding of these biases is therefore crucial in systematics, biogeography, and conservation. Here we present a novel approach for quantifying sampling effort and its impact on biodiversity knowledge, focusing on Africa. In contrast to previous studies assessing sampling completeness (percentage of species recorded in relation to predicted), we investigate whether the lack of knowledge of a site attracts scientists to visit these areas and collect samples of species. We then estimate the time required to sample 90% of the continent under a Weibull distributed biodiversity sampling rate and the number of sampling events required to record $ \ge $50% of the species. Using linear and spatial regression models, we show that previous sampling has been strongly influencing the resampling of areas, attracting repeated visits. This bias has existed for over two centuries, has increased in recent decades, and is most pronounced among mammals. It may take between 172 and 274 years, depending on the group, to achieve at least one sampling event per grid cell in the entire continent. Just one visit will, however, not be enough: in order to record $ \ge $50% of the current diversity, it will require at least 12 sampling events for amphibians, 13 for mammals, and 27 for birds. Our results demonstrate the importance of sampling areas that lack primary biodiversity data and the urgency with which this needs to be done. Current practice is insufficient to adequately classify and map African biodiversity; it can lead to incorrect conclusions being drawn from biogeographic analyses and can result in misleading and self-reinforcing conservation priorities. [Amphibians; birds; mammals; sampling bias; sampling gaps; Wallacean shortfall.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Harith Farooq
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden1.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.,Departamento de Biologia e CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.,Faculty of Natural Sciences at Lúrio University, Campus universitário da Universidade Lúrio, Bairro Eduardo Mondlane, 3200, Pemba, Cabo Delgado, Moçambique
| | - Josué A R Azevedo
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden1.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.,Coordenação de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Caixa Postal 2223, CEP 69008-971, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Amadeu Soares
- Departamento de Biologia e CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Antonelli
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden1.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.,Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, U.K
| | - Søren Faurby
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden1.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Conradie W, Keates C, Lobón-Rovira J, Pinto PV, Verburgt L, Baptista NL, Harvey J, Júlio T. New insights into the taxonomic status, distribution and natural history of De Witte’s Clicking Frog (Kassinula wittei Laurent, 1940). AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1821771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth Museum, Humewood, South Africa
- School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
- National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, Wild Bird Trust, South Africa
| | - Chad Keates
- National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, Wild Bird Trust, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Javier Lobón-Rovira
- CIBIO/InBio Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Vaz Pinto
- CIBIO/InBio Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Fundação Kissama, Luanda, Angola
- Instituto Superior de Ciências da Educação da Huíla, Lubango, Angola
| | - Luke Verburgt
- National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, Wild Bird Trust, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ninda L Baptista
- National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, Wild Bird Trust, South Africa
- CIBIO/InBio Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Superior de Ciências da Educação da Huíla, Lubango, Angola
| | | | - Timóteo Júlio
- National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, Wild Bird Trust, South Africa
- Fundação Kissama, Luanda, Angola
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10
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Kushata JNT, Conradie W, Cherry MI, Daniels SR. Comparison of the mitochondrial phylogeographical structure of a generalist and two specialist frog species reveals contrasting patterns in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn this study, we examined the phylogeographical structure of three frog species (Anhydrophryne rattrayi, Arthroleptis wageri and Cacosternum nanum) in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. The first two species are forest dwelling and exhibit direct development, whereas the last species is a habitat generalist, breeding in open freshwater bodies and exhibiting rapid metamorphosis. Evolutionary relationships were inferred using combined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data [16S rRNA and cytochrome b (Cytb)]. Divergence times were estimated for each species using the combined mtDNA dataset, and population genetic structuring was inferred using haplotype networks and analysis of molecular variance using the rapidly evolving Cytb locus. The two forest-dwelling species (Anhydrophryne rattrayi and Arthroleptis wageri) each revealed two statistically well-supported clades and were characterized by marked genetic differentiation and the general absence of shared maternal haplotypes, indicating no maternal gene flow between conspecific populations; a result corroborated by moderate values of pairwise genetic distance. In contrast, for the generalist species C. nanum, two shallow clades were observed and several haplotypes were shared between localities, indicating moderate maternal gene flow. Diversification in the two forest-dwelling species occurred during the Plio-Pleistocene climatic oscillations and was associated with increased xeric conditions, whereas in C. nanum a recent, Holocene divergence was inferred. Ancient climatic factors thought to be causal in the divergences within each of the three species are discussed. The marked mtDNA differentiation in the two forest specialist species suggests the presence of distinct management units that should be considered in future conservation management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith N T Kushata
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth (Bayworld) Museum, Humewood, South Africa
- School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Michael I Cherry
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Savel R Daniels
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa
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11
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Cai YY, Shen SQ, Lu LX, Storey KB, Yu DN, Zhang JY. The complete mitochondrial genome of Pyxicephalus adspersus: high gene rearrangement and phylogenetics of one of the world's largest frogs. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7532. [PMID: 31497398 PMCID: PMC6709665 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The family Pyxicephalidae including two subfamilies (Cacosterninae and Pyxicephalinae) is an ecologically important group of frogs distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. However, its phylogenetic position among the Anura has remained uncertain. The present study determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Pyxicephalus adspersus, the first representative mitochondrial genome from the Pyxicephalinae, and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships within Ranoidae using 10 mitochondrial protein-coding genes of 59 frog species. The P. adspersus mitochondrial genome showed major gene rearrangement and an exceptionally long length that is not shared with other Ranoidae species. The genome is 24,317 bp in length, and contains 15 protein-coding genes (including extra COX3 and Cyt b genes), four rRNA genes (including extra 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes), 29 tRNA genes (including extra tRNALeu (UAG), tRNALeu (UUR), tRNAThr , tRNAPro , tRNAPhe , tRNAVal , tRNAGln genes) and two control regions (CRs). The Dimer-Mitogenome and Tandem duplication and random loss models were used to explain these gene arrangements. Finally, both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses supported the conclusion that Pyxicephalidae was monophyletic and that Pyxicephalidae was the sister clade of (Petropedetidae + Ptychadenidae).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Yin Cai
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shi-Qi Shen
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li-Xu Lu
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | | | - Dan-Na Yu
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
- Key Lab of Wildlife Biotechnology, Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia-Yong Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
- Key Lab of Wildlife Biotechnology, Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
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12
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Rebelo AD, Measey J. Locomotor performance constrained by morphology and habitat in a diverse clade of African frogs (Anura: Pyxicephalidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Rebelo
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
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13
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Jongsma GF, Barej MF, Barratt CD, Burger M, Conradie W, Ernst R, Greenbaum E, Hirschfeld M, Leaché AD, Penner J, Portik DM, Zassi-Boulou AG, Rödel MO, Blackburn DC. Diversity and biogeography of frogs in the genus Amnirana (Anura: Ranidae) across sub-Saharan Africa. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2018; 120:274-285. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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14
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Conradie W, Bittencourt-Silva GB, Farooq HM, Loader SP, Menegon M, Tolley KA. New species of Mongrel Frogs (Pyxicephalidae: Nothophryne) for northern Mozambique inselbergs. AFR J HERPETOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2017.1376714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), Marine Drive, Humewood 6013, South Africa
- School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6530, South Africa
| | | | - Harith M. Farooq
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lúrio University, Pemba, 958, Mozambique
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Simon P. Loader
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW5 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Menegon
- Tropical Biodiversity Section, Museo delle Scienze, Viale del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Krystal A. Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7 Newlands 7700, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa
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15
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Impact of species delimitation and sampling on niche models and phylogeographical inference: A case study of the East African reed frog Hyperolius substriatus Ahl, 1931. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2017; 114:261-270. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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16
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Turner A, Channing A. Three new species of Arthroleptella Hewitt, 1926 (Anura: Pyxicephalidae) from the Cape Fold Mountains, South Africa. AFR J HERPETOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2017.1324918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Turner
- Scientific Services, CapeNature, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Alan Channing
- University of the Western Cape, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa
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17
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Conradie W, Bittencourt-Silva G, Engelbrecht HM, Loader SP, Menegon M, Nanvonamuquitxo C, Scott M, Tolley KA. Exploration into the hidden world of Mozambique’s sky island forests: new discoveries of reptiles and amphibians. ZOOSYST EVOL 2016. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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