1
|
Neira-Salamea K, Doumbia J, Hillers A, Sandberger-Loua L, Kouamé NG, Brede C, Schäfer M, Blackburn DC, Barej MF, Rödel MO. A new slippery frog (Amphibia, Conrauidae, Conraua Nieden, 1908) from the Fouta Djallon Highlands, west-central Guinea. ZOOSYST EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.76692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a new species of the genus Conraua from the Fouta Djallon Highlands in Guinea. The species is recognised as distinct from nominotypical C. alleni, based on morphological evidence and is supported by a recent species delimitation analysis, based on DNA sequence data. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: medium body size, robust limbs, only one instead of two palmar tubercles, the first finger webbed to below the first subarticular tubercle, presence of a lateral line system, indistinct tympanum, two subarticular tubercles on fingers III and IV, venter in adults white with dark brown spots or dark brown with grey or whitish spots. The new species differs from all congeners by more than 6% in the DNA sequence of mitochondrial ribosomal 16S. We discuss isolation in Pliocene and Pleistocene forest refugia as a potential driver of speciation in the C. alleni complex. We also emphasise the importance of conserving the remaining forest fragments in the Fouta Djallon Region for the preservation of both its unique biodiversity and its valuable water sources for local people.
Collapse
|
2
|
Neira-Salamea K, Ofori-Boateng C, Kouam NG, Blackburn DC, Segniagbeto GH, Hillers A, Barej MF, Leach AD, Rödel MO. A new critically endangered slippery frog (Amphibia, Conrauidae, Conraua) from the Atewa Range, central Ghana. Zootaxa 2021; 4995:71-95. [PMID: 34186816 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4995.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Forty-nine years after the last description of a slippery frog, we describe a seventh species of the genus Conraua. The new Conraua is endemic to the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, central Ghana, and is described based on genetic, bioacoustics, and morphological evidence. Recent molecular phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses support this population as distinct from nominotypical C. derooi in eastern Ghana and adjacent Togo. The new species is sister to C. derooi, from which it differs ~4% in the DNA sequence for mitochondrial ribosomal 16S. Genetic divergences in 16S to other species of Conraua range from 412%. The new species is distinguished morphologically from its congeners, including C. derooi, by the combination of the following characters: medium body size, robust limbs, lateral dermal fringing along edges of fingers, cream ventral color with brown mottling, the presence of a lateral line system, indistinct tympanum, the presence of inner, outer, and middle palmar tubercles, and two subarticular tubercles on fingers III and IV. We compare the advertisement calls of the new species with the calls from C. derooi and find that they differ by duration, frequency modulation, and dominant frequency. We discuss two potential drivers of speciation between C. derooi and the new species, including river barriers and fragmentation of previously more widespread forests in West Africa. Finally, we highlight the importance of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve as a critical conservation area within the Upper Guinean biodiversity hotspot.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karla Neira-Salamea
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, German .
| | - Caleb Ofori-Boateng
- CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, P. O. Box 63, Fumesua, Kumasi, Ghana. EDGE of Existence Programme, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK..
| | - N'goran G Kouam
- Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, UFR Environnement, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Tropicale, Daloa, BP 150, Côte d´Ivoire.
| | - David C Blackburn
- Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA .
| | - Gabriel H Segniagbeto
- Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lomé, BP 6057 Lomé, Togo .
| | - Annika Hillers
- Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), Liberia Office, FDA Compound, Whein Town, Mount Barclay, Montserrado County, Liberia .
| | - Michael F Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, German.
| | - Adam D Leach
- Department of Biology Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA .
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, German.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Blackburn DC, Nielsen SV, Barej MF, Doumbia J, Hirschfeld M, Kouamé NG, Lawson D, Loader S, Ofori‐Boateng C, Stanley EL, Rödel M. Evolution of the African slippery frogs (Anura:
Conraua
), including the world’s largest living frog. ZOOL SCR 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David C. Blackburn
- Department of Natural History Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Stuart V. Nielsen
- Department of Natural History Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Marquette University Milwaukee WI USA
| | - Michael F. Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde ‐ Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
| | | | - Mareike Hirschfeld
- Museum für Naturkunde ‐ Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
| | | | - Dwight Lawson
- Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden Oklahoma City OK USA
| | | | | | - Edward L. Stanley
- Department of Natural History Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Mark‐Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde ‐ Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Emmrich M, Vences M, Ernst R, Köhler J, Barej MF, Glaw F, Jansen M, Rödel MO. A guild classification system proposed for anuran advertisement calls. ZOOSYST EVOL 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.38770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoologists have widely acknowledged the utility of classification systems for characterising variation in anuran egg and clutch types, tadpole morphotypes, embryonic and tadpole development, amplexus types and reproductive modes. These classification systems have facilitated unambiguous communication between researchers, often working in completely different fields (e.g. taxonomy, ecology, behaviour), as well as comparisons among studies. A syntactic system, classifying anuran call guilds, is so far lacking. Based on examination of the calls of 1253 anuran species we present a simple, easy to use dichotomous key and guild system for classifying anuran advertisement calls – the call type most frequently emitted by anurans and studied by researchers. The use of only three call elements, namely clearly-defined calls, notes, and pulses, plus presence or absence of frequency modulation, allows assigning all currently known anuran advertisement calls to one of eight distinct call guilds defined here. This novel toolkit will facilitate comparative studies across the many thousand anuran species, and may help to unravel drivers of anuran call evolution, and to identify ecological patterns at the level of acoustic communities.
Collapse
|
5
|
Portillo F, Stanley EL, Branch WR, Conradie W, Rödel MO, Penner J, Barej MF, Kusamba C, Muninga WM, Aristote MM, Bauer AM, Trape JF, Nagy ZT, Carlino P, Pauwels OSG, Menegon M, Ineich I, Burger M, Zassi-Boulou AG, Mazuch T, Jackson K, Hughes DF, Behangana M, Greenbaum E. Evolutionary history of burrowing asps (Lamprophiidae: Atractaspidinae) with emphasis on fang evolution and prey selection. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214889. [PMID: 30995262 PMCID: PMC6469773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Atractaspidines are poorly studied, fossorial snakes that are found throughout Africa and western Asia, including the Middle East. We employed concatenated gene-tree analyses and divergence dating approaches to investigate evolutionary relationships and biogeographic patterns of atractaspidines with a multi-locus data set consisting of three mitochondrial (16S, cyt b, and ND4) and two nuclear genes (c-mos and RAG1). We sampled 91 individuals from both atractaspidine genera (Atractaspis and Homoroselaps). Additionally, we used ancestral-state reconstructions to investigate fang and diet evolution within Atractaspidinae and its sister lineage (Aparallactinae). Our results indicated that current classification of atractaspidines underestimates diversity within the group. Diversification occurred predominantly between the Miocene and Pliocene. Ancestral-state reconstructions suggest that snake dentition in these taxa might be highly plastic within relatively short periods of time to facilitate adaptations to dynamic foraging and life-history strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Portillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Edward L. Stanley
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - William R. Branch
- Port Elizabeth Museum, Humewood, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth Museum, Humewood, South Africa
- School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Penner
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael F. Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Laboratoire d’Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Wandege M. Muninga
- Laboratoire d’Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Mwenebatu M. Aristote
- Institut Supérieur d'Écologie pour la Conservation de la Nature, Katana Campus, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Aaron M. Bauer
- Department of Biology, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jean-François Trape
- Laboratoire de Paludologie et Zoologie Médicale, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Piero Carlino
- Museo di Storia naturale del Salento, Calimera, Italy
| | - Olivier S. G. Pauwels
- Département des Vertébrés Récents, Institut Royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michele Menegon
- Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology, School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan Ineich
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, Département Systématique et Evolution (Reptiles), ISyEB (Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité), Paris, France
| | - Marius Burger
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Flora Fauna & Man, Ecological Services Ltd. Tortola, British Virgin Islands
| | | | | | - Kate Jackson
- Department of Biology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, United States of America
| | - Daniel F. Hughes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mathias Behangana
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Griesbaum F, Hirschfeld M, Barej MF, Schmitz A, Rohrmoser M, Dahmen M, Mühlberger F, Liedtke HC, Gonwouo NL, Doumbia J, Rödel MO. Tadpoles of three western African frog genera: Astylosternus Werner, 1898, Nyctibates Boulenger, 1904, and Scotobleps Boulenger, 1900 (Amphibia, Anura, Arthroleptidae). ZOOSYST EVOL 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.95.32793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein, we describe the tadpoles of six Astylosternus species, A.fallax, A.cf.fallax, A.laurenti, A.montanus, A.perreti, A.ranoides, and Scotoblepsgabonicus, and redescribe the tadpoles of A.batesi, A.diadematus, A.laticephalus, A.occidentalis, A.rheophilus, and Nyctibatescorrugatus. All Astylosternus tadpoles are adapted to torrent currents and share a long, oval body, slightly flattened in lateral view, with very long muscular tails with narrow fins. The jaws are massive, serrated, and often show a tooth-like medial projection (fang) in the upper jaw. Body proportions of Astylosternus tadpoles are extremely similar. The best characters to distinguish species might be life coloration and potentially the shape of labial papillae. The tadpole of Scotoblepsgabonicus is similar to Astylosternus and differs only slightly by a narrower body with a shorter and rounder head. The upper jaw of Scotobleps carries two or three lateral fangs instead of one medial one. The tadpole of Nyctibatescorrugatus is easily distinguishable from the other two genera on the basis of their very long, eel-shaped body and tail and the bluish-black color.
Collapse
|
7
|
Portillo F, Branch WR, Conradie W, Rödel MO, Penner J, Barej MF, Kusamba C, Muninga WM, Aristote MM, Bauer AM, Trape JF, Nagy ZT, Carlino P, Pauwels OS, Menegon M, Burger M, Mazuch T, Jackson K, Hughes DF, Behangana M, Zassi-Boulou AG, Greenbaum E. Phylogeny and biogeography of the African burrowing snake subfamily Aparallactinae (Squamata: Lamprophiidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2018; 127:288-303. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
8
|
Kpan TF, KouamÉ NG, Barej MF, Adeba PJ, Emmrich M, Ofori-Boateng C, RÖdel MO. A new Puddle Frog, genus Phrynobatrachus (Amphibia: Anura: Phrynobatrachidae), from the eastern part of the Upper Guinea biodiversity hotspot, West Africa. Zootaxa 2018; 4388:221-237. [PMID: 29690454 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4388.2.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
We describe a new species of Phrynobatrachus from swamp forests in the southern border region of Ivory Coast and Ghana. The new species differs from all other known West African Phrynobatrachus by the combination of adult snout-vent-length being between 20 and 30 mm; absence of a spiny tubercle on the eyelid; presence of a dark face mask; a black throat in adult males; narrow and partly indistinct scapular ridges or comma shaped warts; distinct spinulae on males' throats and dorsal surfaces; pronounced pedal webbing; round finger- and toe tips, not enlarged to discs; a white belly with small blackish spots in both sexes; more than one wide dark cross bar on hind legs; and rosé to reddish colour on ventral parts of hind legs in both sexes. It is further defined by its genetic and acoustic characters. It is morphologically and genetically most similar to P. liberiensis and P. intermedius.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tokouaho Flora Kpan
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany Centre Suisse de Recherche Scientifique, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan, Côte d´Ivoire.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
10
|
Bell RC, Parra JL, Badjedjea G, Barej MF, Blackburn DC, Burger M, Channing A, Dehling JM, Greenbaum E, Gvoždík V, Kielgast J, Kusamba C, Lötters S, McLaughlin PJ, Nagy ZT, Rödel M, Portik DM, Stuart BL, VanDerWal J, Zassi‐Boulou AG, Zamudio KR. Idiosyncratic responses to climate‐driven forest fragmentation and marine incursions in reed frogs from Central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:5223-5244. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rayna C. Bell
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology University of California, Berkeley CA USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - Juan L. Parra
- Grupo de Ecología y Evolución de Vertebrados Instituto de Biología Universidad de Antioquia Medellín Colombia
| | - Gabriel Badjedjea
- Département d'Ecologie et Biodiversité des ressources Aquatiques Centre de Surveillance de la Biodiversité Kisangani Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Michael F. Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde ‐ Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
| | - David C. Blackburn
- Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
- Department of Herpetology California Academy of Sciences San Francisco CA USA
| | - Marius Burger
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management North‐West University Potchefstroom South Africa
- Flora Fauna & Man, Ecological Services Ltd. Tortola British Virgin Islands
| | - Alan Channing
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Department University of the Western Cape Bellville South Africa
| | - Jonas Maximilian Dehling
- Abteilung Biologie Institut für Integrierte Naturwissenschaften Universität Koblenz‐Landau Koblenz Germany
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Texas at El Paso El Paso TX USA
| | - Václav Gvoždík
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology Czech Academy of Sciences Brno Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology National Museum Prague Czech Republic
| | - Jos Kielgast
- Section of Freshwater Biology Department of Biology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate Natural History Museum of Denmark Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Laboratoire d'Herpétologie Département de Biologie Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles Lwiro Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | | | - Zoltán T. Nagy
- Museum für Naturkunde ‐ Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Brussels Belgium
| | - Mark‐Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde ‐ Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
| | - Daniel M. Portik
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology University of California, Berkeley CA USA
- Department of Biology University of Texas Arlington TX USA
| | | | - Jeremy VanDerWal
- Centre for Tropical Biodiveristy & Climate Change College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- Division of Research and Innovation eResearch Centre James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | | | - Kelly R. Zamudio
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Portik DM, Leaché AD, Rivera D, Barej MF, Burger M, Hirschfeld M, Rödel M, Blackburn DC, Fujita MK. Evaluating mechanisms of diversification in a Guineo‐Congolian tropical forest frog using demographic model selection. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:5245-5263. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M. Portik
- Department of Biology The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington TX USA
| | - Adam D. Leaché
- Department of Biology University of Washington Seattle WA USA
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture University of Washington Seattle WA USA
| | - Danielle Rivera
- Department of Biology The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington TX USA
| | - Michael F. Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
| | - Marius Burger
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management North‐West University Potchefstroom South Africa
- Flora Fauna & Man Ecological Services Ltd. Tortola British Virgin Island
| | - Mareike Hirschfeld
- Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
| | - Mark‐Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
| | - David C. Blackburn
- Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Matthew K. Fujita
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington TX USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zimkus BM, Lawson LP, Barej MF, Barratt CD, Channing A, Dash KM, Dehling JM, Du Preez L, Gehring PS, Greenbaum E, Gvoždík V, Harvey J, Kielgast J, Kusamba C, Nagy ZT, Pabijan M, Penner J, Rödel MO, Vences M, Lötters S. Leapfrogging into new territory: How Mascarene ridged frogs diversified across Africa and Madagascar to maintain their ecological niche. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 106:254-269. [PMID: 27664344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Mascarene ridged frog, Ptychadena mascareniensis, is a species complex that includes numerous lineages occurring mostly in humid savannas and open forests of mainland Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and the Mascarene Islands. Sampling across this broad distribution presents an opportunity to examine the genetic differentiation within this complex and to investigate how the evolution of bioclimatic niches may have shaped current biogeographic patterns. Using model-based phylogenetic methods and molecular-clock dating, we constructed a time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the group based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome b (cytb) genes and the nuclear RAG1 gene from 173 individuals. Haplotype networks were reconstructed and species boundaries were investigated using three species-delimitation approaches: Bayesian generalized mixed Yule-coalescent model (bGMYC), the Poisson Tree Process model (PTP) and a cluster algorithm (SpeciesIdentifier). Estimates of similarity in bioclimatic niche were calculated from species-distribution models (maxent) and multivariate statistics (Principal Component Analysis, Discriminant Function Analysis). Ancestral-area reconstructions were performed on the phylogeny using probabilistic approaches implemented in BioGeoBEARS. We detected high levels of genetic differentiation yielding ten distinct lineages or operational taxonomic units, and Central Africa was found to be a diversity hotspot for these frogs. Most speciation events took place throughout the Miocene, including "out-of-Africa" overseas dispersal events to Madagascar in the East and to São Tomé in the West. Bioclimatic niche was remarkably well conserved, with most species tolerating similar temperature and rainfall conditions common to the Central African region. The P. mascareniensis complex provides insights into how bioclimatic niche shaped the current biogeographic patterns with niche conservatism being exhibited by the Central African radiation and niche divergence shaping populations in West Africa and Madagascar. Central Africa, including the Albertine Rift region, has been an important center of diversification for this species complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Breda M Zimkus
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Lucinda P Lawson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 820F Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
| | - Michael F Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christopher D Barratt
- University of Basel, Biogeography Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Klingelbergstrasse 27, Basel 4056, Switzerland.
| | - Alan Channing
- University of the Western Cape, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
| | - Katrina M Dash
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA; Department of Biology, Tidewater Community College, 120 Campus Dr., Portsmouth, VA 23701, USA.
| | - J Maximilian Dehling
- Institute of Integrated Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Koblenz-Landau, Universitätsstraße 1, 56070 Koblenz, Germany.
| | - Louis Du Preez
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Somerset Street, Grahamstown 6139, South Africa.
| | - Philip-Sebastian Gehring
- Fakultät für Biologie Universität Bielefeld, Abt. Biologiedidaktik, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
| | - Václav Gvoždík
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic; National Museum, Department of Zoology, 19300 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - James Harvey
- Harvey Ecological, 35 Carbis Road, Pietermaritzburg 3201, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
| | - Jos Kielgast
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Département de Biologie, Lwiro, The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Zoltán T Nagy
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Joint Experimental Molecular Unit, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Maciej Pabijan
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Johannes Penner
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Wildlife Ecology & Management, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Miguel Vences
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße. 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Stefan Lötters
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, 54286 Trier, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Liedtke HC, Müller H, Rödel MO, Menegon M, Gonwouo LN, Barej MF, Gvoždík V, Schmitz A, Channing A, Nagel P, Loader SP. No ecological opportunity signal on a continental scale? Diversification and life-history evolution of African true toads (Anura: Bufonidae). Evolution 2016; 70:1717-33. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Christoph Liedtke
- Department of Environmental Science (Biogeography); University of Basel; 4056 Basel Switzerland
- Ecology, Evolution and Developmental Group, Department of Wetland Ecology; Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC); 41092 Sevilla Spain
| | - Hendrik Müller
- Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum; Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena; 07743 Jena Germany
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin; Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science; 10115 Berlin Germany
| | - Michele Menegon
- Tropical Biodiversity Section; MUSE-Museo delle Scienze; Trento 38123 Italy
| | - LeGrand Nono Gonwouo
- Cameroon Herpetology-Conservation Biology Foundation; P.O. Box 8218 Yaoundé Cameroon
| | - Michael F. Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin; Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science; 10115 Berlin Germany
| | - Václav Gvoždík
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology; Czech Academy of Sciences; Brno Czech Republic
| | - Andreas Schmitz
- Natural History Museum of Geneva; Department of Herpetology and Ichthyology; C.P. 6434 1211 Geneva 6 Switzerland
| | - Alan Channing
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Department; University of the Western Cape; Bellville 7535 South Africa
| | - Peter Nagel
- Department of Environmental Science (Biogeography); University of Basel; 4056 Basel Switzerland
| | - Simon P. Loader
- Department of Environmental Science (Biogeography); University of Basel; 4056 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Life Sciences; University of Roehampton; London SW15 4JD United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rödel MO, Burger M, Zassi-Boulou AG, Emmrich M, Penner J, Barej MF. Two new Phrynobatrachus species (Amphibia: Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) from the Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 2015; 4032:55-80. [PMID: 26624339 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4032.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
We describe two new species of puddle frogs, genus Phrynobatrachus, from the south-western Republic of the Congo. One of them, P. horsti sp. nov., occurs also in neighbouring Gabon and is morphologically most similar to the Cameroonian P. ruthbeateae. It differs from the latter species by smaller males with longer thighs and shanks. The new species comprises various colour morphs but always has less conspicuous black borders between flanks and belly than P. ruthbeateae. The distinct and large black axillary blotch of P. ruthbeateae is either much smaller in P. horsti sp. nov., or broken into numerous irregularly shaped smaller dots. Similarly, a black transversal line at the anterior ventral border of thighs and the black face mask is less distinct and irregularly delimitated in P. horsti sp. nov. when compared to P. ruthbeateae. The mean genetic difference in the sampled region of the 16S rRNA gene between P. horsti sp. nov. and 40 other western African congeners range from 3.66-18.10%. The second new species, P. mayokoensis sp. nov., differs from all other known congeners by the combination of a compact and warty body, the absence of a spiny eyelid tubercle and pedal webbing, a conspicuous black triangle on throat and anterior part of the belly, and a distinct large red blotch on the anterior-proximal surface of the thighs. It exhibited a mean genetic difference in the 16S rRNA to 40 other western African congeners ranging from 1.34-16.98%. The genetically most similar sequence stems from a GenBank entry of a Gabonese frog, determined as P. ogoensis. A comparison of the new species with P. ogoensis syntypes confirmed their specific distinctiveness, most convincingly underlined by the absence of pedal webbing in the new species and the pronounced pedal webbing in P. ogoensis. The GenBank entry thus most likely is based on a misidentification and P. mayokoensis sp. nov. may also occur in neighbouring Gabon. The discovery of the two new frog species is further evidence of the huge gap in our knowledge concerning the species richness in the Guineo-Congolian rainforests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.;
| | - Marius Burger
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. Flora Fauna & Man, Ecological Services Ltd. Tortola, British Virgin Islands.; unknown
| | - Ange Ghislain Zassi-Boulou
- Institut national de Recherche en Sciences Exactes et Naturelles (IRSEN), BP 2400 Brazzaville, République du Congo.; unknown
| | - Mike Emmrich
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.; unknown
| | - Johannes Penner
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.; unknown
| | - Michael F Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.; unknown
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Barej MF, Penner J, Schmitz A, Rödel MO. Multiple genetic lineages challenge the monospecific status of the West African endemic frog family Odontobatrachidae. BMC Evol Biol 2015; 15:67. [PMID: 25928080 PMCID: PMC4425868 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-015-0346-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Correct species identification is crucial in different fields of biology, and in conservation. The endemic West African frog family Odontobatrachidae currently contains a single described species, Odontobatrachus natator. From western Guinea to western Côte d'Ivoire it inhabits forests around waterfalls or cascades. Based on more than 130 specimens from 78 localities, covering the entire distribution, we investigated the molecular diversity of these frogs. Results Our analyses included mitochondrial and nuclear genes, with a concatenated alignment of 3527 base pairs. We detected high level of genetic differentiation with five distinct lineages or operational taxonomic units (OTUs). These OTUs were also identified by two different species delimitation approaches, Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and cluster algorithm. All OTUs occur in parapatry in the Upper Guinean forests. One OTU, assigned to the “true” Odontobatrachus natator, covers the largest distribution, ranging from the border region of western Sierra Leone-Guinea to eastern Liberia. Two OTUs are restricted to western Guinea (Fouta Djallon and foothills), while two others occur in eastern Guinea and the border region of Guinea-Liberia-Côte d'Ivoire. The OTU representing O. natator consists of two divergent subclades: one restricted to the Freetown Peninsula (Sierra Leone) and the other covering all populations further inland. Environmental niche models indicated that the restricted Freetown Peninsula population is separated by unsuitable habitat from remaining populations. Conclusion Geographic isolation of OTUs and molecular differences comparable to species level differentiation in other frog families indicate that O. natator contains cryptic species diversity. Respective distribution patterns most probably resulted from repeated changes of forest cover (contraction and expansion) over evolutionary timescales. The survival within forest refugia that have persisted through multiple drier periods and subsequent dispersal during wetter times may best explain the observed geographic distributions of OTUs. According to the IUCN Red List range criteria each OTU should be classified as “Endangered.” If the Freetown Peninsula “natator” population is recognized as a distinct species it would warrant recognition as “Critically Endangered.” The identification of cryptic lineages highlights the urgent need to protect these frogs, all of which are endemic to small areas within the Upper Guinean biodiversity hotspot. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0346-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Johannes Penner
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Andreas Schmitz
- Department of Herpetology and Ichthyology, Natural History Museum of Geneva, CP 6434, 1211, Geneva 6, Switzerland.
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ernst R, Nienguesso ABT, Lautenschläger T, Barej MF, Schmitz A, Scmitz A, Hölting M. Relicts of a forested past: Southernmost distribution of the hairy frog genus Trichobatrachus Boulenger, 1900 (Anura: Arthroleptidae) in the Serra do Pingano region of Angola with comments on its taxonomic status. Zootaxa 2014; 3779:297-300. [PMID: 24871726 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3779.2.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The monotypic genus Trichobatrachus, with its sole representative, the hairy frog, Trichobatrachus robustus Boulenger, 1900, could be considered one of the most well-known frogs of Africa. Despite its broad recognition and the fact that it is considered wide-spread and locally common (Amiet & Burger 2004), surprisingly little is known about the actual distribution and the specific occurrence patterns of the species. It was originally described by Boulenger (1900) from the Benito River, previously erroneously stated to be located in Gabon. However, Lötters et al. (2001) clarified that the type locality was actually situated in Equatorial Guinea, then part of French Congo, and subsequently provided the first confirmed country record for Gabon. Hairy frogs were previously included in the herpetofaunal lists of Cameroon (Parker 1936; Perret & Mertens 1957), the Democratic Republic of Congo (Laurent 1956), and Nigeria (Schiøtz 1963). More recently published accounts list them for Cameroon (Euskirchen et al. 1999; Herrmann et al. 2005; Gonwouo & Rödel 2008), Equatorial Guinea (De la Riva 1994; Lasso et al. 2002), Gabon (Lötters et al. 2001; Rödel & Pauwels 2003; Burger et al. 2004; Pauwels & Rödel 2007; Bell et al. 2011), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, Fretey et al. 2011), and speculate about their potential occurrence in Congo and the Cabinda enclave of Angola (Amiet & Burger 2004). The DRC record so far represented the most southerly distribution, while the most northerly account comes from the Adamaoua Province of northern Cameroon (Tadpole voucher MHNG-AMP/ERPI-1035.006 from Bénoué source, Northern cliff Ngaoundéré, Adamaoua, Cameroon/Adamaoua Province, cf. Perret 1966). Specimens stored in the collection at the Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren (RMCA) under collection numbers RMCA B 90060.0004-11 confirm the occurrence of the species in Congo. To our knowledge, these specimens represent yet unpublished first country records.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raffael Ernst
- Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden, Königsbrücker Landstr. 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany.;
| | | | - Thea Lautenschläger
- Department of Biology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany; unknown
| | - Michael F Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, D-10115 Berlin, Germany; unknown
| | | | - Andreas Scmitz
- Natural History Museum of Geneva, Department of Herpetology and Ichthyology, C.P. 6434, 1211 Geneva 6, Switzerland; unknown
| | - Monique Hölting
- Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden, Königsbrücker Landstr. 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany.; unknown
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mapouyat L, Hirschfeld M, Rödel MO, Liedtke HC, Loader SP, Gonwouo LN, Dahmen M, Doherty-Bone TM, Barej MF. The tadpoles of nine Cameroonian Leptodactylodon species (Amphibia, Anura, Arthroleptidae). Zootaxa 2014; 3765:29-53. [PMID: 24870883 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3765.1.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
We describe and compare the tadpoles of nine Leptodactylodon species from Cameroon. The tadpoles of Leptodactylodon bicolor, L. mertensi, L. ovatus, L. perreti and L. ventrimarmoratus are herein reinvestigated, partly based on larger series than previously available. In addition we present first descriptions for the tadpoles of L. boulengeri, L. erythrogaster, L. ornatus, and L. cf. polyacanthus. The morphology of these exotrophic, lotic and neustonic tadpoles is discussed in comparison with other stream-dwelling tadpoles. Based on the assumed biology of these tadpoles, living in interstices of gravel or debris, the functioning of several special morphological features, in particular the funnel-mouth of Leptodactylodon tadpoles, are interpreted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lissa Mapouyat
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Mareike Hirschfeld
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; unknown
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; unknown
| | - H Christoph Liedtke
- University of Basel, Department of Environmental Science (Biogeography), Klingelbergstr. 27, Basel 4056, Switzerland; unknown
| | - Simon P Loader
- University of Basel, Department of Environmental Science (Biogeography), Klingelbergstr. 27, Basel 4056, Switzerland; unknown
| | - L Nono Gonwouo
- Cameroon Herpetology-Conservation Biology Foundation (CAMHERP-CBF), PO Box 8218, Yaoundé, Cameroon; unknown
| | - Matthias Dahmen
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; unknown
| | - Thomas M Doherty-Bone
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom; unknown
| | - Michael F Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; unknown
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Barej MF, Schmitz A, Günther R, Loader SP, Mahlow K, Rödel MO. The first endemic West African vertebrate family - a new anuran family highlighting the uniqueness of the Upper Guinean biodiversity hotspot. Front Zool 2014; 11:8. [PMID: 24485269 PMCID: PMC3925359 DOI: 10.1186/1742-9994-11-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher-level systematics in amphibians is relatively stable. However, recent phylogenetic studies of African torrent-frogs have uncovered high divergence in these phenotypically and ecologically similar frogs, in particular between West African torrent-frogs versus Central (Petropedetes) and East African (Arthroleptides and Ericabatrachus) lineages. Because of the considerable molecular divergence, and external morphology of the single West African torrent-frog species a new genus was erected (Odontobatrachus). In this study we aim to clarify the systematic position of West African torrent-frogs (Odontobatrachus). We determine the relationships of torrent-frogs using a multi-locus, nuclear and mitochondrial, dataset and include genera of all African and Asian ranoid families. Using micro-tomographic scanning we examine osteology and external morphological features of West African torrent-frogs to compare them with other ranoids. RESULTS Our analyses reveal Petropedetidae (Arthroleptides, Ericabatrachus, Petropedetes) as the sister taxon of the Pyxicephalidae. The phylogenetic position of Odontobatrachus is clearly outside Petropedetidae, and not closely related to any other ranoid family. According to our time-tree estimation Odontobatrachus has been separated from other frog lineages since the Cretaceous (90.1 Ma; confidence interval: 84.2-97.1 Ma). Along with this molecular evidence, osteological and external diagnostic characters recognize West African torrent-frogs as distinct from other ranoids and provide strong support for the necessity of the recognition of a new family of frogs. This is the only endemic vertebrate family occurring in the Upper Guinea biodiversity hotspot. CONCLUSION Based on molecular and morphological distinctiveness, the West African torrent-frog Odontobatrachus natator is allocated to a newly described anuran family. The discovery of an endemic vertebrate family in West Africa highlights the Upper Guinean forests as an outstanding, but highly endangered biodiversity hotspot.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Schmitz
- Department of Herpetology and Ichthyology, Natural History Museum of Geneva, CP 6434, 1211 Geneva 6, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Günther
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon P Loader
- Department of Environmental Sciences (Biogeography), University of Basel, Klingelbergstr. 27, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Kristin Mahlow
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Barej MF, Rödel MO, Loader SP, Menegon M, Gonwouo NL, Penner J, Gvoždík V, Günther R, Bell RC, Nagel P, Schmitz A. Light shines through the spindrift – Phylogeny of African torrent frogs (Amphibia, Anura, Petropedetidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2014; 71:261-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2013.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Revised: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
20
|
Starnberger I, Poth D, Peram PS, Schulz S, Vences M, Knudsen J, Barej MF, Rödel MO, Walzl M, Hödl W. Take time to smell the frogs: vocal sac glands of reed frogs (Anura: Hyperoliidae) contain species-specific chemical cocktails. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2013; 110. [PMID: 24277973 PMCID: PMC3837199 DOI: 10.1111/bij.12167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Males of all reed frog species (Anura: Hyperoliidae) have a prominent, often colourful, gular patch on their vocal sac, which is particularly conspicuous once the vocal sac is inflated. Although the presence, shape, and form of the gular patch are well-known diagnostic characters for these frogs, its function remains unknown. By integrating biochemical and histological methods, we found strong evidence that the gular patch is a gland producing volatile compounds, which might be emitted while calling. Volatile compounds were confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the gular glands in 11 species of the hyperoliid genera Afrixalus, Heterixalus, Hyperolius, and Phlyctimantis. Comparing the gular gland contents of 17 specimens of four sympatric Hyperolius species yielded a large variety of 65 compounds in species-specific combinations. We suggest that reed frogs might use a complex combination of at least acoustic and chemical signals in species recognition and mate choice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Starnberger
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, Wien 1090, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Doherty-Bone TM, Gonwouo NL, Hirschfeld M, Ohst T, Weldon C, Perkins M, Kouete MT, Browne RK, Loader SP, Gower DJ, Wilkinson MW, Rödel MO, Penner J, Barej MF, Schmitz A, Plötner J, Cunningham AA. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in amphibians of Cameroon, including first records for caecilians. Dis Aquat Organ 2013; 102:187-194. [PMID: 23446968 DOI: 10.3354/dao02557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been hypothesised to be an indigenous parasite of African amphibians. In Cameroon, however, previous surveys in one region (in the northwest) failed to detect this pathogen, despite the earliest African Bd having been recorded from a frog in eastern Cameroon, plus one recent record in the far southeast. To reconcile these contrasting results, we present survey data from 12 localities across 6 regions of Cameroon from anurans (n = 1052) and caecilians (n = 85) of ca. 108 species. Bd was detected in 124 amphibian hosts at 7 localities, including Mt. Oku, Mt. Cameroon, Mt. Manengouba and lowland localities in the centre and west of the country. None of the hosts were observed dead or dying. Infected amphibian hosts were not detected in other localities in the south and eastern rainforest belt. Infection occurred in both anurans and caecilians, making this the first reported case of infection in the latter order (Gymnophiona) of amphibians. There was no significant difference between prevalence and infection intensity in frogs and caecilians. We highlight the importance of taking into account the inhibition of diagnostic qPCR in studies on Bd, based on all Bd-positive hosts being undetected when screened without bovine serum albumin in the qPCR mix. The status of Bd as an indigenous, cosmopolitan amphibian parasite in Africa, including Cameroon, is supported by this work. Isolating and sequencing strains of Bd from Cameroon should now be a priority. Longitudinal host population monitoring will be required to determine the effects, if any, of the infection on amphibians in Cameroon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T M Doherty-Bone
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Barej MF, Böhme W, Perry SF, Wagner P, Schmitz A. The hairy frog, a curly fighter ? – A novel hypothesis on the function of hairs and claw-like terminal phalanges, including their biological and systematic significance (Anura : Arthroleptidae : Trichobatrachus). REV SUISSE ZOOL 2010. [DOI: 10.5962/bhl.part.117784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|