Biogeographical analysis of Cameroonian puddle frogs and description of a new species ofPhrynobatrachus(Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) endemic to Mount Oku, Cameroon

Abstract

Patterns of species divergence amongst 13 species of Phrynobatrachus from Cameroon were analysed using phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 12S rRNA, valine-tRNA, and 16S rRNA. A clade endemic to the mountains of western Cameroon and eastern Nigeria, part of the geologic rift zone termed the Cameroon Volcanic Line, supports the view that montane regions have acted as centres of speciation. Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea), located 32 km off the coast of Cameroon, is populated by three different lowland Phrynobatrachus species from the mainland. Two of these species, Phrynobatrachus auritus and Phrynobatrachus cornutus reach submontane elevations on Bioko Island (up to 1200-1300 m) but are present only at lowland elevations on mainland Cameroon. A new miniature species of puddle frog of the genus Phrynobatrachus restricted to Mt Oku in the Republic of Cameroon is diagnosed on the basis of morphological characters and molecular data. Unlike all other miniature Phrynobatrachus (snout-vent length < 20 mm), males of this species have unique ventral coloration characterized by a black throat, dark brown to black pectoral and abdominal regions, and a light or white area on the proximal hind limbs. Minute spines cover the venter in males, often appearing as white asperities. The description of this new species supports the significance of this montane ecoregion as a biodiversity hotspot for anurans.

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in amphibians of Cameroon, including first records for caecilians

“…Cameroon has at least 200 species of amphibian (Amiet 2008), with 57 endemic to the country (predominately found in highland areas) and 63 listed as threatened with extinction (IUCN 2012). The discovery of new species of Phrynobatrachus and Petropedetes across Cameroon (Zimkus 2009, Barej et al 2010, Rödel et al 2012 highlights the strong likelihood that many additional cryptic, endemic species remain undescribed.…”

The taxonomic status of two West African Leptopelis species: L. macrotis Schiøtz, 1967 and L. spiritusnoctis Rödel, 2007 (Amphibia: Anura: Arthroleptidae)

“…The genetic distances between L. aubryi and L. spiritusnoctis in the studied 16S gene fragment (5.74-6.56%) and L. millsoni and L. macrotis (11.07-11.30%), respectively, by far exceed the values which are commonly assumed to indicate distinct species (3-5% in 16S; see Vieites et al 2009 for general statement and e.g. Blackburn et al 2008, Zimkus 2009, Rödel et al 2012a, Zimkus and Gvodzík 2013 for values between distinct western African anuran species). Furthermore, our detailed call analyses revealed distinct differences between these taxa in almost all examined call parameters, in particular in parameters with low intraspecific variability (i.e.…”

A New Squeaker Frog (Arthroleptidae: Arthroleptis) from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea

“…In contrast to the respective lowland-and montane-centered distribution of the primates and birds, Gartshore (1984) and Bergl et al (2007) described a vertically stratified distribution of endemic amphibians, with distinct lowland, lower montane, and upper montane species. Of the 53 species endemic to the region, 39 (73.6%) species are recorded only above 800 m. Twelve (30.1%) of these species are restricted to an altitudinal range of 800-1600 m, 16 (41.0%) are found only over 1200 m, and among these, 10 (25.6%) are found only at altitudes greater than 1600 m (Bergl et al, 2007;Zimkus, 2009;Blackburn, 2010).…”