[Herpetology • 2024] Cacosternum cederbergense • A New Species of Dainty Frog (Anura: Pyxicephalidae: Cacosternum) and the first endemic anuran to the Cederberg Region of South Africa

Cacosternum cederbergense 

Angus, Telford, Ping & Conradie, 2024

Cederberg Dainty Frog or Cederberg Caco  || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5512.1.1

 instagram.com/ReptilesofSouthAfrica

 www.TyronePing.co.za

 

Abstract

Within the genus Cacosternum, the species C. capense and C. namaquense form a clade defined by their robust morphology, large size, and distinct dorsolateral glands. In this study, we describe a third member of the group endemic to the Cederberg region of South Africa. Specimens from this area have historically been assigned to C. karooicum, but here we show that this population is genetically unrelated. Using a combination of molecular, morphological, and acoustic data, we provide evidence to show that the Cederberg population of C. karooicum represents an undescribed species within the C. capense group. The new species can be diagnosed from its closest phylogenetic relatives, C. capense and C. namaquense, by the absence of a dark streak running downwards from the pupil into the iris, the presence of large rictal glands that form an uninterrupted arc with the angle of the jaw, heart-shaped palmar tubercles, and an advertisement call with a dominant frequency below 2 kHz. We further discuss their natural history, distribution, and conservation.

Amphibia, endemic, conservation, arid, southwestern Cape

Oliver Angus, Nicolas Telford, Tyrone Ping and Werner Conradie. 2024. A New Species of Dainty Frog (Anura: Pyxicephalidae: Cacosternum) and the first endemic anuran to the Cederberg Region of South Africa.  Zootaxa. 5512(1); 1-21. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5512.1.1

 instagram.com/p/DADIJF6KcFN

 www.tyroneping.co.za/amphibians-of-southern-africa/cacosternum-cederbergense-cederberg-dainty-frog-or-cederberg-cac0

[Herpetology • 2024] Pyxicephalus beytelli • A New Bullfrog (Anura: Pyxicephalidae, Pyxicephalus Tschudi, 1838) from southern Africa

 Pyxicephalus beytelli

 du Preez, Netherlands, Rödel & Channing, 2024

DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2023.2296654 

ABSTRACT

Four species of African bullfrogs are currently recognised. We describe a new species from southern Africa, which can be distinguished on the basis of morphology, advertisement call and DNA sequences. Morphologically it differs from other bullfrogs by a combination of characteristics including a tympanum that is smaller or equal in size to the eye, and smaller in diameter than the space between eye and tympanum, presence of a white dot on the tympanum, longitudinal skin ridges with speckling between dorsal mottles, pale vertebral line usually present, absence of cream coloured lateral stripes, absence of a pale interorbital-bar, upper jaw-barring absent or faint. It has been confirmed from north-eastern Namibia, southern Angola and north-western Botswana. Three further undescribed species are recognised but not formally named, pending further investigation. We confirm the genetic distinctiveness of P. angusticeps.

KEYWORDS: 16S rRNA, tyrosinase exon 1, advertisement calls, Khaudum National Park, new species, Pyxicephalus beytelli sp. nov., taxonomy

  (A) Male Holotype of Pyxicephalus beytelli, NMNW R11398. (B) Right foot. (C) Right hand. Scales both 10 mm.

  Colour pattern variation in  Pyxicephalus beytelli: (A) male specimen from the Okavango, Botswana; (B) from Khaudum National Park, Namibia

(Photos L du Preez).

Pyxicephalus beytelli sp. nov. 

Beytell's bullfrog

Diagnosis: 

The new species is similar to all other species of bullfrogs in morphology and burrowing behaviour. We assign it to the genus Pyxicephalus based on the presence of teeth on the maxilla, two large sharp projections on the lower jaw, the inner metatarsal tubercle strongly flanged, no outer metatarsal tubercle, the outer metatarsals bound into the sole, and the presence of vomerine teeth, all characters that distinguish the genus Pyxicephalus from other pyxicephalids (Poynton Citation1964).

Pyxicephalus beytelli is a large frog, maximum SVL 208 mm. The large size distinguishes it from P. angusticeps (maximum SVL 78.7 mm), P. edulis (maximum SVL 103 mm) and P. sp 2. (maximum SVL 120 mm). It has strongly developed dorsal skin ridges, differing from the oval dorsal warts of P. angusticeps and P. obbianus. There is speckling between the dorsal mottles separating it from P. angusticeps and P. obbianus which ...

 Pyxicephalus beytelli male. (A) Widely-spaced recurved teeth. (B) Open mouth showing teeth and odontoids.

Etymology: We have the pleasure in naming this species for the late Mr Ben Beytell, Director of Parks and Wildlife Management in Namibia. He was instrumental in the proclamation of the Khaudum National Park, Namibia.

 type locality of  Pyxicephalus beytelli, Khaudum National Park, Namibia.

 

Louis H du Preez, Edward C Netherlands, Mark-Oliver Rödel and Alan Channing. 2024. A New Bullfrog from southern Africa (Pyxicephalidae, Pyxicephalus Tschudi, 1838). African Journal of Herpetology.  DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2023.2296654 

[Herpetology • 2019] Tomopterna branchi • A New Sand Frog (Pyxicephalidae: Tomopterna) from Namaqualand, South Africa

Tomopterna branchi 

Wilson & Channing, 2019

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4609.2.2

Abstract

Tomopterna branchi sp. nov. is described from Namaqualand, South Africa. It differs from all other Tomopterna species by advertisement call, 16S rRNA sequence and consistent differences in adult morphology. The tadpole is similar to that of Tomopterna cryptotis. Haplotype networks of 16S and the nuclear tyr gene show that it is distinct from T. delalandii, with which it has been confused. A phylogeny of the genus, excluding the little-known T. monticola, shows that the new species is basal to a clade that includes T. delalandii and six other species. We extend the known range of T. damarensis to southern Namibia, and correct the identification of some GenBank material.

Keywords: Amphibia, Namaqualand, sand frogs, new species, Tomopterna branchi sp. nov., haplotype network, phylogeny, Tomopterna damarensis distribution

Lyle Wilson and Alan Channing. 2019. A New Sand Frog from Namaqualand, South Africa (Pyxicephalidae: Tomopterna). Zootaxa. 4609(2); 225–246. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4609.2.2

[Herpetology • 2018] Nothophryne baylissi, N. inagoensis, N. ribauensis & N. unilurio • New Species of Mongrel Frogs (Pyxicephalidae: Nothophryne) for northern Mozambique Inselbergs

Nothophryne ribauensis  &  N. baylissi 

Conradie, Bittencourt-Silva, Farooq, Loader, Menegon & Tolley, 2018

  DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2017.1376714  
  DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9948

ABSTRACT

Nothophryne Poynton, 1963 is a monotypic genus of frog, with the nominal species N. broadleyi found only on Mount Mulanje, in southern Malawi. Recent surveys in northern Mozambique, however, have uncovered at least four new species associated with four inselbergs (Mount Inago, Mount Namuli, Mount Ribáuè and Taratibu Hills). Previous phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial genes suggest that each mountain isolate has an endemic species of Nothophryne. Herein we provide a rediagnosis of the genus and comparative diagnoses of four new species based on new material.

KEYWORDS: Africa, amphibian, inselbergs, Pyxicephalidae, species, taxonomy

Nothophryne broadleyi Poynton, 1963 

Mongrel Frog; Broadley’s Mountain Frog

Nothophryne baylissi sp. nov.

Namuli Mongrel Frog; Namuli Mountain Frog 

Etymology—We name this species in honour of Dr Julian Bayliss who was the first to document this unique species of frog from the slopes of Mount Namuli, during the Kew Gardens-Darwin Initiative expedition to these inselbergs (Timberlake et al. 2009).

Distribution— Currently only known from Mount Namuli in central Mozambique.

 Nothophryne inagoensis sp. nov.

Inago Mogrel Frog; Inago Mountain Frog

Etymology—The new species is named after Mount Inago, where this species is endemic.

Distribution—Currently only known from Mount Inago in central Mozambique. 

Adult Nothophryne ribauensis sp. nov. from Mount Ribáuè.

Nothophryne ribauensis sp. nov. 

 Ribáuè Mongrel Frog; Ribáuè Mountain Frog

Etymology—The new species is named after Mount Ribáuè, from which it is currently only known from both Mount Ribáuè and Mount M’pàluwé section of the massif.

Distribution—Currently only known from Mount Ribáuè in central Mozambique.

 Nothophryne unilurio sp. nov. 

Quirimbas Mongrel Frog; Quirimbas Mountain Frog

Etymology—Named after Lúrio University, Pemba, Mozambique where Harith Farooq is Director of the Natural Sciences Faculty. The composition comprise out of uni for University and lurio for Lúrio

Distribution— Currently only known from low lying inselbergs in north eastern Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique. The type locality is situated ..., in the Quirimbas National Park.

Werner Conradie, Gabriela B. Bittencourt-Silva, Harith M. Farooq, Simon P. Loader, Michele Menegon and Krystal A. Tolley. 2018. New Species of Mongrel Frogs (Pyxicephalidae: Nothophryne) for northern Mozambique Inselbergs. African Journal of Herpetology.  DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2017.1376714 

Researchgate.net/publication/323363936_New_species_of_Mongrel_Frogs_Pyxicephalidae_Nothophryne_for_northern_Mozambique_inselbergs

  

CONRADIE, W., G.B. BITTENCOURT-SILVA, H.M. ENGELBRECHT, S.P. LOADER, M. MENEGON, C. NANVONAMUQUITXO, M. SCOTT, & K.A. TOLLEY. 2016. Exploration into the hidden world of Mozambique’s sky island forests: new discoveries of reptiles and amphibians. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 92(2): 163–180. DOI:  10.3897/zse.92.9948

[Herpetology • 2016] Species Boundaries and Taxonomy of the African River Frogs (Pyxicephalidae: Amietia)

 Amietia delalandii  

(Duméril & Bibron, 1841)

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4155.1.1

Abstract

A molecular phylogeny of the Afrotropical anuran genus Amietia based on 323 16S sequences indicates that there are 19 species, including four not yet described. No genetic material was available for the nominal A. inyangae. We consider them to represent full species, and define them based on 16S genetic distances, as well as differences in morphology, tadpoles and advertisement call where known. An analysis based on two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes (12S, 16S, 28S and tyrosinase exon 1), from 122 samples, confirmed the phylogenetic relationships suggested by the 16S tree. We recognise and (re-) describe the following species: Amietia angolensis (Bocage, 1866), A. chapini (Noble, 1924), A. delalandii (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), A. desaegeri (Laurent, 1972), A. fuscigula (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), A. hymenopus (Boulenger, 1920), A. inyangae (Poynton, 1966), A. johnstoni (Günther, 1893), A. moyerorum sp. nov., A. nutti (Boulenger, 1896), A. poyntoni Channing & Baptista, 2013, A. ruwenzorica (Laurent, 1972), A. tenuoplicata (Pickersgill, 2007), A. vandijki (Visser & Channing, 1997), A. vertebralis (Hewitt, 1927), and A. wittei (Angel, 1924). Three further candidate species of Larson et al. (2016) await formal naming. We provisionally regard A. amieti (Laurent, 1976) as a junior synonym of A. chapini (Noble, 1924). Amietia lubrica (Pickersgill, 2007) is shown to be a junior synonym of A. nutti, while A. quecketti (Boulenger, 1895) is shown to be a junior synonym of A. delalandii (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), and A. viridireticulata (Pickersgill, 2007) is placed as a junior synonym of A. tenuoplicata (Pickersgill, 2007). On the basis of similarity of 16S sequences, we assign A. sp. 1, A. sp. 3 and A. sp. 6 of Larson et al (2016) to the nomina A. chapini (Noble, 1924), A. desaegeri (Laurent, 1972), and A. nutti (Boulenger, 1896) respectively.

Keywords: Amphibia, Africa, Amietia, molecular phylogeny, haplotypes, advertisement calls, tadpoles, new species, Amietia moyerorum sp. nov.

 A. Channing, J.M. Dehling, S. Lötters and R. Ernst. 2016.  Species Boundaries and Taxonomy of the African River Frogs (Amphibia: Pyxicephalidae: Amietia). Zootaxa.  4155(1); 1–76. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4155.1.1

Larson, T.R., Castro, D., Behangana, M. and Greenbaum, E. 2016. Evolutionary History of the River Frog Genus Amietia (Anura: Pyxicephalidae) reveals Extensive Diversification in Central African Highlands. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 99, 168–181.  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.03.017

Ninda Lara Baptista. 2011. A review of Amietia angolensis (Bocage, 1866) and Amietia fuscigula (Duméril and Bibron, 1841) (Anura: Pyxicephalidae), using morphology and advertisement calls

http://repositorio.ul.pt/bitstream/10451/4680/1/ulfc092709_tm_ninda_baptista.pdf