[Herpetology • 2015] The Frog Fauna of a Coastal Dry Forest, and a Checklist of the Amphibians of Mozambique

Figure 3. Anuran species from Nhica do Rovuma.
a. Arthroleptis stenodactylus, MNHN 2010.21, adult male, pantanos 1; b. Arthroleptis xenodactyloides, MNHN 2010.49, adult male, forest floor near Rovuma; c. Leptopelis broadleyi, MNHN 2010.24, adult male, Nhica Lake; d. Leptopelis flavomaculatus, pantanos 1; e. Breviceps mossambicus, MNHN 2010.52, adult female, near base camp; f. Amietophrynus maculatus, 2010.53, adult male, Nhica Lake; g. Hemisus marmoratus, MNHN 2010.60, adult male, pantanos 1; h. Afrixalus fornasini, MNHN 2010.1, adult male, Nhica Lake. 

 ABSTRACT

Field work was conducted in 2008 and 2009 in Nhica do Rovuma, Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique, in order to assess anuran faunal composition of East African coastal dry forest. A total of 31 species were observed and/or collected; 24 of these are new for the province. Discussions on nomenclatural and taxonomic aspects are given for Leptopelis broadleyi, Hyperolius parkeri, Ptychadena anchietae, Ptychadena oxyrhynchus, and Ptychadena taenioscelis. Available names for the Hyperolius nasutus complex frogs are discussed and Hyperolius microps is used as valid name for Hyperolius acuticeps. The following new synonyms: Hyperolius translucens Power, 1935 syn. nov. is a junior subjective synonym of Crumenifera pusilla Cope, 1862 with the valid name Hyperolius pusillus (Cope, 1862); Hyperolius usaramoae Loveridge, 1932 syn. nov. and Hyperolius acuticeps Ahl, 1931 syn. nov. are junior subjective synonyms of Hyperolius microps Günther, 1864. Xenopus petersi was confirmed from Mozambique based on a historical specimen. A literature review of the distribution of amphibians of Mozambique resulted in a national checklist of 82 species or subspecies. A dendrogram of occurrence data investigating faunal relationships between provinces illustrates Cabo Delgado is closest to Nampula in the number of shared species, reflecting the distribution of East African coastal dry forest frog fauna.

Keywords: Amphibia, faunistic study, taxonomy, live colouration, species list

 Annemarie Ohler and Thierry Frétey. 2015. Going Back to Rovuma: The Frog Fauna of a Coastal Dry Forest, and a Checklist of the Amphibians of Mozambique. Journal of East African Natural History. 103(2):73-124. DOI:  10.2982/028.103.0203

 researchgate.net/publication/286378893_Going_Back_to_Rovuma_The_Frog_Fauna_of_a_Coastal_Dry_Forest_and_a_Checklist_of_the_Amphibians_of_Mozambique