00693nam a2200181 4500008004100000020002200041245006300063210006300126260003500189300003400224653002200258653002500280653002000305100000500325700001700330700001900347856014500366 2006 eng d a0713674253 (pbk.)00aPocket guide to the reptiles and amphibians of East Africa0 aPocket guide to the reptiles and amphibians of East Africa aLondonbA. & C. Black,cc2006. a240 p. HOLLIS no. - 00998269910aAmphibians Africa10aEast Identification.10aReptiles Africa1 a1 aHowell, Kim.1 aDrewes, R., C. uhttp://discovery.lib.harvard.edu//?itemid=%7clibrary%2fm%2faleph%7c009982699 CN - Museum Comp Zoology | QL662.E2 S72 2006, QL662.E2 S72 200602160nas a2200241 4500008004100000245012100041210006900162260001600231300001200247490000700259520141600266100002101682700002001703700002201723700002001745700002001765700002001785700002001805700001901825700002001844700001901864856003501883 2006 eng d00aWhat do we know about the amphibians from the Kenyan central and western highlands? A faunistic and taxonomic review0 aWhat do we know about the amphibians from the Kenyan central and cAug 20 2006 a165-1790 v423 aWe reviewed the pertinent faunistic and taxonomic knowledge available from literature and scientific collections OD the amphibians from the central and western highlands of Kenya. Fifty-four anuran species in 19 genera and 12 families were recognized. Higher taxa are those also found in adjacent African regions. Exceptions are some genera otherwise known from extreme East Africa which, along with the order Gymnophiona, are absent from the central and western highlands of Kenya. The species Ptychadena schillukorum, P taenioscelis and Afrixalus osorioi are reported for the first time from Kenyan territory. The taxonomy of several species is poorly resolved, underlining the need for more alpha-taxonomic effort. This should include the application of modern methods, as molecular markers to uncover cryptic species diversity. We calculated 9.04 +/- 6.11 (1-30) localities per species (n = 54) and 3.98 +/- 2.88 (1-25) species per locality (n = 127), showing that sampling for both species and localities is of different quality and apparently far from complete. Sampling bias due to accessibility may play a role, and more comprehensive field surveys are suggested. It may be considered that certain amphibians reach their geographic range limits just at the periphery of the Kenyan central and western highlands (e.g. "Congolian" forest taxa) or are restricted to a small distribution within that region.1 aLötters, Stefan1 aRotich, Damaris1 aKoester, Timo, E.1 aKosuch, Joachim1 aMuchai, Vincent1 aScheelke, Karin1 aSchick, Susanne1 aTeege, Patrick1 aWasonga, Victor1 aVeith, Michael u://PREV20060062009500943nas a2200181 4500008004100000245010000041210006900141260001300210300001200223490000700235520038400242100001900626700002100645700002000666700001900686700002100705856003500726 2006 eng d00aA new species of arboreal Leptopelis (Anura : Arthroleptidae) from the forests of western Kenya0 anew species of arboreal Leptopelis Anura Arthroleptidae from the cApr 2006 a183-1890 v163 aA new species of arboreal Leptopelis is described from Kakamega Forest, western Kenya. It is a small, brown forest species formerly referred to L. modestus, but distinguished by differences in advertisement call and the sequence of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. The specific allocation of certain related populations of Leplopelis in East and West Africa is briefly discussed.1 aKöhler, Jörn1 aBwong, Beryl, A.1 aSchick, Susanne1 aVeith, Michael1 aLötters, Stefan u://PREV20070001340300641nam a2200157 4500008004100000020007000041245003000111210003000141260006900171300003000240653002200270653001000292100001700302700001500319856014900334 2006 eng d a0801443741 (cloth : alk. paper)9780801443749 (cloth : alk. paper)00aAmphibians of East Africa0 aAmphibians of East Africa aIthacabComstock Pub. Associates/Cornell University Pressc2006. a418 p., [24] p. of plates10aAmphibians Africa10aEast.1 aChanning, A.1 aHowell, K. uhttp://discovery.lib.harvard.edu//?itemid=%7clibrary%2fm%2faleph%7c010158631 CN - Museum Comp Zoology | QL662.A353 C48 2006, QL662.A353 C48 200601714nas a2200169 4500008004100000245012200041210006900163260000900232300001200241490000700253520115600260100001901416700002601435700002601461700002201487856003501509 2006 eng d00aThe biology and recent history of the critically endangered Kihansi spray toad Nectophrynoides asperginis in Tanzania0 abiology and recent history of the critically endangered Kihansi  c2006 a117-1380 v953 aThe ovoviviparous Kihansi spray toad Nectophrynoides asperginis is known from only one locality in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. At the time of discovery in 1996 the species occurred in a spray wetland habitat of about 4 ha maintained by spray from falls on the Kihansi River. River flow was diverted for hydropower production in late 1999, causing the habitat to desiccate, threatening the toad population and other plants and animals dependent on the spray wetland habitat.We conducted field studies from January 2001 to November 2002 in 12 visits, with additional counts through to June 2003. Here we report on the changes in population numbers in the light of the mitigation measures introduced from 2001 in an attempt to maintain a habitat suitable for the Kihansi spray toad. Some data on life history are presented. This small toad is now restricted to an area of less than 2 ha. Due to a reported population crash in late 2003, variously attributed to pesticide use upstream, chytrid fungus, or safari ants (Dorylus sp.), the Kihansi spray toad may be effectively extinct in the wild. The actual cause of the population crash is not known.1 aChanning, Alan1 aFinlow-Bates, Siobain1 aHaarklau, Svein, Erik1 aHawkes, Peter, G. u://PREV20070056265302056nas a2200145 4500008004100000245006900041210006800110260000900178300001200187490000700199520162600206100001901832700002401851856003501875 2006 eng d00aCommunity assembly and structure of tropical leaf-litter anurans0 aCommunity assembly and structure of tropical leaflitter anurans c2006 a113-1290 v123 aWe tested two traditional views of community organization relating to the individualistic continuum versus the interactive concept using anuran leaf-litter assemblages in primary and secondary forest habitats in Tai National Park (TNP), Ivory Coast as a model system. Based on biotic data and species occurrence patterns, the relative importance of each of these concepts was assessed. Null model tests of niche and size overlap revealed that the observed multivariate structure was only weakly influenced by biotic interactions, and therefore is most likely not the sole result of present species interactions. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and quadratic regression analyses showed that particular species responded to certain habitat characteristics, in particular the presence or absence of specific breeding sites and tree size classes, the latter being an index of forest degradation in this case. This corresponded to a discrimination of four major functional response groups within the leaf-litter community. However, the strength of these species-specific responses, and therefore the allocation to one or other of these response groups, varied throughout the year. Thus our results indicate that differing individual life histories, rather chair interspecific interactions, were likely explanations of the observed pattern. The leaf-litter anuran assemblages of TNP can be best described as a collection of loosely interacting individuals responding to particular sets of physiological constraints imposed by a particular location, rather than as a tightly integrated and highly interacting set of species.1 aErnst, Raffael1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV20070008565301971nas a2200337 4500008004100000245003100041210002700072300001000099490000800109520104600117100002201163700001701185700002201202700002001224700002001244700002501264700002201289700001901311700002001330700002701350700003101377700002701408700002201435700001601457700001901473700002501492700002001517700002001537700002201557856005401579 2006 eng d00aThe amphibian tree of life0 aamphibian tree of life a8-2910 v2973 a

The evidentiary basis of the currently accepted classification of living amphibians is discussed and shown not to warrant the degree of authority conferred on it by use and tradition. A new taxonomy of living amphibians is proposed to correct the deficiencies of the old one. This new taxonomy is based on the largest phylogenetic analysis of living Amphibia so far accomplished. We combined the comparative anatomical character evidence of Haas (2003) with DNA sequences from the mitochondrial transcription unit HI (12S and 16S ribosomal RNA and tRNA(Valine) genes, 2,400 bp of mitochondrial sequences) and the nuclear genes histone H3, rhodopsin, tyrosinase, and seven in absentia, and the large ribosomal subunit 28S (approximate to 2,300 bp of nuclear sequences; ca. 1.8 million base pairs; x ($) over bar = 3.7 kb/terminal). The dataset includes 532 terminals sampled from 522 species representative of the global diversity of amphibians as well as seven of the closest living relatives of amphibians for outgroup comparisons.

1 aFrost, Darrel, R.1 aGrant, Taran1 aFaivovich, Julian1 aBain, Raoul, H.1 aHaas, Alexander1 aHaddad, Celio, F. B.1 aDe Sa, Rafael, O.1 aChanning, Alan1 aWilkinson, Mark1 aDonnellan, Stephen, C.1 aRaxworthy, Christopher, J.1 aCampbell, Jonathan, A.1 aBlotto, Boris, L.1 aMoler, Paul1 aDrewes, R., C.1 aNussbaum, Ronald, A.1 aLynch, John, D.1 aGreen, David, m1 aWheeler, Ward, C. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/14200304nas a2200109 4500008004100000245002600041210002600067100001700093700001500110700001500125856005400140 2006 eng d00aCallulina kisiwamsitu0 aCallulina kisiwamsitu1 aChanning, A.1 aHowell, K.1 aLoader, S. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/14300526nas a2200145 4500008004100000245013900041210006900180300001400249490000700263100001200270700001500282700001400297700001500311856005400326 2006 eng d00aCaptive-breeding programme for the Kihansi spray toad Nectophrynoides asperginis at the Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York0 aCaptivebreeding programme for the Kihansi spray toad Nectophryno a241 - 2530 v401 aLEE, S.1 aZIPPEL, K.1 aRAMOS, L.1 aSEARLE, J. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/14400363nam a2200097 4500008004100000245005200041210005000093260005000143100001800193856005400211 2006 eng d00aA Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt0 aGuide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt aCairobThe American University in Cairo Press1 aDin, Baha, El uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/14500471nas a2200133 4500008004100000245010500041210006900146300001200215490000700227100001400234700002000248700001500268856005400283 2006 eng d00aNew frog species of the genus Phrynobatrachus (Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) from Mt. Nlonako, Cameroon.0 aNew frog species of the genus Phrynobatrachus Anura Phrynobatrac a486-4950 v401 aPlath, M.1 aHerrmann, H.-W.1 aBöhme, W. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/14600492nas a2200145 4500008004100000245009300041210006900134300001000203490000900213100001700222700001700239700001600256700002000272856005400292 2006 eng d00aA new species of Probreviceps (Amphibia: Anura) from the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania0 anew species of Probreviceps Amphibia Anura from the Eastern Arc  a45-600 v12371 aLoader, S.P.1 aChanning, A.1 aMenegon, M.1 aDavenport, T.R. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/14700390nas a2200109 4500008004100000245008000041210007100121300001000192490000700202100001700209856005400226 2006 eng d00aNotes on the genus Hyperolius in central République Démocratique du Congo0 aNotes on the genus Hyperolius in central République Démocratique a40-600 v241 aSchiøtz, A. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/14800286nas a2200097 4500008004100000245002600041210002600067100002400093700001700117856005400134 2006 eng d00aPhrynobatrachus tokba0 aPhrynobatrachus tokba1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver1 aSchiøtz, A. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/14900423nas a2200157 4500008004100000245003000041210003000071260000900101100001700110700002400127700001500151700001600166700001500182700001400197856005400211 2006 eng d00aPseudepidalea brongersmai0 aPseudepidalea brongersmai bIUCN1 aSalvador, A.1 aDonaire-Barroso, D.1 aMouden, El1 aSlimani, T.1 aGeniez, P.1 aMateo, J. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/15000418nas a2200121 4500008004100000245007200041210006900113300001000182490000700192100002400199700001900223856005400242 2006 eng d00aRediscovery and identity of Phrynobatrachus monticola Fischer, 18840 aRediscovery and identity of Phrynobatrachus monticola Fischer 18 a69-740 v551 aRödel, Mark-Oliver1 aHallermann, J. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/15100376nas a2200109 4500008004100000245007000041210006700111300001000178490000700188100001700195856005400212 2006 eng d00aReflections on the Hyperolius nasutus group (Anura, Hyperoliidae)0 aReflections on the Hyperolius nasutus group Anura Hyperoliidae a61-710 v241 aSchiøtz, A. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/15200257nas a2200085 4500008004100000245002900041210002900070100001800099856005400117 2006 eng d00aStrongylopus kilimanjaro0 aStrongylopus kilimanjaro1 aStuart, Simon uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/15301919nas a2200133 4500008004100000245008300041210006900124300001000193490000700203520148800210100001901698700001401717856005401731 2006 eng d00aVisual signaling in Phrynobatrachus krefftii Boulenger, 1909 (Anura : Ranidae)0 aVisual signaling in Phrynobatrachus krefftii Boulenger 1909 Anur a18-270 v623 a

During intraspecific interactions involving males, females and subadults, acoustic as well as visual signals were observed in the diurnal frog Phrynobatrachus krefftii. Strikingly, interactions between adult in ales are highly dominated by inflations of the bright yellow subgular vocal sac without sound production. We studied the signaling behavior in males of P. krefftii at the Amani Nature Reserve, Usambara mountains, Tanzania, from November 2001 to March 2002. Under nomnanipulated conditions, we registered 641 male-male interactions involving 31 individuals during 323 hours of observation. Most (496 or 77%) inflations of the vocal sac were purely visual; the remainder (145 or 23%) of the signals were bimodal, and accompanied by sound production. To test whether exclusive visual signaling can be evoked under experimental conditions, we introduced tethered males into the visual field of 28 residents, registering the elicited responses over 10 minutes after the introduction. Unimodal (i.e., exclusive visual) signals (825 out of 1106 responses) dominated over vocal-sac inflations accompanied with sound production. In seven selected focal males, the rate of exclusive visual signaling (0.57 signals/min), however, was more frequent than under nonmanipulated conditions (0.13 signals/min). Phrynobatrachus krefftii is the first species of anuran amphibians reported to perform nonaudible vocal-sac inflations during intraspecific male-male signaling behavior.

1 aHirschmann, W.1 aHoedl, W. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/15402954nas a2200133 4500008004100000245011300041210006900154300001200223490000600235520247900241100002702720700001902747856005402766 2006 eng d00aMultiple mechanisms promote the retained expression of gene duplicates in the tetraploid frog Xenopus laevis0 aMultiple mechanisms promote the retained expression of gene dupl a478-4900 v23 aGene duplication provides a window of opportunity for biological variants to persist under the protection of a co-expressed copy with similar or redundant function. Duplication catalyzes innovation ( neofunctionalization), subfunction degeneration ( subfunctionalization), and genetic buffering ( redundancy), and the genetic survival of each paralog is triggered by mechanisms that add, compromise, or do not alter protein function. We tested the applicability of three types of mechanisms for promoting the retained expression of duplicated genes in 290 expressed paralogs of the tetraploid clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. Tests were based on explicit expectations concerning the ka/ks ratio, and the number and location of nonsynonymous substitutions after duplication. Functional constraints on the majority of paralogs are not significantly different from a singleton ortholog. However, we recover strong support that some of them have an asymmetric rate of nonsynonymous substitution: 6% match predictions of the neofunctionalization hypothesis in that ( 1) each paralog accumulated nonsynonymous substitutions at a significantly different rate and ( 2) the one that evolves faster has a higher ka/ ks ratio than the other paralog and than a singleton ortholog. Fewer paralogs ( 3%) exhibit a complementary pattern of substitution at the protein level that is predicted by enhancement or degradation of different functional domains, and the remaining 13% have a higher average ka/ ks ratio in both paralogs that is consistent with altered functional constraints, diversifying selection, or activity-reducing mutations after duplication. We estimate that these paralogs have been retained since they originated by genome duplication between 21 and 41 million years ago. Multiple mechanisms operate to promote the retained expression of duplicates in the same genome, in genes in the same functional class, over the same period of time following duplication, and sometimes in the same pair of paralogs. None of these paralogs are superfluous; degradation or enhancement of different protein subfunctions and neofunctionalization are plausible hypotheses for the retained expression of some of them. Evolution of most X. laevis paralogs, however, is consistent with retained expression via mechanisms that do not radically alter functional constraints, such as selection to preserve post- duplication stoichiometry or temporal, quantitative, or spatial subfunctionalization.1 aChain, Frederic, J. J.1 aEvans, Ben, J. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/15502077nas a2200133 4500008004100000245008400041210006900125300001200194490000700206520162800213100002501841700002301866856005401889 2006 eng d00aOntogenetic diet change in the arthroleptid frog Schoutedenella xenodactyloides0 aOntogenetic diet change in the arthroleptid frog Schoutedenella  a388-3940 v403 aAnuran amphibians are important consumers of arthropods in tropical ecosystems. Previous research has indicated that very small, terrestrial frogs, especially juveniles, largely consume small leaf litter arthropods. To date, few studies have examined diet in African anurans, and no studies exist of ontogenetic change in prey composition for any African frog. We investigated the change in diet that accompanies body size increase in the arthroleptid frog Schoutedenella xenodactyloides (Anura: Ranoidea) from a population located on the Mulanje Massif in Malawi, central Africa. Schoutedenella xenodactyloides is a miniature (< 22 mm snout-urostyle length; SUL), direct-developing frog that is often very abundant and is likely an important consumer of small leaf litter arthropods. Based on examination of stomach and intestinal contents from specimens that span the known range of posthatching body sizes, we document the taxonomic diversity of prey consumed by S. xenodactyloides. We present evidence that S. xenodactyloides exhibits a size-related ontogenetic change in the type and relative proportions of prey taxa. Small frogs (<= 13 min SUL) consume large numbers of collembolans and mites. As frogs attain larger body sizes; ants constitute a larger percentage of the total number of prey consumed; and collembolan and mite consumption falls below 10% of the total prey items. The prey consumed by S. xenodactyloides include at least 10 orders of arthropods and an unidentified mollusk. This is a greater diversity of prey items than previously found in Schoutedenella as well as most other arthroleptid species.1 aBlackburn, David, C.1 aMoreau, Corrie, S. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/15602414nas a2200169 4500008004100000245015600041210006900197300001200266490000700278520178800285100002002073700002002093700002202113700002602135700002902161856005402190 2006 eng d00aPhylogeny and biogeography of a cosmopolitan frog radiation: Late cretaceous diversification resulted in continent-scale endemism in the family ranidae0 aPhylogeny and biogeography of a cosmopolitan frog radiation Late a579-5940 v553 aRanidae is a large anuran group with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships and early biogeographic history of ranid frogs, using 104 representatives of all subfamilies and families, sampled from throughout their distribution. Analyses of similar to 1570 bp of nuclear gene fragments (Rag-1, rhod, Tyr) and similar to 2100 bp of the mitochondrial genome (12S rRNA, tRNA(VAL), 16S rRNA) indicate that the monophyly of several taxa can be rejected with high confidence. Our tree is characterized by a clear historical association of each major clade with one Gondwanan plate. This prevalence of continent-scale endemism suggests that plate tectonics has played a major role in the distribution of ranid frogs. We performed dispersal-vicariance analyses, as well as analyses constrained by paleogeographic data, to estimate ancestral distributions during early ranid diversification. Additionally, we used molecular clock analyses to evaluate whether these scenarios fit the temporal framework of continental breakup. Our analyses suggest that a scenario in which the ancestors of several clades (Rhacophorinae, Dicroglossinae, Raninae) reached Eurasia via the Indian subcontinent, and the ancestor of Ceratobatrachinae entered via the Australia-New Guinea plate, best fits the paleogeographic models and requires the fewest number of dispersal/vicariance events. However, several alternatives, in which part of the ranid fauna colonized Laurasia from Africa, are not significantly worse. Most importantly, all hypotheses make clear predictions as to where to expect key fossils and where to sample other living ranids, and thus constitute a strong basis for further research. [Anura; biogeography; convergence; radiation; Ranidae; Ranoidea.]1 aBossuyt, Franky1 aBrown, Rafe, M.1 aHillis, David, M.1 aCannatella, David, C.1 aMilinkovitch, Michel, C. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/15702329nas a2200157 4500008004100000245014800041210006900189260001300258300001200271490000800283520177900291100001902070700002302089700002402112856003502136 2006 eng d00aDiversity erosion beyond the species level: Dramatic loss of functional diversity after selective logging in two tropical amphibian communities0 aDiversity erosion beyond the species level Dramatic loss of func cNov 2006 a143-1550 v1333 aAssessing the effects of logging on different aspects of biodiversity and general ecosystem properties is of prime importance if the few remaining areas of intact tropical forest are to be efficiently protected. Commonly used measures of biodiversity may only inadequately reflect actual disturbance after logging and studies restricted to only one specific eco-region do not allow for generalizations of results. We hence measured the impact of selective logging on different levels of diversity of two tropical anuran communities in two geographically distinct eco-regions. Species-diversity patterns were incoherent both, within and between studies. In West Africa, species richness did not differ between primary and exploited forest sites, whereas South American anuran communities exhibited higher species richness in primary sites. Yet, in both eco-regions, functional diversity (FD) was higher in primary forest communities. Absolute values of FD were higher in South American anuran communities, despite higher species richness in West African communities. FD was higher in older recovery, as compared to younger recovery states, even though species-diversity did not differ significantly. Three major conclusions can be drawn from our results. 1. Scale matters: it is important to monitor different levels of biodiversity in order to reveal its actual loss after anthropogenic disturbance. 2. Time matters: the disturbance history of a site is important in order to detect patterns that otherwise remain unnoticed. 3. Geographic history matters at the local scale: whereas general patterns at higher diversity levels were identical in both eco-regions, species richness, species diversity and turnover patterns differed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.1 aErnst, Raffael1 aLinsenmair, Eduard1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV20070006794702046nas a2200181 4500008004100000245009800041210006900139260001600208300001000224490000700234520145900241100003601700700003101736700001701767700002101784700002401805856003501829 2006 eng d00aThe anurans of the Banco National Park, Cote d’Ivoire, a threatened West African rainforest0 aanurans of the Banco National Park Cote d Ivoire a threatened We cFeb 20 2006 a41-510 v423 aWe studied the anuran fauna of the Banco National Park (BNP) in south-eastern Cote d’Ivoire from July 2003 to February 2004. During this period we recorded 28 anuran species. Important faunistic records were: a new hyperoliid treefrog that represents a new genus, a new species of Astylosternus, and the first country record for Phrynobatrachus ghanensis. On the basis of our standardized monitoring data we estimated that 34 to 38 amphibian species live in BNP. The presence of e.g. Phrynobatrachus phyllophilus, P. ghanensis and Ptychadena aequiplicata, that are typical primary forests species, shows that BNP still comprises primary forest. However, the occurrence of several other species such as Phrynobatrachus accraensis, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Ptychadena pumilio, P. mascareniensis, Bufo regularis and B. maculatus which normally inhabit secondary forest, farmbush or even savannah, indicates that BNP forests are already altered by human activities. Overall species richness of BNP was unexpectedly low compared to other known Upper Guinea forest areas, as was the proportion of species that are endemic to West Africa and the Upper Guinea forest block. The lack of numerous otherwise widespread forest frogs might be a hint that BNP already is too small (3000 ha) to assure long-term survival of particular amphibian species and thus is a pressing sign to put more emphasis on forest protection actions in south-eastern Cote d’Ivoire.1 aAssemian, N’Guessan, Emmanuel1 aKouame, N’Goran, Germain1 aTohe, Blayda1 aGourene, Germain1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV20060049446801314nas a2200181 4500008004100000245008700041210006900128260001600197300000900213490000700222520074700229100002000976700002500996700002001021700001801041700001901059856005401078 2006 eng d00aThe tadpole of Tomopterna luganga Channing, Moyer & Dawood, 2004 (Anura : Ranidae)0 atadpole of Tomopterna luganga Channing Moyer Dawood 2004 Anura R cFeb 20 2006 a1-120 v423 a

The study describes for the first time the larva of the Red Sand Frog, Tomopterna luganga. The description is based on colour photographs of living specimens, preserved specimens, and SEM images of the oral field and internal oral features. Larval stages were obtained from captive breeding experiments. The identity of the species was verified by DNA matching with the holotype and paratypes. Tomopterna luganga tadpoles were very similar to other described larvae within the genus. The Labial Tooth Row Formula 4(2-4)/3(1) of T. luganga distinguishes the species from some of its congeners. However, the currently available data does not allow the development of a reliable determination key for the tadpoles of Tomopterna species.

1 aHaas, Alexander1 aMitgutsch, Christian1 aHertwig, Stefan1 aDawood, Abeda1 aChanning, Alan uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/13301875nas a2200193 4500008004100000245009200041210006900133260001700202300001000219490000600229520127900235100002101514700002401535700002401559700001901583700002001602700002401622856003501646 2006 eng d00aBiodiversity in a forest island: reptiles and amphibians of the West African Togo Hills0 aBiodiversity in a forest island reptiles and amphibians of the W cFal-Win 2006 a22-450 v43 a

Our recent surveys of the herpetological diversity of the West African Togo Hills documented a total of 65 reptile and amphibian species, making Kyabobo National Park one of the most diverse sites surveyed in Ghana. We provide accounts for all species recorded along with photographs to aid in identification. We recorded 26 amphibians, including six new records for Kyabobo N. P., one of which is a record for the Togo Hills. Our collection of reptile species (22 lizards, 16 snakes, and one crocodile) also provides new records and range extensions for Kyabobo N. P., such as the first observation of the dwarf crocodile, Osteolaemus tetraspis. Amphibian species still lacking from our surveys in the Togo Hills include several species that are adapted to fast running water or large closed forests, like the Togo toad, Bufo togoensis and the slippery frog, Conraua derooi. Appropriate habitat for such species still remains in Kyabobo, highlighting the need for additional survey work. We draw attention to the importance of conserving forest stream habitats, which will in turn help ensure the persistence of forest-restricted species. We also highlight those species that may prove most useful for evolutionary studies of West African rain forest biogeography.

1 aLeache, Adam, D.1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver1 aLinkem, Charles, W.1 aDiaz, Raul, E.1 aHillers, Annika1 aFujita, Matthew, K. u://PREV20070034782801122nas a2200157 4500008004100000245001800041210001600059260001300075300001200088490000700100520076000107100002300867700002000890700001900910856003500929 2006 eng d00a[TITLE BLANK]0 aTITLE BLANK cDec 2006 a113-1220 v553 aA new species of Kassina is described from Unguja Island, Zanzibar, East Africa. It is distinguished from other species in its genus by an advertisement call that is pulsed, frequency modulated, and with a longer duration than that of K. senegalensis or K. maculata, and its grey and white reticulated colour pattern. The gular strap, like that in K. senegalensis, is continuous with the thick, pleated skin of the vocal pouch, but unlike K. senegalensis, it is rounded and truncated posteriorly. In contrast, the gular gland of K. maculata is rounded and free at its posterior end. The finger and toe tips are not distinct disks, but are only very slightly rounded and truncated when viewed from above. In lateral view, the tips arc noticeably flattened.1 aMsuya, Charles, A.1 aHowell, Kim, M.1 aChanning, Alan u://PREV200700148839