00867nas a2200157   4500008004100000245010700041210006900148260001800217300001000235490000700245520036200252100001900614700002100633700002000654856003500674       2002                        eng d00aDescription of a new torrent frog in the genus Arthroleptides from Tanzania (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae)0 aDescription of a new torrent frog in the genus Arthroleptides fr  cDecember 2002  a13-270 v203 aA new torrent frog in the genus Arthroleptides is described from the Udzungwa and Uluguru mountains in Tanzania. It is distinguished from the previously known species, A. dutoiti and A. martiensseni, by its large size, non-thickened supratympanic ridge, and more extensive webbing. A key to the three species in this endemic East African genus is presented.1 aChanning, Alan1 aMoyer, David, C.1 aHowell, Kim, M.  u<Go to ISI>://PREV20030013678801642nas a2200169   4500008004100000245012100041210006900162260001600231300001200247520107300259100002101332700002201353700002101375700002001396700002101416856003501437       2007                        eng d00aReproduction in brevicipitid frogs (Amphibia : Anura : Brevicipitidae) - Evidence from Probreviceps m. macrodactylus0 aReproduction in brevicipitid frogs Amphibia Anura Brevicipitidae  cSep 10 2007  a726-7333 aAn egg clutch of the Tanzanian brevicipitid frog, Probreviceps m. macrodactylus, is described for the first time. The single clutch consists of 32 eggs and 21 infertile, jelly-filled capsules, tightly bound together by a thin, tough outer layer. The infertile capsules are concentrated toward the top of the clutch. The eggs were found in a dry season, and were perhaps likely to hatch at the onset of the short rains. The specific identification is confirmed through analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Eggs are yolky and large, about 8 mm in diameter (including capsule), suggesting that P. m. macrodactylus has a direct mode of development. The embryos observed were in an early developmental stage and showed the early division of the brain and anlagen of three pairs of visceral arches. Brevicipitid reproduction and development are poorly known, but a review of the existing literature and parsimonious optimization of simple characters onto a phylogenetic framework suggest that direct development is a derived condition characterizing the whole clade.1 aMüller, Hendrik1 aLoader, Simon, P.1 aNgalason, Wilirk1 aHowell, Kim, M.1 aGower, David, J.  u<Go to ISI>://PREV20080002080001928nas a2200181   4500008004100000245010800041210006900149260001300218300001200231490000700243520135900250100002201609700002701631700001901658700002001677700001401697856003501711       2007                        eng d00aSpatial and temporal patterns of abundance and diversity of an east African leaf litter amphibian fauna0 aSpatial and temporal patterns of abundance and diversity of an e  cJan 2007  a105-1130 v393 aWe present data on sample richness, relative abundance, and community structure of a leaf litter amphibian assemblage from globally important miombo-mopane woodlands characteristic of western Tanzania. We describe patterns of diversity across major habitat types and between different seasons from an annual pitfall-trapping campaign. We recorded 28 species of amphibians, which is significantly higher than existing richness estimates for other miombo woodland sites elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. We found that cultivation of native habitat reduces frog diversity, a conclusion that has important implications in light of the rapid conversion of miombo woodland for agriculture and fuel-wood across much of southern and central Africa. Many species showed strongly ansynchronized patterns of seasonality in relative abundance, which has significant implications for the establishment of successful monitoring programs and biodiversity surveys. These conclusions emphasize the importance of stratified long-term sampling in biodiversity studies and demonstrate that superficial levels of sampling effort can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding patterns of diversity in amphibian communities. The relatively poor focus on herpetofaunal research in African miombo-mopane woodland is out of proportion to its ecological and conservation significance.1 aGardner, Toby, A.1 aFitzherbert, Emily, B.1 aDrewes, R., C.1 aHowell, Kim, M.1 aCaro, Tim  u<Go to ISI>://PREV20070009782801122nas 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<Go to ISI>://PREV200700148839