02235nas a2200157   4500008004100000245022900041210006900270260001600339300001200355490000700367520161600374100001601990700001902006700001702025856003502042       2007                        eng d00aThe California Academy of Sciences Gulf of Guinea expeditions (2001,2006) VI. A new species of Phrynobatrachus from the Gulf of Guinea islands and a reanalysis of Phrynobatrachus dispar and P. feae (Anura: Phrynobatrachidae)0 aCalifornia Academy of Sciences Gulf of Guinea expeditions 200120  cSep 28 2007  a367-3850 v583 a<p>The oceanic islands of Sao Tome and Principe in the Gulf of Guinea of Africa harbor a surprising number of endemic amphibians. Two species of puddle frogs (Phrynobatrachus) have been described from these islands: Phryaobatrachus dispar (Peters, 1870) and P. feae (Boulenger, 1906). The validity of P. feae as a taxon distinct from P. dispar has been in doubt and in recent works the two have been considered synonymous. However, a detailed analysis has never been performed. We examined 175 specimens of Phrynobatrachus collected from the two islands during the 2001 and 2006 CAS Gulf of Guinea expeditions as well as two syntypes of P. feae. Consistent external morphological and osteological differences were found between specimens from different islands. Furthermore, maximum likelihood analysis of cytochrome b sequences revealed a high mean inter-island sequence divergence of 21%, whereas intra-island distances were only around 1%. This level of divergence indicates an ancient split, possibly predating the formation of Sao Tome. Mitochondrial DNA sequences from 12S rRNA, valine-tRNA, and 16S rRNA genes support this divergence and indicate that the P. dispar clade is sister to an East African clade of Phryuobatrachus, and not West African species, a recurrent theme with this insular amphibian fauna. Because the type localities of both currently available names are on Principe Island, the species endemic to Sao Tome is undescribed. We thus describe a new species of Phrynobatrachus, raising the current total of endemic amphibian species in the Gulf of Guinea Islands from six to seven.</p>
1 aUyeda, J.C.1 aDrewes, R., C.1 aZimkus, B.M.  u<Go to ISI>://PREV20070057204101928nas 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>://PREV20070009782802418nas a2200181   4500008004100000245015200041210006900193300000900262490000700271520179200278100001702070700001902087700001902106700001902125700001702144700002102161856005402182       2007                        eng d00aFreshwater paths across the ocean: molecular phylogeny of the frog Ptychadena newtoni gives insights into amphibian colonization of oceanic islands0 aFreshwater paths across the ocean molecular phylogeny of the fro  a7-200 v343 aAim Amphibians are a model group for studies of the biogeographical origins of salt-intolerant taxa on oceanic islands. We used the Gulf of Guinea islands to explore the biogeographical origins of island endemism of one species of frog, and used this to gain insights into potential colonization mechanisms.Location Sao Tome and Principe, two of the four major islands in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa, are truly oceanic and have an exceptionally high biodiversity.Methods Mitochondrial DNA is used to test the endemic status of a frog from Sao Tome and compare it with congeneric taxa from tropical Africa. Existing data on surface currents, surface salinity, atmospheric circulation and bird migration in the Gulf of Guinea are summarized to address hypotheses concerning colonization mechanisms.Results The endemic status of Ptychadena newtoni (Bocage) is supported here by mitochondrial DNA sequences, and analysis of this and other molecular data indicates that an East African species close to Ptychadena mascareniensis (Dumeril and Bibron) is its nearest relative. We refute the possibility that this population was anthropogenically introduced, in favour of a natural dispersal mechanism.Main conclusions With six endemic frogs and one caecilian, the Gulf of Guinea islands harbour a diverse amphibian fauna. Five of these species appear to have their closest relatives in East Africa. Insufficient evidence exists for transportation by storms, birds or rafts alone. However, we propose a synergy of rafting, favourable surface currents and a reduction in salinity of surface waters. Catastrophic events, or wet periods in climatic history, could allow freshwater paths to open far enough to enable continental flora and fauna to reach these and other isolated oceanic islands.1 aMeasey, John1 aVences, Miguel1 aDrewes, R., C.1 aChiari, Ylenia1 aMelo, Martim1 aBourles, Bernard  uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/130