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Amphibians
Vandijkophrynus angusticeps (Smith, 1848)
Nomenclature
SUMMARY
V. angusticeps is part of the Angusticeps Division (sensu Poynton 1996), an extremely closely related and morphologically confusing group of toads endemic to southern Africa that also includes V. gariepensis gariepensis, V. g. nubicolus, V. inyangae, V. robinsoni and V. amatolicus (Cunningham and Cherry 2000). Most of these taxa are geographically variable and at some sites it is difficult to assign individuals to a particular species.
Typical individuals of V. angusticeps are distinguished from other species in the Angusticeps Division by their unspotted white ventrum and bright yellow flush over the dorsal surfaces of their feet. However, these characters may be absent in certain areas, making identification difficult. Clearly more research is needed on morphology, colouration and genetic variation within this group, and this will require extensive and systematic sampling across the entire distribution of the Angusticeps Division, including montane populations and contact zones between taxa (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).