DOI
10.1080/21564574.2013.781549
Abstract
Based on morphology there are currently three described East African species of torrent frogs belonging to the tropical African genus Petropedetes (P. dutoiti, P. martiennseni and P. yakusini). Taxonomic uncertainties are evident within this group: a putative new species reported from the Nguru Mountains and the species P. yakusini have a fragmented distribution across the Southern Tanzanian highlands. We conducted a molecular systematic study, sampling populations of East African petropedetids occurring in the mountains of Tanzania (P. martiennseni and P. yakusini), to investigate species boundaries and biogeography. Data provide evidence for the recognition of well-defined genetically distinct populations occurring in each mountain fragment (for P. yakusini), and further support for a new undescribed species from the Nguru Mountains. We examine phylogenetic patterns in relation to the biogeographic history of the region.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-22-2013
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2013, Herpetological Association of Africa.
Recommended Citation
Loader, S.P., Ceccarelli, S., Wilkinson, M., Menegon, M., Mariaux J., de Sá, R.O, Howell, K.M., and Gower, D.J. 2013. Species boundaries and biogeography in the East African Torrent Frogs (Petropedetes: Petropeditidae). African Journal of Herpetology, 62(1):40-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2013.781549
Included in
Behavior and Ethology Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Biology Commons, Cell and Developmental Biology Commons