Taxonomic revision of grass frogs (Ptychadenidae, ptychadena) endemic to the Ethiopian highlands

Sandra Goutte, Jacobo Reyes-Velasco, Xenia Freilich, Abeje Kassie, Stephane Boissinot

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Frogs of the genus Ptychadena that inhabit the Ethiopian highlands serve as a model system to understand biogeography, diversification, and adaptations to high elevations. Despite recent studies focusing on the systematics of this group, the taxonomy of the Ptychadena neumanni species complex remains only par-tially resolved, owing largely to the morphological resemblance of its members. Here, the taxonomy of this historically problematic group of frogs is revised by integrating morphological and molecular analyses on both century-old type specimens and more recently collected material. Based on these multiple lines of evidence, the P. neumanni species complex is shown to be more speciose than previously thought and four new species are described. With the aim of clarifying and stabilizing the taxonomy of the group, six species are also re-described and morphological and acoustic identification keys are provided. This study also establishes species distribution maps and reveals important differences in range size between the members of the P. neumanni complex, calling for adapted conservation measures across the Ethiopian highlands.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)77-141
Number of pages65
JournalZooKeys
Volume1016
Issue number1016
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Bioacoustics
  • Herpetology
  • Integrative taxonomy
  • Linear morphometrics
  • Phylogeny
  • Species complex

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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