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We use mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences and morphology to re-evaluate the taxonomy of Bufo vertebralis grindleyi Poynton, 1963, currently a junior synonym of Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti (Hewitt & Methuen, 1912); and morphology and advertisement calls to re-evaluate the status of Bufo jordani Parker, 1936, currently a junior synonym of Poyntonophrynus hoeschi (Ahl, 1934). According to our results including comparisons to other congeners, we elevate both taxa to full species as Poyntonophrynus grindleyi (Poynton, 1963) and Poyntonophrynus jordani (Parker, 1936). Our new P. grindleyi record is the first record of the species for Mozambique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The niche-filling process predicted by the 'ecological opportunity' (EO) model is an often-invoked mechanism for generating exceptional diversity in island colonizers. Whether the same process governs lineage accumulation and trait disparity during continental colonization events is less clear. Here, we test this prediction by investigating the rate dynamics and trait evolution of one of Africa's most widespread amphibian colonizers, the true toads (Bufonidae). By reconstructing the most complete molecular phylogeny of African Bufonidae to date, we find that the diversification of lineages in Africa best conforms to a constant rate model throughout time and across subclades, with little support for EO. Evolutionary rates of life-history traits have similarly been constant over time. However, an analysis of generalists and specialists showed a shift toward higher speciation rates associated with habitat specialization. The overall lack of EO signal can be interpreted in a number of ways and we propose several explanations. Firstly, methodological issues might preclude the detection of EO. Secondly, colonizers might not experience true EO conditions and due to the size, ecological heterogeneity and age of landmasses, the diversification processes might be more complex. Thirdly, lower speciation rates of habitat generalists may have affected overall proliferation of lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents Case 3666 at the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) which recommends the conservation of the name Dicroglossidae Dubois, 1987 for a frog family under Article 81 of the Code. Included in the article are single species Dicroglossus adolfi as junior subjective synonym of genus Rana cyanophlyctis Schneider, 1799, Dicroglossus as invalid junior synonym of genus Rana Linnaeus, and the single species Xenophrys monticola Günther, 1858.

The purpose of this application, under Article 81 of the Code, is to conserve the name dicroglossidae Dubois, 1987 for a family of frogs. Analysis of the publication where the name dicroglossidae was first used (Anderson, 1871) showed that this was an incorrect subsequent spelling of discoglossidae Günther, 1858 and therefore not an available name. This name would have been made available by Dubois (1987) except that Dicroglossus Günther, 1860 was then considered a junior subjective synonym of Euphlyctis Fitzinger, 1843 and thus unable to be the type-genus of a new family-group name according to Article 11.7.1.1 of the Code. However, dicroglossidae is a widely used family name in the recent taxonomy of amphibians. It includes about 180 species distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia. We therefore ask the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to make the name dicroglossini Dubois, 1987, with the type genus Dicroglossus Günther, 1860, available by original designation of Dubois (1987, p. 57); to place the names dicroglossini Dubois, 1987 and Dicroglossus Günther, 1860, on the relevant Official Lists of Names in Zoology; and to place the name ' dicroglossidae Anderson, 1871', an incorrect subsequent spelling of discoglossidae Günther, 1858, on the Index of Invalid and Rejected Family-Group Names in Zoology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delalande's Sand Frog extends from St Francis Bay in the east, to Cape Town in the West, and Springbok in the north of South Africa. A phylogeny of the genus shows that the extreme northern population does not cluster with those elsewhere. This population differs by advertisement call, 16S rRNA sequence and consistent differences in adult morphology from the southern form. Haplotype networks of mitochondrial and nuclear genes show that the northern populations are distinct from Tomopterna delalandii and all other described taxa, and represent a new species. We are happy to name the new Namaqua Sand Frog for Bill Branch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mascarene ridged frog, Ptychadena mascareniensis , is a species complex that includes numerous lineages occurring mostly in humid savannas and open forests of mainland Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and the Mascarene Islands. Sampling across this broad distribution presents an opportunity to examine the genetic differentiation within this complex and to investigate how the evolution of bioclimatic niches may have shaped current biogeographic patterns. Using model-based phylogenetic methods and molecular-clock dating, we constructed a time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the group based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome b ( cytb ) genes and the nuclear RAG1 gene from 173 individuals. Haplotype networks were reconstructed and species boundaries were investigated using three species-delimitation approaches: Bayesian generalized mixed Yule-coalescent model (bGMYC), the Poisson Tree Process model (PTP) and a cluster algorithm (SpeciesIdentifier). Estimates of similarity in bioclimatic niche were calculated from species-distribution models ( maxent ) and multivariate statistics (Principal Component Analysis, Discriminant Function Analysis). Ancestral-area reconstructions were performed on the phylogeny using probabilistic approaches implemented in BioGeoBEARS. We detected high levels of genetic differentiation yielding ten distinct lineages or operational taxonomic units, and Central Africa was found to be a diversity hotspot for these frogs. Most speciation events took place throughout the Miocene, including “out-of-Africa” overseas dispersal events to Madagascar in the East and to São Tomé in the West. Bioclimatic niche was remarkably well conserved, with most species tolerating similar temperature and rainfall conditions common to the Central African region. The P. mascareniensis complex provides insights into how bioclimatic niche shaped the current biogeographic patterns with niche conservatism being exhibited by the Central African radiation and niche divergence shaping populations in West Africa and Madagascar. Central Africa, including the Albertine Rift region, has been an important center of diversification for this species complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The family Microhylidae has a large circumtropic distribution and contains about 400 species in a highly subdivided taxonomy. Relationships among its constituent taxa remained controversial due to homoplasy in morphological characters, resulting in conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses. A phylogeny based on four nuclear genes (rag-1, rag-2, tyrosinase, BDNF) and one mitochondrial gene (CO1) of representatives of all currently recognized subfamilies uncovers a basal polytomy between several subfamilial clades. A sister group relationship between the cophylines and scaphiophrynines is resolved with moderate support, which unites these endemic Malagasy taxa for the first time. The American members of the subfamily Microhylinae are resolved to form a clade entirely separate from the Asian members of that subfamily. Otophryne is excluded from the subfamily Microhylinae, and resolved as a basal taxon. The placement of the Asian dyscophine Calluella nested within the Asian Microhyline clade rather than with the genus Dyscophus is corroborated by our data. Bayesian estimates of the divergence time of extant Microhylidae (47–90Mya) and among the subclades within the family are discussed in frameworks of alternative possible biogeographic scenarios. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]