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The mechanisms that underpin ecological speciation, morphological convergence and the evolution of ecological morphotypes (ecomorphs) in squamates have allowed for a better appreciation of the speciation process in chameleons. In particular, attention has been drawn to several populations of chameleons (Sauria, Chamaeleonidae, Bradypodion) from the Cape Fold Mountains, South Africa. Previous work suggested that these populations are genetically divergent, but with strong similarities in phenotype. Using an integrative taxonomic approach that accounts for genetic diversity, habitat and morphology, three of these populations are described as species. One population is from an isolated forest patch and is genetically different at the species level, but morphologically similar to Bradypodion damaranum (Boulenger, 1887) from forested areas in the Knysna region. Although not sister species, the two are in the same clade and probably diverged through vicariance of the forest. Two other populations are from fynbos habitat in adjacent mountain ranges (Tsitsikamma/Langkloof/Kouga mountains and Baviaanskloof Mountains) and are also morphologically similar, but genetically divergent at the species level. These two species are not sister taxa and are not in the same clade yet have a virtually identical phenotype presumably as the result of convergent evolution for the fynbos habitat. Within the context of morphological taxonomy, these populations have been difficult to evaluate. However, when viewed in the context of ecological speciation, convergence and morphological conservatism, the species boundaries are apparent, allowing for them to be described as new taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sub-Saharan African file snake genus Gonionotophis is currently comprised of 15 species. However, the concept of this genus has been confounded by morphological and genetic differences between the constituent taxa. Due to the dearth of DNA samples, a taxonomic assessment has been impractical to date. We therefore sequenced two mitochondrial and one nuclear marker (16S, cyt b, and c-mos) from 45 samples representing ten species of Gonionotophis to construct a molecular phylogeny using Bayesian and likelihood approaches. Four divergent and well-supported clades were recovered, including: (1) grantii + brussauxi; (2) poensis + stenophthalmus; (3) nyassae; and (4) capensis, chanleri, crossi, guirali and savorgnani. Based on these results and morphological data, the genus Gonionotophis is restricted to the first clade, Mehelya is resurrected for the species in the second clade, and new genera are described for the remaining two clades. ZooBank—urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A82CFAD6-E2E0-439E-90BB-9224E225426B [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe two new frog species ofCardioglossa(Family Arthroleptidae) from Central Africa. The new species are found in the rainforests of western-central Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo near the Gabonese border, respectively. We demonstrate that these species are morphologically and genetically distinct from each other and all other species ofCardioglossa. Both new species lack the dorsal hour-glass pattern present in many species of the genus, but they can be distinguished from each other and related species by distinctive colour patterns on their lateral surfaces and extremities. Both new species most closely resembleC. gratiosa, which occurs in the Atlantic coastal forests extending from Cameroon through Gabon. The new species can be differentiated fromC. gratiosaby the absence of black transverse bars on all limbs or by distinctive lateral colouration. Analysis of mitochondrial ribosomal 16S DNA sequences reveals low to moderate levels (1.9–7.5%) of divergence between these new species and closely related species ofCardioglossa. The floodplains of the Congo and Ubangi Rivers may be important geographic barriers for many of these species. The occurrence of these two new lowland species in the Congo Basin reveals that the distribution and diversity ofCardioglossain this region was underestimated. In addition, we elevateC. nigromaculata inornatato species-level status, based in part on newly available colour photographs from 1950 of specimens from the only known locality. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Discusses the problems of assigning species labels to taxa in the group of cryptic species of sharp-nosed reed frogs found in localities in the western to southern parts of Africa. Analysis of the three groups of calls associated with cryptic species; Comparison of advertisement and aggression call parameters of three species; Recommendations for a revised taxonomy of the group.