Annika Hillers

Effects of Forest Fragmentation and Habitat Degradation on West African Leaf-Litter Frogs

Habitat degradation alters the dynamics and composition of anuran assemblages in tropical forests. The effects of forest fragmentation on the composition of anuran assemblages are so far poorly known. We studied the joint influence of forest fragmentation and degradation on leaf-litter frogs. We specifically asked whether the processes structuring leaf-litter anuran assemblages in fragmented forests are the same as those in continuous forests. We analyzed anuran assemblages with respect to habitat characteristics, including fragmentation and degradation parameters. In comparison with continuous forests, species richness and diversity were lower and assemblage composition was altered in forest fragments. These changes seemed to be mainly caused by habitat degradation rather than forest fragmentation. Availability of aquatic sites for breeding, vegetation structure (including those variables indicating degradation), and leaf-litter cover had the most influence on the presence of single species. The comparatively small impact of fragmentation on anurans might be due to the location of the study area; it still possessed large tracts of continuous forest. These forest blocks may stabilize the regional rainforest climate and thus weaken the effects of fragmentation.

Complex patterns of continental speciation: Molecular phylogenetics and biogeography of sub-Saharan puddle frogs (Phrynobatrachus)

Puddle frogs (Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) are one of the most species-rich sub-Saharan amphibian groups, occupying an extraordinarily diverse range of habitats. We construct the first phylogeny of puddle frogs, utilizing mitochondrial (12S rRNA, valine-tRNA, and 16S rRNA) and nuclear (RAG-1) DNA. Phylogenetic analyses are conducted using separate and combined partitions under maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian criterion. Monophyly of the Phrynobatrachidae is well supported, and three major clades of Phrynobatrachus are identified. We reconstructed a biogeographic history using habitat preference, elevation, and geographic distribution. Habitat niches appear to be conserved between sister species, with the majority of species favoring forest over savanna habitats and the most recent common ancestor of the Phrynobatrachidae reconstructed as a forest species. Analyses of elevational data identify three independent colonizations of highland regions, one in each of the three major clades. Ancestral reconstructions support an East African origination of puddle frogs. Most species are restricted to one of five sub-Saharan regions and are distributed within the Eastern, Central, and Western zones with far fewer species in Southern Africa. These results elucidate the complex patterns of spatial niche partitioning that have contributed to the diversification of this widely distributed, sub-Saharan genus.

A New Species of Cardioglossa (Anura: Arthroleptidae) from the Upper Guinean Forests of West Africa

Abstract We describe a new frog species of the genus Cardioglossa from the Upper Guinean forests of West Africa. Cardioglossa occidentalis, new species, is found in primary rainforests in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. We demonstrate that this species is morphologically and genetically distinct from C. leucomystax, the species to which these populations were previously assigned. Cardioglossa occidentalis differs from similar congeners by the following combination of markings: fusion or near fusion of all three dorsal lobes (cephalic, scapular, and lumbar); prominent white line extending anteriorly from arm terminates ventral to eye; dark mask extending posteriorly from eye continues unbroken beyond posterior border of scapular lobe; lateral body covered in very few, large dark spots rimmed with thin white. Cardioglossa occidentalis appears related to C. leucomystax, C. melanogaster, and C. schioetzi. This description brings the number of Cardioglossa species to 16.

Revalidation of Phrynobatrachus maculiventris Guibé & Lamotte, 1958 and description of its aposematic coloured tadpole : original article

Abstract Phrynobatrachus maculiventris Guibé & Lamotte, 1958 is a valid species. Herein we clarify its taxonomic status, re‐describe it, and provide the first description of its tadpole. The tadpoles’ specific identity was assessed through DNA barcoding. Phrynobatrachus maculiventris adults differ from all other West African Phrynobatrachus species by a combination of smooth dorsal skin and a peculiar ventral colouration. The analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA revealed that P. maculiventris differs from other West African species of the genus by at least 4.7 % genetic differences. Their tadpoles are unmistakable due to their aposematic black and yellow colour pattern. Cardioglossa liberiensis Barbour & Loveridge, 1927 is a synonym of P. maculiventris. Phrynobatrachus maculiventris has priority over C. liberiensis as the genus Phrynobatrachus has a species named P. liberiensis Barbour & Loveridge, 1927, that was described earlier than C. liberiensis.

RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment: A Rapid Biological Assessment of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, Liberia

Liberias national forests are among the last refuges in West Africa for large migrating mammals. This volume summarizes the findings of a biodiversity survey of three forests as part of the Liberia Forestry Initiative, an effort to rehabilitate and reform Liberias threatened woodlands. The survey found each forest to harbor a wealth of biodiversity and a significant number of species of conservation concern. Researchers here document the discovery of six species new to science, report eighteen new findings for Liberia, and present conservation recommendations based on survey results.