The biology and systematics of a new species of Xenopus (Anura: Pipidae) from the highlands of Central Africa

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1979.tb03393.x
• Publication Date: 2009-08-20T21:51:24Z
• Authors: R. C. Tinsley*; H. R. Kobel**; M. Fischberg***
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; 15. Life on land

A new species of clawed toad, Xenopus wittei sp. nov. is described from highland areas overlapping the borders Rwanda, Uganda and Zaire. comprehensive morphological analysis has been carried out. X. very closely related to vestitus both have a tetraploid chromosome complement (2 n = 72), only examples within genus. Nevertheless, two may be distinguished by easily observed features, including head morphology dorsal body colours patterns, are also identified their karyotypes mating calls. Data on distribution, ecology parasite infection derived museum collections fieldwork in Central Africa. sympatric parts its range with vestitus, laevis victorianus I. bunyoniensis , up three taxa sharing same habitats. The implications potential interactions discussed. Experimental hybridization confirmed reproductive isolation species. Parasitological studies show that they one another host specific nematode Chitwoodchabaudia other absence tapeworm genus Cephalochlamys . Large scale population movements apparently occurred African highlands during period available records. Sympatry amongst present day representatives an important factor evolution these toads since interpreted as allopolyploids, products interspecies hybridization.