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Type: Article
Published: 2014-04-04
Page range: 438–452
Abstract views: 84
PDF downloaded: 2

The King of the Dwarves: a new cryptic species of Dainty Frog (Anura: Pyxicephalidae: Cacosternum) from the eastern Great Escarpment of South Africa

Port Elizabeth Museum, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood, 6013, South Africa South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, P/Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
Amphibia endemism hotspot grassland cryptic species

Abstract

Phylogenetic reconstruction using the mitochondrial 16S marker shows the presence of a cryptic species of Cacosternum (Anura: Pyxicephalidae) from the eastern Great Escarpment of South Africa, supporting the Greater Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany region of vertebrate endemism. Bioacoustic and morphological characteristics, in conjunction with colouration differences, allow the description of this cryptic species. Tadpoles and details of life history are described.