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Type: Article
Published: 2014-02-14
Page range: 29–53
Abstract views: 25
PDF downloaded: 1

The tadpoles of nine Cameroonian Leptodactylodon species (Amphibia, Anura, Arthroleptidae)

Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
University of Basel, Department of Environmental Science (Biogeography), Klingelbergstr. 27, Basel 4056, Switzerland
University of Basel, Department of Environmental Science (Biogeography), Klingelbergstr. 27, Basel 4056, Switzerland
Cameroon Herpetology-Conservation Biology Foundation (CAMHERP-CBF), PO Box 8218, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
Barcoding Cameroon forest funnel-mouth tadpoles lotic waters Leptodactylodon mountain endemics

Abstract

We describe and compare the tadpoles of nine Leptodactylodon species from Cameroon. The tadpoles of Leptodactylodon bicolor, L. mertensi, L. ovatus, L. perreti and L. ventrimarmoratus are herein reinvestigated, partly based on larger series than previously available. In addition we present first descriptions for the tadpoles of L. boulengeri, L. erythrogaster, L. ornatus, and L. cf. polyacanthus. The morphology of these exotrophic, lotic and neustonic tadpoles is discussed in comparison with other stream-dwelling tadpoles. Based on the assumed biology of these tadpoles, living in interstices of gravel or debris, the functioning of several special morphological features, in particular the funnel-mouth of Leptodactylodon tadpoles, are interpreted.