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Issue: Vol. 2123 No. 1: 2 Jun. 2009
Type: Article
Published: 2009-06-02
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2123.1.3
Page range: 55–68
Abstract views: 35
PDF downloaded: 1

A new brevicipitid species (Brevicipitidae: Callulina) from the fragmented forests of the Taita Hills, Kenya

Institute of Biogeography, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Applied Biodiversity Research, South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa Section of Herpetology, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Department, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia 23173, USA
Section of Herpetology, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Amphibia Callulina Brevicipitidae Taita Hills Eastern Arc Mountains Afromontane

Abstract

A new species Callulina dawida is described from the Taita Hills, Kenya. It is distinguished from other members of the genus on the basis of the degree of digital expansion. The species further differs from other members of the genus based on molecular sequence comparisons and on its call. The morphological variation in the new species is described, including a comparison of internal and external characters and sexual dimorphism with other species of Callulina. The conservation status of the species, on the basis of its restricted distribution and land use changes in the area, is considered to be of high concern. An updated key of the species of Callulina is provided.

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