Global amphibian declines associated with anthropogenic causes, climate change, and amphibianspec... more Global amphibian declines associated with anthropogenic causes, climate change, and amphibianspecific infectious diseases (e.g., chytridiomycosis) have highlighted the importance of biobanking amphibian genetic material. Genetic resource collections were the first to centralize the long-term storage of samples for use in basic science, including disciplines such as molecular evolution, molecular genetics, phylogenetics, and systematics. Biobanks associated with conservation breeding programs put a special emphasis on the cryopreservation of viable cells. These cell lines have a broader application, including the potential for genetic rescue and use in species propagation for population enhancement, such as captive breeding and reintroduction programs. We provide an overview of the most commonly used methods for the preservation of genetic resources, identify ways to standardize collection processes across biobanks, and provide decision trees to assist researchers in maximizing the potential use of their samples for both scientific research and the practice of species conservation. We hope that the collection and deposition of tissues preserved using methods that enable eventual cell line establishment will become routine practice among researchers, particularly herpetologists working in the field. While many major museums do not yet cryopreserve reproductive cells or cell lines, they contain the infrastructure and staff to maintain these collections if protocols and procedures are adapted. Collaboration between organizations can play an important future role in the conservation of amphibians, especially biobanks associated with research institutions and those pioneering techniques used in breeding programs.
Phrynobatrachus discogularis sp. nov. (Anura, Phrynobatrachidae) is described from the Eastern Ar... more Phrynobatrachus discogularis sp. nov. (Anura, Phrynobatrachidae) is described from the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tan- zania. It occupies upland grasslands and while it morphologically most resembles West and Central African P. gutturosus (Chabanaud, 1921), P. rungwensis (Loveridge, 1932), and P. anotis Schmidt and Inger, 1959, preliminary analysis of mi- tochondrial 16S rRNA indicates that the new species differs from all other species with published sequence data by a min- imum distance of 4.1% and has affinities with P. rungwensis, P. uzungwensis Grandison and Howell, 1983 and P. keniensis Barbour and Loveridge, 1928—all diminutive upland eastern African taxa. The shape and colour of the male’s external gular apparatus distinguish this species from all other described Phrynobatrachus species. Although geographically either sympatric or closely allopatric with P. uzungwensis, the lack of overlapping morphological characters indicates the two forms are distinct species. The new taxon is compared with other species from the region.
A five-day international workshop was recently convened at the Université des Sciences et Techniq... more A five-day international workshop was recently convened at the Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku in Gabon to enhance international collaboration among Central African, US and European scientists, conservation professionals and policy makers. The overall aims of the workshop were to: (1) discuss emerging priorities in biodiversity and conservation genetics research across Central Africa, and (2) create new networking opportunities among workshop participants. Here we provide a brief overview of the meeting, outline the major recommendations that emerged from it, and provide information on new networking opportunities through the meeting web site.
Populations of many frogs have declined alarmingly in recent years, placing nearly one third of t... more Populations of many frogs have declined alarmingly in recent years, placing nearly one third of the . 6,000 species under threat of extinction. Declines have been attributed largely to habitat loss, environmental degradation and/or infectious diseases such as chytridiomycosis. Many frogs undergo dramatic natural population fluctuations such that long-term data are required to determine population trends without undue influence of stochastic factors. We present long-term quantitative data (individuals encountered per person hour of searching) for four monotypic frog genera endemic to an Afromontane region of exceptional importance but growing conservation concern: one endemic to the Ethiopian highlands (Spinophrynoides osgoodi) and three endemic to the Bale Mountains (Altiphrynoides malcolmi, Balebreviceps hillmani, Ericabatrachus baleensis), collected during 15 field trips to the Bale Mountains between 1971 and 2009. Only a single confirmed sighting of S. osgoodi has been made since 1995. The other three species have also declined, at least locally. E. baleensis appears to have been extirpated at its type locality and at the same site B. hillmani has declined. These declines are in association with substantial habitat degradation caused by a growing human population. Chytrid fungus has been found on several frog species in Bale, although no dead or moribund frogs have been encountered. These results expose an urgent need for more amphibian surveys in the Bale Mountains. Additionally, we argue that detrimental human exploitation must be halted immediately in at least some parts of the Harenna Forest if a conservation crisis is to be averted.
A fundamental expectation of vicariance biogeography is for contemporary cladogenesis to produce ... more A fundamental expectation of vicariance biogeography is for contemporary cladogenesis to produce spatial congruence between speciating sympatric clades. The Uroplatus leaf-tailed geckos represent one of most spectacular reptile radiations endemic to the continental island of Madagascar, and thus serve as an excellent group for examining patterns of continental speciation within this large and comparatively isolated tropical system. Here we present the first phylogeny that includes complete taxonomic sampling for the group, and is based on morphology and molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA) data. This study includes all described species, and we also include data for eight new species. We find novel outgroup relationships for Uroplatus and find strongest support for Paroedura as its sister taxon. Uroplatus is estimated to have initially diverged during the mid-Tertiary in Madagascar, and includes two major speciose radiations exhibiting extensive spatial overlap and estimated contemporary periods of speciation. All sister species are either allopatric or parapatric. However, we found no evidence for biogeographic congruence between these sympatric clades, and dispersal events are prevalent in the dispersal–vicariance biogeographic analyses, which we estimate to date to the Miocene. One sister-species pair exhibits isolated distributions that we interpret as biogeographic relicts, and two sister-species pairs have parapatric distributions separated by elevation. Integrating ecological niche models with our phylogenetic results finds both conserved and divergent niches between sister species. We also found substantial intra-specific genetic variation, and for the three most widespread species, poor intra-specific predictive performance for ecological niche models across the latitudinal span of Madagascar. These latter results indicate the potential for intra-specific niche specialization along environmental gradients, and more generally, this study suggests a complex speciation history for this group in Madagascar, which appears to include multiple speciation processes.
Two large forest Phrynobatrachus (male, snout-urostyle length 42.2 mm; subadult, snout-urostyle l... more Two large forest Phrynobatrachus (male, snout-urostyle length 42.2 mm; subadult, snout-urostyle length 27.4 mm) were collected from the Mahale Mountains in Tanzania, exhibiting a large tympanum (55%-76% of the eye diameter), large digital discs, and a ...
Puddle frogs (Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) are one of the most species-rich sub-Saharan amphibian gr... more 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. (B.M. Zimkus), mo.roedel@mfnberlin.de (M.-O. Rödel), annika.hillers@mfn-berlin.de (A. Hillers). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55 (2010) 883-900
... Correspondence to: Breda Zimkus ... nov 'Kakamega': grey triangle (... more ... Correspondence to: Breda Zimkus ... nov 'Kakamega': grey triangle (type locality; no other localities known); P. scheffleri: black circle (type locality), white circles; P. inexpectatus: black triangle (type locality and additional sites); P. minutus: black square (type locality), white squares ...
Typically small body size and similar external anatomy have made it difficult for researchers to ... more Typically small body size and similar external anatomy have made it difficult for researchers to distinguish between species of two distantly related, but often sympatric, African ranoid frog genera: Arthroleptis (Arthroleptidae) and Phrynobatrachus (Phrynobatrachidae). We define a suite of external morphological characters, extending beyond the traditionally used secondary sexual characteristics, that can be used to definitively distinguish between adult Arthroleptis and Phrynobatrachus. Photographs comparing absence, presence, and variation of morphological characters are included for clarification. Significant differences between body proportions (head width/snout-vent length) are also observed between these genera. Although smaller species might be more difficult to identify, larger species (. 30 mm snout-vent length) of Arthroleptis can be distinguished from Phrynobatrachus because of their relatively wider heads. We intend this to serve as a heuristic guide for both field-and museum-based researchers.
... BREDA M. ZIMKUS AND JOANNA G. LARSON ... Nevertheless, this character is often difficult to d... more ... BREDA M. ZIMKUS AND JOANNA G. LARSON ... Nevertheless, this character is often difficult to detect and may be a result of poor preservation or dessication (Drewes & Perret 2000; Laurent 1957; Scott 2005; Zimkus & Blackburn 2008). ...
A five-day international workshop was recently convened at the Université des Sciences et Techniq... more A five-day international workshop was recently convened at the Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku in Gabon to enhance international collaboration among Central African, US and European scientists, conservation professionals and policy makers. The overall aims of the workshop were to:(1) discuss emerging priorities in biodiversity and conservation genetics research across Central Africa, and (2) create new networking opportunities among workshop participants. Here we provide a brief overview of the ...
Global amphibian declines associated with anthropogenic causes, climate change, and amphibianspec... more Global amphibian declines associated with anthropogenic causes, climate change, and amphibianspecific infectious diseases (e.g., chytridiomycosis) have highlighted the importance of biobanking amphibian genetic material. Genetic resource collections were the first to centralize the long-term storage of samples for use in basic science, including disciplines such as molecular evolution, molecular genetics, phylogenetics, and systematics. Biobanks associated with conservation breeding programs put a special emphasis on the cryopreservation of viable cells. These cell lines have a broader application, including the potential for genetic rescue and use in species propagation for population enhancement, such as captive breeding and reintroduction programs. We provide an overview of the most commonly used methods for the preservation of genetic resources, identify ways to standardize collection processes across biobanks, and provide decision trees to assist researchers in maximizing the potential use of their samples for both scientific research and the practice of species conservation. We hope that the collection and deposition of tissues preserved using methods that enable eventual cell line establishment will become routine practice among researchers, particularly herpetologists working in the field. While many major museums do not yet cryopreserve reproductive cells or cell lines, they contain the infrastructure and staff to maintain these collections if protocols and procedures are adapted. Collaboration between organizations can play an important future role in the conservation of amphibians, especially biobanks associated with research institutions and those pioneering techniques used in breeding programs.
Phrynobatrachus discogularis sp. nov. (Anura, Phrynobatrachidae) is described from the Eastern Ar... more Phrynobatrachus discogularis sp. nov. (Anura, Phrynobatrachidae) is described from the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tan- zania. It occupies upland grasslands and while it morphologically most resembles West and Central African P. gutturosus (Chabanaud, 1921), P. rungwensis (Loveridge, 1932), and P. anotis Schmidt and Inger, 1959, preliminary analysis of mi- tochondrial 16S rRNA indicates that the new species differs from all other species with published sequence data by a min- imum distance of 4.1% and has affinities with P. rungwensis, P. uzungwensis Grandison and Howell, 1983 and P. keniensis Barbour and Loveridge, 1928—all diminutive upland eastern African taxa. The shape and colour of the male’s external gular apparatus distinguish this species from all other described Phrynobatrachus species. Although geographically either sympatric or closely allopatric with P. uzungwensis, the lack of overlapping morphological characters indicates the two forms are distinct species. The new taxon is compared with other species from the region.
A five-day international workshop was recently convened at the Université des Sciences et Techniq... more A five-day international workshop was recently convened at the Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku in Gabon to enhance international collaboration among Central African, US and European scientists, conservation professionals and policy makers. The overall aims of the workshop were to: (1) discuss emerging priorities in biodiversity and conservation genetics research across Central Africa, and (2) create new networking opportunities among workshop participants. Here we provide a brief overview of the meeting, outline the major recommendations that emerged from it, and provide information on new networking opportunities through the meeting web site.
Populations of many frogs have declined alarmingly in recent years, placing nearly one third of t... more Populations of many frogs have declined alarmingly in recent years, placing nearly one third of the . 6,000 species under threat of extinction. Declines have been attributed largely to habitat loss, environmental degradation and/or infectious diseases such as chytridiomycosis. Many frogs undergo dramatic natural population fluctuations such that long-term data are required to determine population trends without undue influence of stochastic factors. We present long-term quantitative data (individuals encountered per person hour of searching) for four monotypic frog genera endemic to an Afromontane region of exceptional importance but growing conservation concern: one endemic to the Ethiopian highlands (Spinophrynoides osgoodi) and three endemic to the Bale Mountains (Altiphrynoides malcolmi, Balebreviceps hillmani, Ericabatrachus baleensis), collected during 15 field trips to the Bale Mountains between 1971 and 2009. Only a single confirmed sighting of S. osgoodi has been made since 1995. The other three species have also declined, at least locally. E. baleensis appears to have been extirpated at its type locality and at the same site B. hillmani has declined. These declines are in association with substantial habitat degradation caused by a growing human population. Chytrid fungus has been found on several frog species in Bale, although no dead or moribund frogs have been encountered. These results expose an urgent need for more amphibian surveys in the Bale Mountains. Additionally, we argue that detrimental human exploitation must be halted immediately in at least some parts of the Harenna Forest if a conservation crisis is to be averted.
A fundamental expectation of vicariance biogeography is for contemporary cladogenesis to produce ... more A fundamental expectation of vicariance biogeography is for contemporary cladogenesis to produce spatial congruence between speciating sympatric clades. The Uroplatus leaf-tailed geckos represent one of most spectacular reptile radiations endemic to the continental island of Madagascar, and thus serve as an excellent group for examining patterns of continental speciation within this large and comparatively isolated tropical system. Here we present the first phylogeny that includes complete taxonomic sampling for the group, and is based on morphology and molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA) data. This study includes all described species, and we also include data for eight new species. We find novel outgroup relationships for Uroplatus and find strongest support for Paroedura as its sister taxon. Uroplatus is estimated to have initially diverged during the mid-Tertiary in Madagascar, and includes two major speciose radiations exhibiting extensive spatial overlap and estimated contemporary periods of speciation. All sister species are either allopatric or parapatric. However, we found no evidence for biogeographic congruence between these sympatric clades, and dispersal events are prevalent in the dispersal–vicariance biogeographic analyses, which we estimate to date to the Miocene. One sister-species pair exhibits isolated distributions that we interpret as biogeographic relicts, and two sister-species pairs have parapatric distributions separated by elevation. Integrating ecological niche models with our phylogenetic results finds both conserved and divergent niches between sister species. We also found substantial intra-specific genetic variation, and for the three most widespread species, poor intra-specific predictive performance for ecological niche models across the latitudinal span of Madagascar. These latter results indicate the potential for intra-specific niche specialization along environmental gradients, and more generally, this study suggests a complex speciation history for this group in Madagascar, which appears to include multiple speciation processes.
Two large forest Phrynobatrachus (male, snout-urostyle length 42.2 mm; subadult, snout-urostyle l... more Two large forest Phrynobatrachus (male, snout-urostyle length 42.2 mm; subadult, snout-urostyle length 27.4 mm) were collected from the Mahale Mountains in Tanzania, exhibiting a large tympanum (55%-76% of the eye diameter), large digital discs, and a ...
Puddle frogs (Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) are one of the most species-rich sub-Saharan amphibian gr... more 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. (B.M. Zimkus), mo.roedel@mfnberlin.de (M.-O. Rödel), annika.hillers@mfn-berlin.de (A. Hillers). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55 (2010) 883-900
... Correspondence to: Breda Zimkus ... nov 'Kakamega': grey triangle (... more ... Correspondence to: Breda Zimkus ... nov 'Kakamega': grey triangle (type locality; no other localities known); P. scheffleri: black circle (type locality), white circles; P. inexpectatus: black triangle (type locality and additional sites); P. minutus: black square (type locality), white squares ...
Typically small body size and similar external anatomy have made it difficult for researchers to ... more Typically small body size and similar external anatomy have made it difficult for researchers to distinguish between species of two distantly related, but often sympatric, African ranoid frog genera: Arthroleptis (Arthroleptidae) and Phrynobatrachus (Phrynobatrachidae). We define a suite of external morphological characters, extending beyond the traditionally used secondary sexual characteristics, that can be used to definitively distinguish between adult Arthroleptis and Phrynobatrachus. Photographs comparing absence, presence, and variation of morphological characters are included for clarification. Significant differences between body proportions (head width/snout-vent length) are also observed between these genera. Although smaller species might be more difficult to identify, larger species (. 30 mm snout-vent length) of Arthroleptis can be distinguished from Phrynobatrachus because of their relatively wider heads. We intend this to serve as a heuristic guide for both field-and museum-based researchers.
... BREDA M. ZIMKUS AND JOANNA G. LARSON ... Nevertheless, this character is often difficult to d... more ... BREDA M. ZIMKUS AND JOANNA G. LARSON ... Nevertheless, this character is often difficult to detect and may be a result of poor preservation or dessication (Drewes & Perret 2000; Laurent 1957; Scott 2005; Zimkus & Blackburn 2008). ...
A five-day international workshop was recently convened at the Université des Sciences et Techniq... more A five-day international workshop was recently convened at the Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku in Gabon to enhance international collaboration among Central African, US and European scientists, conservation professionals and policy makers. The overall aims of the workshop were to:(1) discuss emerging priorities in biodiversity and conservation genetics research across Central Africa, and (2) create new networking opportunities among workshop participants. Here we provide a brief overview of the ...
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