Material ascribed to the genus Callulina from north-east Tanzania and south-east Kenya is assessed. Three new species of Callulina are described from the North (Callulina laphami sp. nov.) and South (Callulina shengena sp. nov. and Callulina stanleyi sp. nov.) Pare Mountains in Tanzania. The species are diagnosed based on morphological, acoustic, and molecular data. A new key to the species of Callulina is provided. Based on an interpretation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, we suggest that the three species will qualify as critically endangered, because of their small distributions and the ongoing threat to their habitat. We reveal the high local endemism of Callulina in the northern part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, with each species restricted to no more than one mountain (fragment) block. This high local endemism in Callulina is probably widespread across the Eastern Arc, raising further conservation concern for this group of amphibians. Based on new molecular phylogenetic data for Callulina, we discuss biogeographical relationships among northeast Tanzanian mountains, and evolutionary patterns in Eastern Arc breviciptids.
We present data on the altitudinal distribution of amphibians on the western slopes of Uluguru South Mountains, Tanzania. These mountains form part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, which are known for their biodiversity richness. We used drift fences with pitfall buckets, plots, and audio-visual survey methods. A total of 21 species was found during the survey. Four species previously reported in the Uluguru South Mountains were not found during the present survey. Generally, the number of species was highest at lower altitudes and decreased with increased altitude. Species similarity index showed that the study sites adjacent to each other had greater similarity in amphibian species composition than did sites distant from each other. The Uluguru Mountains are characterized by altitudinal variation in vegetation types and climatic factors such as temperature and rainfall, which may affect the distribution of amphibians on the mountain.
A new species of Nectophrynoides from the Ukaguru Mountains, Eastern Arc Mountains Tanzania, is described. The new species is diagnosed by the presence of large prominent spines with keratinized tips, positioned on the dorsum, head and limbs. In addition, the combination of the following characters presence of large tympanum and annulum, foot longer than tibia, the lack of parotoid glands and advertisement call features, allow this species to be distinguished from all other species in the genus. The new species adds to our understanding of the relatively undersampled and poorly understood, amphibian fauna of the Ukaguru Mountains.
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