Five new species of Nectophrynoides Noble 1926 (Amphibia Anura Bufonidae) from the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania

摘要

Five new species of Nectophrynoides Noble 1926 are described from the forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. Two of the new species were already recognised as such, but not formally described. Two more were recognised as undescribed in the collection of the Natural History Museum, London. The fifth was collected during a field survey of the Udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve in early 2003. A description of the advertisement call and some ecological information are provided for the latter species. Little is known of the ecology and behaviour of any of the other new species. An updated key to the species of Nectophrynoides is given. The high species diversity and pattern of endemism of Nectophrynoides suggests the genus is closely associated with the geological and climatic history of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Given the limited distribution of the new species and continuing habitat loss in the Eastern Arc Mountains (a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot), a rapid conservation assessment of the status of these species is necessary. [References: 35]