The taxonomic status of Hyperolius spatzi Ahl, 1931 and Hyperolius nitidulus Peters, 1875 (Amphibia: Anura: Hyperoliidae)

摘要

We herein re-investigate the taxonomic status of Hyperolius nitidulus Peters, 1875 and H. spatzi Ahl, 1931 by means of morphology, vocalization and genetic data. Both taxa are morphologically distinct, have different advertisement calls and differ genetically from each other by 5.1-5.6% sequence divergence in the investigated 16S rRNA gene. Based on these data we resurrect H. spatzi as a valid species and designate a lectotype for it. Both species occur in savannas of western Africa. Hyperolius spatzi is restricted to Senegambia and thus far known from Senegal and The Gambia. Its occurrence in Guinea Bissau and southern Mauritania seems likely. Hyperolius nitidulus ranges from Guinea and Mali eastwards into Nigeria and Cameroon. Records from the driest savannas in north-eastern Nigerian, Cameroon and the Central African Republic are doubtful and may actually refer to H. pallidus Mertens, 1940.