Cacosternum namaquense Werner, 1910

Channing, Alan, Schmitz, Andreas, Burger, Marius & Kielgast, Jos, 2013, A molecular phylogeny of African Dainty Frogs, with the description of four new species (Anura: Pyxicephalidae: Cacosternum), Zootaxa 3701 (5), pp. 518-550 : 532-533

Cacosternum namaquense Werner, 1910

Namaqua Dainty Frog.

( Figs. 3 H, 4H)

Genetics. The within-clade uncorrected p distance for 16S is 0.2%, with the distances to the other 14 species ranging from 3.0–7.2%. The sample has two likely tyr haplotypes, of which neither are shared.

Advertisement call. The call is a high-pitched creak. The illustrated example ( Fig. 8 ) has a duration of 0.3 s, with 18 pulses at a pulse rate of 56 s -1.

Morphology. Females reach 20 mm SUL in our sample. Breeding males have a vocal sac that is diffuse grey anteriorly, with the belly pattern of spots posteriorly. Viewed from above, the nostrils are within one nostril diameter of the snout margin. The supratympanic fold continues posteriorly to form a glandular saddle. The rictal gland is prominent, continuous with the upper lip. There are two supernumerary tubercles on the palm. There is no webbing, although the notch between the third and fourth toes passes the proximal subarticular tubercle of the third toe. The inner metatarsal tubercle is conical, equal to the width of the tip of the first toe. The nuptial pad of breeding males extends to the level of the proximal subarticular tubercle of the first finger. The belly spots are larger than the lens of the eye, many running together to form lines ( Fig. 4 ).

Distribution. Molecular samples are from Arakoep ( Fig. 7 ). This species is morphologically distinct, unlikely to be confused with similar species, and is widespread in Namaqualand, known from 41 quarter-degree squares (Animal Demography Unit 2012). The species is known from arid rocky areas, where it breeds in temporary pools (Scott 2004d).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Representatives of species of African Dainty Frogs, Cacosternum. All localities in South Africa unless indicated otherwise. A – C. aggestum sp. nov. Holotype MHNG 2690.25 Klipheuwel; B – C. australis sp. nov. MHNG 2699.34, Robertson; C – C. boettgeri MHNG 2740.23 Matatiele; D – C. capense MHNG 2690.23 Klipheuwel; E – C. karooicum MHNG 2740.67 Vrolijkheid; F – C. kinangopensis holotype NMK A / 4372 Murugaru, Kenya; G – C. leleupi Lusinga, Democraic Republic of Congo; H – C. namaquense MHNG 2699.45 Arakoep; I – C. nanogularum sp. nov. holotype MHNG 2750.77 Nkandla; J – C. nanum MHNG 2740.86 Hogsback; K – C. parvum MHNG 2741.2, Mariepskop; L – C. platys MHNG 2709.03 Noordhoek; M – C. plimptoni AC 2535 MHNG 2661.23 Serengeti National Park, Tanzania; N – C. rhythmum sp. nov. MHNG 2741.15, Qudeni; O – C. striatum MHNG 2741.20 Mpur Forest.

FIGURE 4. Ventral views of breeding Cacosternum males. All localities in South Africa unless indicated otherwise. A – C. aggestum sp. nov. MHNG 2690.25, Klipheuwel. B – C. australis sp. nov., MHNG 2699.42 Pearly Beach C – C. boettgeri MHNG 2740.31, The Vale Farm. D – C. capense MHNG 2690.23 Klipheuwel. E – C. karooicum MHNG 2740.67, Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve. F – C. kinangopensis NMK A / 4372, Murungaru, Kenya. G – C. leleupi MHNG 2740.69 Lusinga, Democratic Republic of Congo. H – C. namaquense, MHNG 2699.44 Arakoep. I – C. nanogularum sp. nov. MHNG 2740.78, Nkandla. J – C. nanum MHNG 2740.87 Hogsback. K – C. parvum MHNG 2740.66 Maclear. L – C. platys MHNG 2699.37 Kenilworth. M – C. plimptoni MNHG 2661.21, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. N – C. rhythmum sp. nov., MHNG 2741.12 Harrismith. O – C. striatum MHNG 2741.21 Mpur Forest.

FIGURE 7. Representative advertisement calls of Cacosternum karooicum Oukloof (left) and C. kinangopensis Murungaru (right).

FIGURE 8. Representative advertisement calls of Cacosternum leleupi Lusinga (left), C. namaquense Nuwerus (middle) and C. australis sp. nov. Vrolijkheid (right).