Hemisus microscaphus Laurent 1972, a little-known Ethiopian endemic (Amphibia Anura)

Abstract

Hemisus microscaphus Laurent 1972, an Ethiopian endemic previously known in the literature only from the holotype, is reassessed on the basis of 24 additional specimens that provide new data on the morphology, habitat and distribution of the species. It is compared with H. marmoratus Peters 1854, the only other member of the genus known to occur in Ethiopia, and with H. guineensis Cope 1865 and H. olivaceus Laurent 1963 from neighbouring territories. A very small inner metatarsal tubercle readily distinguishes H. microscaphus from all its congeners except the Zairean species H. olivaceus, which it resembles both morphologically and in ecological associations; an observation which leads to speculation about whether this similarity might reflect close relationship or is more a product of convergent evolution.

Key Words:

• Hemisus microscaphus
• morphology
• phylogeny
• ecology
• distribution
• endemicity
• Ethiopia