Data from: A new puddle frog (Phrynobatrachidae: Phrynobatrachus) from the Mambilla Plateau in eastern Nigeria

A new species of puddle frog (Phrynobatrachus) is described from the Kurmin Danko Forest Reserve on the western edge of the Mambilla Plateau in eastern Nigeria. The new species is distinguished from both geographically proximate and closely related Phrynobatrachus species by the combination of its body size (larger than the closely related P. chukuchuku, P. manengoubensis, and P. werneri), degree of development of male traits, and a unique ventral colour pattern in males. Molecular phylogenetic analysis reveals that this new species is closely related to P. werneri and P. manengoubensis, which together with several other species form a clade restricted to the mountains of the Cameroon Volcanic Line. This new Phrynobatrachus is the first known amphibian species hypothesized as endemic to the Mambilla Plateau of eastern Nigeria.

本文记述了采自尼日利亚东部曼比拉高原西缘库尔明丹科森林保护区的一种新型扁手蛙属（Phrynobatrachus）物种。该新物种可通过体型（大于近缘物种P. chukuchuku、P. manengoubensis与P. werneri）、雄性性状的发育程度，以及雄性独特的腹部色斑模式这一组合特征，与地理近缘及亲缘关系相近的扁手蛙属物种相区分。分子系统发育分析结果表明，该新物种与P. werneri、P. manengoubensis亲缘关系密切，二者与其他数个物种共同构成了一个仅分布于喀麦隆火山带（Cameroon Volcanic Line）山地的系统发育支系。本新型扁手蛙是目前已知首个被推测为尼日利亚东部曼比拉高原特有种的两栖动物。