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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Freshwater paths across the ocean: Molecular phylogeny of the frog Ptychadena newtoni gives insights into amphibian colonization of oceanic islands
Journal of Biogeography, Volume 34, No. 1, Year 2007
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Description
Aim: Amphibians are a model group for studies of the biogeographical origins of salt-intolerant taxa on oceanic islands. We used the Gulf of Guinea islands to explore the biogeographical origins of island endemism of one species of frog, and used this to gain insights into potential colonization mechanisms. Location: São Tomé and Príncipe, two of the four major islands in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa, are truly oceanic and have an exceptionally high biodiversity. Methods: Mitochondrial DNA is used to test the endemic status of a frog from São Tomé and compare it with congeneric taxa from tropical Africa. Existing data on surface currents, surface salinity, atmospheric circulation and bird migration in the Gulf of Guinea are summarized to address hypotheses concerning colonization mechanisms. Results: The endemic status of Ptychadena newtoni (Bocage) is supported here by mitochondrial DNA sequences, and analysis of this and other molecular data indicates that an East African species close to Ptychadena mascareniensis (Duméril and Bibron) is its nearest relative. We refute the possibility that this population was anthropogenically introduced, in favour of a natural dispersal mechanism. Main conclusions: With six endemic frogs and one caecilian, the Gulf of Guinea islands harbour a diverse amphibian fauna. Five of these species appear to have their closest relatives in East Africa. Insufficient evidence exists for transportation by storms, birds or rafts alone. However, we propose a synergy of rafting, favourable surface currents and a reduction in salinity of surface waters. Catastrophic events, or wet periods in climatic history, could allow freshwater paths to open far enough to enable continental flora and fauna to reach these and other isolated oceanic islands. © 2007 The Authors.
Authors & Co-Authors
Measey, John
France, Bondy
Ird Centre D'ile-de-france
Belgium, Antwerpen
Universiteit Antwerpen
Vences, Miguel
Germany, Braunschweig
Technische Universität Braunschweig
Drewes, Robert C.
United States, San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences
Chiari, Ylenia
Netherlands, Amsterdam
Zoological Museum Amsterdam
Melo, Martim
United Kingdom, Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Bourlès, Bernard
France, Plouzane
Ird Centre de Bretagne
Statistics
Citations: 164
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01589.x
ISSN:
13652699
Research Areas
Environmental
Genetics And Genomics
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Multi-countries
Guinea