Foam‐nest treefrogs in eastern Africa (Anura Rhacophoridae Chiromantis): Taxonomic complexities

Abstract

Parker's (1932) relegation of Chiromantis kelleri to subspecific status as C. petersii kelleri is investigated. Examination of the holotypes of C. petersii and C. kelleri shows subspecific status for these taxa to be inappropriate. Available data leave an open question as to whether there is a closer relationship between C. kelleri and C. petersii rather than between C. kelleri and C. xerampelina. Examination of the types of C. macrops indicates that this material is conspecific with C. kelleri, together with some of the Somalian material identified by Parker as C. p. kelleri. Parker's remaining Somalian material appears to represent a robust, undescribed form, showing some features of both C. kelleri and C. xerampelina. An apparently undescribed, large form is also noted from Somalia, and another from Uganda. This study reveals a complex pattern of diversity among northeast African Chiromantis, and suggests that current taxonomic analysis is less adequate than has been suspected.