THE STATUS OF THE GENUS KASSINA (AMPHIBIA ANURA HYPEROLIIDAE) IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The following taxonomic changes have been made: Rothschildia Mocquard, 1905, Mocquardia Ahl, 1931, Tornierella Ahl, 1924 = Kassina Girard, 1853; Megalixalus maculifer Ahl, 1924 = Kassina senegalensis (Duméril & Bibron, 1841); Rothschildia abyssinica Parker, 1930 (partim) = Kassina obscura obscura Boulenger, 1894; Tornierella pule bra Ahl, 1924, Rothschildia abyssinica 1930 (partim) = Kassina obscura kouniensis (Mocquard, 1905); Kassina senegalensis is essentially a lowland form, widely distributed in Ethiopia at altitudes of 500-2000 m. Ethiopian specimens are described, together with observations on the life-history and habitat of the species. Kassina obscura is considered to be referrable to this genus despite the fact that vomerine teeth are usually absent in the adult and that the larvae have a rather unusual tooth formula. This is essentially a high altitude species, found between 1800 and 3000 m and endemic to the Ethiopian plateau, where it is considered to have suhspeciated in mountain areas on either side of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. The two races are described and observations made upon their habitat and life-history. © 1975 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.