Pyxicephalus Differences

[tgampper]

I have uploaded the rough draft of the African Bullfrog Identification Guide on my personal website. I would appreciate any comments or input you may have. There are a few things that still need to be completed. Since we had access to many photos, I thought I would do the guide in a photo essay style. Please PM me if you have any thing you would like contribute. The link is:

http://xenopus.freeshell.org/abig1.doc

[Kevin1]

I can only say that it's awesome Terry and thanks for making this possible.

[onedge30]

Looking good, Terry. I am looking it over now and will send you some comments in a day or two. The weekend got away from me with an FWC Amnesty Day Event at the Jacksonville zoo and a Repticon in Tampa.

[tgampper]

Thanks for the comments. I have been busy the last week or two also. I am putting it all together today and it is an on-going project. Looking forward to additional input.

[tgampper]

I have completed the African Bullfrog Identification Guide. I emailed it to John for review. Thanks for all your help. I would like this to be an on-going project, so I will be looking for new material as time goes by.

[Kevin1]

I have some pictures that I would like to show you all, the pics however are not mine.

[onedge30]

What cha' got Kevin? We can always take a look.

[Malachi]

Does anyone have pictures of baby edulis? I think a comparison needs to be documented so people can avoid buying the wrong froglet species.

[Kevin1]

The pic is not mine. I showed you this one Jeff. I have a few others but none are more unique than this one.
I have a larger copy of the pic but I won't post it here due to copyright infringement.

[onedge30]

Kevin, Yea, I remember this picture.

Are you suggesting that we add a 'not identified' photos section to the article?

[Kevin1]

Not necessarily. I just wanted to hear some opinions and start a discussion on this frog and others like it. This frog does not say Edulis to me in anyway. While I haven't seen any confirmed pictures of obbianus, I don't think this frog is it. I'm sure it's a possibility.
So other than that it must be some form of Adspersus, perhaps an in-described subspecies. I don't know. Let me know what y'all think!

[tgampper]

Hi ABF Fans:

I have sent a draft copy of the ABF ID guide to some folks in South Africa for review. I hope that we can get more photos and info.

[tgampper]

Hi African Bullfrog Fans:

I am sorry that the ABF ID Guide is taking longer than expected. I was contacted last night by a scientist who really knows the genus quite well. He is willing to address some issues between P. adspersus and P. edulis with me. If you have a question or two, please PM me ASAP. Thanks!

[onedge30]

Hey Terry, I saw this pop up and had to take notice.

My overall question is still finding a definitive specimen photo and description for each species of this genus. Or even a few (2-3) photos that are of each species.

We can then always have photos that can be classified as 'likely' to be that species, but of a variation.

I think there is still the question as to the photos of what is known as the dwarf African bullfrog, here in the US, possibly being some cross.

What are your thoughts? Who are you working with in Africa?(you can pm if you like)

[tgampper]

Hi Jeff:

I don't think we can get a definitive picture of the two species. There are many variations among populations. There are other factors to consider:

1) are we seeing hybrids?
2) some scientists are convinced that P. edulis is just a subspecies of P. adspersus
3) some scientists believe P. aspersus and P. edulis are one in the same species
4) the markings of juvenile P. adspersus and P. edulis are very much alike

It seems that there are differences between adults:

1) adspersus is larger, more widespread geographically, has a uniform green color and lack a pattern
2) edulis is smaller, more colorful and has a complex pattern, lives in lowland areas

P. a. angusticeps is highly unlikely to be found in the commercial market since they are only found in a small area of northern Mozambique.

The mystery rolls on, but I hope to get some expert answers.

[onedge30]

Terry,

Let me check with another source and see if they could help. There is a brand new book coming out on Pyxicephalus in early 2011.

[sgreer14]

I have been researching all of this in my spare time. im also confused look at this frog and tell me what you think. he is growing fatter and looks like the edulis. but hes only about 8 months old. any idea on what he could be?

[willtilian]

edulis

[onedge30]

edulis

[nerodia]

hello

i'm new to this forum and am trying to load the id page up for pyxies that is listed in this page but I can't get it to work
http://xenopus.freeshell.org/abig.doc

does anyone have a pdf they can send me?

stuart