Pyxicephalus Differences

[Malachi]

An adspersus looks like adspersus.

An edulis can look a lot different from edulis.

This is what is weird/confusing, not just color but shape it seems too.

And then you have the frogs that seem to be a mix

It would be nice to be able to match all the edulis morphs to the region they are from.

[onedge30]

Malachi, I am right with you. This is less clear to me now, then when this thread started. I guess I was completely off, thinking we could find a concrete physical description with an image for each species.

[tgampper]

Don't get discouraged

We have come a long way in coming to a conclusion in this "great debate". John mentioned back when this thread began that is wasn't going to be straight forward. I thought it would be easy too. Was I wrong!

Here are some photos:

P. edulis
Pyxicephalus edulis | AFRICAN AMPHIBIANS LIFEDESK

P. adspersus
Pyxicephalus | AFRICAN AMPHIBIANS LIFEDESK

[onedge30]

Terry, Here is some further confirmation of what we are finding.

These are P. adspersus:



These are P. edulis:




I will have to send you the location information and copyright.

Other tid bits: From Caroline Yetman, SA field researcher

"Yes, I examined genetic variation among P. adspersus collected from different localities mainly in Gauteng Province, using universal cyt. b primers. I also used ND2 and 16s primers to look at genetic variation between P. adspersus and P. edulis. This data indicates that P. adspersus and P. edulis are 2 distinct species. The male advertisement call is currently the most reliable trait to distinguish between P. adspersus and P. edulis."

"Yes, many photographed and even preserved museum specimens have been incorrectly identified. As you have noticed, the problem is worst for P. edulis. I have also yet to come across a photo or specimen of P. obbianus."


"It's difficult to say. The specimen in the photograph with the white background is possibly a variant of P. adspersus from, e.g. the Free State Province in South Africa, where P. adspersus is smaller, and produces a slightly different call compared to P. adspersus in Gauteng Province."


"The specimen in the photograph with the black background is possibly a variant of P. edulis or P. adspersus from, e.g. Botswana, or possibly a new species of Pyxicephalus. I obtained a tissue sample from such a specimen in Botswana, and used the ND2 and 16s primers, which revealed that it was highly genetically differentiated from P. adspersus and P. edulis."

[Malachi]

WOW! great post! Look all different frogs. This is a very interesting discussion. Look all different frogs.

What do you guys think on mine?

[John]

The frog in the 5th photo isn't edulis, going on the work we've done.

[willtilian]

2nd to the bottom or 3rd edulis is your frog malachi my edulis looked like the last one and the first edulis

[Kevin1]

The frog in the 5th photo isn't edulis, going on the work we've done.

I was thinking the same thing.

[onedge30]

The frog in the 5th photo isn't edulis, going on the work we've done.

I think it is going to depend on which traits are dominant over others. The 5th photo of a very dark pixie has tympanum/ eye ratio of edulis, has stripe of edulis and coloration of edulis throat?