The Herpetological Journal
The Herpetological Journal is the Society's prestigious quarterly scientific journal. Articles are listed in Biological Abstracts, Current Awareness in Biological Sciences,Current Contents, Science Citation Index, and Zoological Record.
ISSN 0268-0130
2021 Impact Factor from Clarivate for the Herpetological Journal is 1.194, an increase of 0.332 from 2020.
pdf 06. A review of the taxonomy of the Hyperolius viridiflavus complex
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Open Access
pp.29-34
Authors: Ania M. Wieczorek , Alan Channing And Robert C . Drewes
Abstract: This paper reviews the problematic taxonomy of the superspecies Hyperolius viridiflavus (the senior synonym of H. marmoratus) (Anura: Hyperoliidae). The classifications proposed by various authors for the complex are summarized and compared. Significant differences in classification have resulted in the complex being divided into as few as three species (with numerous subspecies) or as many as 18 species (with a number of subspecies).The review shows that the taxonomy of this complex has not been resolved, as a consequence of dependence on the use of dorsal colour patterns as diagnostic characters. Colour pattern is polymorphic within taxa, and shows both geographical as well as non-geographical variation. Recent work has shown molecular techniques to be a valuable means of distinguishing tax a previously considered to be subspecies. It is proposed that the use of molecular techniques and phylogenetic analysis of these data is the most suitable means of resolving the taxonomy of the members of this complex.
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Please note that as from Volume 31 Number 1 (January 2021) on, the Herpetological Journal will be available as an online publication only - the last print edition will be Volume 30 Number 4.
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