Pyxicephalus cordofanus

Pyxicephalus cordofanus, also known as Rana cordofana, is a possible species of frog. It is a nomen dubium, a name of unknown application. Franz Steindachner, who described the species in 1867, specified neither a holotype nor syntypes. The syntypes are believed to be at the Natural History Museum, Vienna (NHMW), possibly including the specimen NHMW 2673.[3] The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists it as "data deficient", citing "continuing doubts as to its taxonomic validity, extent of occurrence, status and ecological requirements".[1]

Pyxicephalus cordofanus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Genus: "Pyxicephalus"
Species:
"P." cordofanus
Binomial name
"Pyxicephalus" cordofanus
Synonyms
  • Pyxicephalus cordofana Steindachner, 1867
  • Rana cordofana (Steindachner, 1867)

Description

The original species description, based on two specimens, is summarized as follows:[2]

Head considerably narrower, snout longer and sharper than in the two species mentioned earlier [=Pyxicephalus adspersus, Pyxicephalus delalandii]; Tongue roundish, at the posterior margin only very slightly constricted, tongue lobes very short; Back with brownish marbling and small spots; Tympanum (anatomy) indistinctly visible; A small clump on the outer edge of the metatarsus.

Distribution

It is only known from its type locality, "Cordofan", Egypt",[3] an area that falls within the present-day Sudan, thus making this taxon a Sudanese endemic.[1]

Ecology

The ecology of this taxon is unknown, but it is presumed to be an aquatic species.[1]

References
  1. El Din, Sherif Baha (2004). "Pyxicephalus cordofanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T58579A11788047. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T58579A11788047.en.
  2. Steindachner, F. (1867). Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Bafehlen des Commodore B. von Wüllerstorf-Urbair. Zologischer Theil. 1. Amphibien. Wien: K. K. Hof- und Staatsdruckerei. p. 8.
  3. Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Anura". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
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