Habitats and dispersal of Southern African Anura

Abstract

The data required to make it possible to relate dispersal of southern African Anura to the habitats occupied are considered. Habitat must be defined in terms of breeding populations; data on the breeding seasons of the taxon under consideration are needed, with comparative data on possible competitors in the breeding sites. Possible routes of dispersal under present conditions are considered; the distribution of the habitats of some taxa are considered in relation to presumed past conditions. Possible centres of origin and dispersal of genera and species endemic to southern Africa are discussed.