title: The tadpoles of nine Cameroonian Leptodactylodon species (Amphibia, Anura, Arthroleptidae).
abstract: We describe and compare the tadpoles of nine Leptodactylodon species from Cameroon. The tadpoles of Leptodactylodon bicolor, L. mertensi, L. ovatus, L. perreti and L. ventrimarmoratus are herein reinvestigated, partly based on larger series than previously available. In addition we present first descriptions for the tadpoles of L. boulengeri, L. erythrogaster, L. ornatus, and L. cf. polyacanthus. The morphology of these exotrophic, lotic and neustonic tadpoles is discussed in comparison with other stream-dwelling tadpoles. Based on the assumed biology of these tadpoles, living in interstices of gravel or debris, the functioning of several special morphological features, in particular the funnel-mouth of Leptodactylodon tadpoles, are interpreted.
authors.affiliation: Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Email: mo.roedel@mfn-berlin.de.
authors.forename: Lissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mapouyat
authors.affiliation: Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Mareike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirschfeld
authors.affiliation: Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Mark-Oliver
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Rödel
authors.affiliation: University of Basel, Department of Environmental Science (Biogeography), Klingelbergstr. 27, Basel 4056, Switzerland; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: H Christoph
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Liedtke
authors.affiliation: University of Basel, Department of Environmental Science (Biogeography), Klingelbergstr. 27, Basel 4056, Switzerland; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Simon P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Loader
authors.affiliation: Cameroon Herpetology-Conservation Biology Foundation (CAMHERP-CBF), PO Box 8218, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: L Nono
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Gonwouo
authors.affiliation: Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahmen
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Doherty-Bone
authors.affiliation: Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Barej
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D002163:Cameroon; D003710:Demography; D017753:Ecosystem; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity