Phylogeny of Breviceps based on the Rhodopsin 1 gene

Phylogenetic relationships of microhylid frogs are poorly understood. The first comprehensive molecular-based phylogenetic analysis for African microhylid genera was recently presented (Loader et al., 2004 ). This study sampled all subfamilies and six of the eight genera found in continental Africa. However, there were only two samples of Breviceps, a genus found in arid to semiarid areas of southern Africa, included in the analysis, both of Breviceps mossambicus (Frost, 2004). Therefore, the goal of this project is to assess a hypothesis of evolutionary relationships for Breviceps species based on the nuclear gene Rhodopsin 1 (Rhodl). Tissue samples from 13 individuals representing 9 of the 15 currently recognized species in the genus were obtained. DNA was isolated, amplified, purified, and sequenced using standard protocols (Hillis et al., 1996). Sequence data for a fragment of approximately 350 base pairs (bps) of Rhodl were collected. Probreviceps served as the outgroup in the analysis. Herein I present a hypothesis of evolutionary relationships for the species of Breviceps