SOME PROBLEMS DURING A STUDY OF THE LITERATURE ON AFRICAN ANURA

SUMMARY Literature on African Anura is being accumulated. The absence, or limited availability, in Africa of some relevant literature is pointed out. Problems in discovering the existence of some references, in establishing the relevance of some of these, in obtaining accurate bibliographic details, and in acquiring copies, are discussed. Increase in the amount of literature and in the number of African journals is discussed in relation to the effectiveness of abstracting journals such as Zoological Record and Science Citation Index. Problems of synonymy and/or authorship revealed by accumulated literature are illustrated by Xenopus and X. laevis Daudin, Tomopterna, and B. garmani Meek. Availability is related to validity of descriptions and copyright. Production of facsimiles, redescription with illustrations, planned scanning of aquarium/terrarium journal indices, and contribution to current bibliographies is suggested.