Congo Research

Congo Basin

Congo Basin

A bowl-shaped depression surrounding the Congo River, spanning 6 countries and covering 3 million km2 of tropical forest.

Biodiversity in Congo Basin

The region is poorly explored but rich in biodiversity, with species like the Okapi, Bonobo, Congo Peacock, and Western Lowland Gorillas.

Allopatric Diversification

Proposed by Kingdon in 1989, the Congo Basin is seen as an evolutionary whirlpool advocating diversification through climate-induced range expansion and contraction.

Herp Endemicity

Endemic species of amphibians and reptiles in the Congo Basin include Amietophrynus, Hyperolius, Osteolaemus, and Lepidothyris.

Schlerophrys Toads

Three known Congo Basin toads - Sclerophrys camerunesis, Sclerophrys gracilipes, and Schlero Latifrons - show cryptic diversity and a rapid radiation pattern.

Speciation Patterns

The Congo Basin toads exhibit a speciation node around 7-14 million years ago, supporting the refugee hypothesis and the role of forest refugia and river barriers in speciation.

Areas of Endemism

The Congo Basin is a center of speciation with multiple areas of endemism, challenging the previous notion of only 4 areas of endemism in Africa and highlighting the diverse patterns of species distribution.