A revision of species diversity in the Neotropical genus Oreobates (Anura: Strabomantidae), with the description of three new species from the Amazonian slopes of the Andes

We revisit species diversity within Oreobates (Anura: Strabomantidae) by combining molecular phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA amphibian barcode fragment with the study of the external morphology of living and preserved specimens. Molecular and morphological evidence support the existence of 23 species within Oreobates, and three additional candidate species (Oreobates sp. [Ca JF809995], Oreobates sp. [Ca EU368903], Oreobates cruralis [Ca EU192295]). We describe and name three new species from the Andean humid montane forests of Departamento Cusco, southern Peru: O. amarakaeri New Species from Rio Nusinuscato and Rio Mabe, at elevations ranging from 670 to 1000 m in the Andean foothills; O. machiguenga, new species, from Rio Kimbiri (1350 m), a small tributary of the Apurimac River, in the western versant of Cordillera Vilcabamba; and O. gemcare, new species, from the Kosnipata Valley at elevations ranging from 2400 to 2800 m. The three new species are readily distinguished from all other Oreobates by at least one qualitative morphological character. Three species are transferred to Oreobates from three genera of Strabomantidae: Hypodactylus lundbergi, Pristimantis crepitans, and Phrynopus ayacucho (for which the advertisement call, coloration in life, and male characteristics are described for first time). Oreobates simmonsi is transferred to the genus Lynchius. Hylodes verrucosus is considered a junior synonym of Hylodes philippi. In addition, H. philippi is removed from the synonymy of O. quixensis and considered a nomem dubium within Hypodactylus. The inclusion of Phrynopus ayacucho in Oreobates extends the ecological range of the genus to the cold Andean puna. Oreobates is thus distributed from the Amazonian lowlands in southern Colombia to northern Argentina, reaching the Brazilian Atlantic dry forests in eastern Brazil, across an altitudinal range from ca. 100 to 3850 m.

A relict new species of Oreobates (Anura, Strabomantidae) from the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and its implication to the biogeography of the genus and that of South American Dry Forests

A new species of Oreobates is described from Cavernas do Peruacu National Park, Januaria, Minas Gerais state, in the Atlantic Dry Forests of Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all other Oreobates by having the following combination of characters: large tympanum, discs broadly enlarged and truncate on Fingers III and IV, smooth dorsal skin, nuptial pads absent, snout subacuminate, and a very short pulsatile (2-3 pulses) single-noted advertisement call with dominant frequency of about 3150 Hz, and no harmonic structure. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome b (cyt b) and 16S using multiple outgroups recovered the new species within Oreobates and sister to O. heterodactylus. The latter species inhabits the Dry Forests of Mato Grosso (Cerrado) and Bolivia (Chiquitano forests), and is strictly associated to these habitats, which suggests a preterit connection between Chiquitano and Atlantic Dry Forests. The discovery of a new Oreobates in the Atlantic Dry Forest is of great importance for the conservation of these dry forests, as it is known only from this type of habitat.

HELMINTH PARASITES OF HYPSIBOAS PRASINUS (ANURA: HYLIDAE) FROM TWO ATLANTIC FOREST FRAGMENTS, SAO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL

Seventy-seven males of Hypsiboas prasinus from 2 Atlantic forest fragments in the municipalities of Botucatu and Jundiai, sao Paulo State, Brazil, were examined for endoparasites. The frogs were captured in summer (January until March) and winter (July/August) of 2008 and 2009. Thirty-three males (75%) from Botucatu were infected with Rhabdias cf. fuelleborni, cosmocerciid nematodes, and Cylindrotaenia americana. Twenty-five tree frogs (78.5%) from Jundiai were infected by Rhabdias cf. fuelleborni, Physaloptera sp., and cosmocerciid nematodes. Only cosmocerciid nematodes presented a statistically significance difference in prevalence (z = 4.345; P < 0.001) and mean abundance (t = 562.0; P < 0.001) between Botucatu and Jundiai during the winter. Also, the cosmocerciids exhibited higher mean abundance (t = 196.0; P = 0.034) in winter when compared with summer at the Jundiai site. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the first report of C. americana in the Brazilian Hylidae. This study presents 4 new records of nematodes in H. prasinus.

A new species of the Bokermannohyla circumdata group (Anura: Hylidae) from southeastern Brazil, with bioacoustic data on seven species of the genus

We describe a new species of the Bokermannohyla circumdata group from the Estacao de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Ambiental Galheiro (EPDA-Galheiro) (19 degrees 12'S; 47 degrees 08'W), Municipality of Perdizes, State of Minas Gerais, a mid-altitudinal (similar or equal to 850 m above sea level) riparian forest environment in the Cerrado of southeastern Brazil. Bokermannohyla napolii sp. nov. is allied to the large-sized species of the group, diagnosed on the basis of adult morphology/morphometrics, and mainly vocalizations. Adult specimens of the new species are most closely related to those of B. luctuosa and B. circumdata, but can be differentiated from the former by having distal subarticular tubercle of finger III bifid/divided in males, and finger IV bifid/divided in males and females; and from both B. luctuosa and B. circumdata by a distinctive advertisement call structure. We also provide bioacoustic data on seven other species of the genus, including previously unknown advertisement calls of B. circumdata and B. carvalhoi, and re-description of the advertisement calls of B. luctuosa, B. ibitiguara, B. nanuzae, B. sazimai, and B. hylax.

On Advertisement Call Of The Poison Frog Ameerega Berohoka (dendrobatidae, Anura) From The Brazilian Cerrado.

The poison frog genus Ameerega (Dendrobatidae) currently contains 32 species. They are distributed from central Brazil into western Amazonia to the lower Andean versant. In addition, three trans-Andean species have been allocated to Ameerega (Andrade et al. 2013; Frost 2014). Ameerega berohoka (Vaz-Silva & Maciel 2011) was described based on specimens from central Brazil (type-locality: Arenópolis, GO) and it is assumed to occur in parts of western and southwestern state of Goiás (Frost 2014). More recently, Andrade et al. (2013) extended its distribution to the state of Mato Grosso. Here we re-describe the advertisement call of A. berohoka, providing additional information regarding its temporal structure and spectral traits. Our observations also consist of a new distribution record for this species to the state of Mato Grosso.

Comparative Cytogenetics Of Physalaemus albifrons And Physalaemus Cuvieri Species Groups (anura, leptodactylidae).

Recently, Physalaemus albifrons (Spix, 1824) was relocated from the Physalaemus cuvieri group to the same group as Physalaemus biligonigerus (Cope, 1861), Physalaemus marmoratus (Reinhardt & Lütken, 1862) and Physalaemus santafecinus Barrio, 1965. To contribute to the analysis of this proposition, we studied the karyotypes of Physalaemus albifrons, Physalaemus santafecinus and three species of the Physalaemus cuvieri group. The karyotype of Physalaemus santafecinus was found to be very similar to those of Physalaemus biligonigerus and Physalaemus marmoratus, which were previously described. A remarkable characteristic that these three species share is a conspicuous C-band that extends from the pericentromeric region almost to the telomere in the short arm of chromosome 3. This characteristic is not present in the Physalaemus albifrons karyotype and could be a synapomorphy of Physalaemus biligonigerus, Physalaemus marmoratus and Physalaemus santafecinus. The karyotype of Physalaemus santafecinus is also similar to those of Physalaemus marmoratus and Physalaemus biligonigerus owing to the presence of several terminal C-bands and the distal localization of the NOR in a small metacentric chromosome. In contrast, the Physalaemus albifrons karyotype has no terminal C-bands and its NOR is located interstitially in the long arm of submetacentric chromosome 8. The NOR-bearing chromosome of Physalaemus albifrons very closely resembles those found in Physalaemus albonotatus (Steindachner, 1864), Physalaemus cuqui Lobo, 1993 and some populations of Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger, 1826. Additionally, the Physalaemus albifrons karyotype has an interstitial C-band in chromosome 5 that has been exclusively observed in species of the Physalaemus cuvieri group. Therefore, we were not able to identify any chromosomal feature that supports the reallocation of Physalaemus albifrons.

A New Species Of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-ribeiro, 1926 (anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae) From Northwestern State Of São Paulo, Brazil.

A new species of Pseudopaludicola is described from human-altered areas originally covered by Semideciduous Forest in northwestern state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Morphologically, the new species differs from four species belonging to the P. pusilla group by the absence of either T-shaped terminal phalanges or toe tips expanded, and from all other congeners except P. canga and P. facureae by possessing an areolate vocal sac, with dark reticulation. The higher duration (300-700 ms) of each single, pulsed note (9-36 nonconcatenated pulses) that compose the call in the new species distinguishes it from all other 14 species of Pseudopaludicola with calls already described (10-290 ms). Absence of harmonics also differ the advertisement call of the new species from the call of its sister species P. facureae, even though these two species presented unexpected low genetic distances. Although we could not identify any single morphological character distinguishing the new species from P. facureae, a PCA and DFA performed using 12 morphometric variables evidenced significant size differences between these two species. 

The Tadpole Of Sphaenorhynchus Caramaschii, With Comments On Larval morphology Of Sphaenorhynchus (anura: Hylidae).

We describe the tadpole of Sphaenorhynchus caramaschii. It differs from tadpoles of other species of Sphaenorhynchus in having a short spiracle, submarginal papillae, and alternating short and large marginal papillae in the oral disc. Some larval characteristics, like morphology and position of the nostrils, length of the spiracle, and size of the marginal papillae on the oral disc are discussed for tadpoles of other species of Sphaenorhynchus.  

Vocalizations and comments on the relationships of Hypsiboas ericae (Amphibia, Hylidae)

The vocalizations of Hypsiboas ericae (Caramaschi & Cruz, 2000) are described and new information on the external morphology and osteology of the species are presented. H. ericae presents a bony spine in the prepolex and the individuals can present green or brown dorsal color, as other species of the Hypsiboas pulchellus (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) species group. The vocalizations of H. ericae are similar to the vocalizations of Hypsiboas bischoffi (Boulenger, 1887), Hypsiboas guentheri (Boulenger, 1886), and other species in the H. polytaenius (Cope, 1870 "1869") clade of the H. pulchellus species group, but some osteological aspects are different to those found in the majority of the species of this group.

Geographic call variation and further notes on habitat of Ameerega flavopicta (Anura, Dendrobatidae)

We describe habitat and inter-populational call variation of the dendrobatid frog Ameerega flavopicta. Data were collected in the Brazilian states ofminas Gerais and Goias. Principal component analysis separated the Goias population from others because of its higher call rates and shorter calls. The Paranaiba Rivermay represent themajor geographic barrier. We recognize the cephalic amplexus as themain type for the species. Although habitat disturbances increased since 1990, we did not notice differences in the density of callingmales at Serra do Cipo. Ameerega flavopicta appears to be quite resistant to alterations in its natural habitats caused by human activities.

Caracterização molecular de três espécies de Trachycephalus (Anura: Hylidae) : investigando potenciais híbridos interespecíficos

Animais híbridos representam um desafio à taxonomia e sistemática, pois correspondem a unidades evolutivas geralmente sem clara delimitação morfológica, comportamental e genética. Híbridos podem ser morfologicamente intermediários aos parentais ou, devido à introgressão e retrocruzamentos, suas características podem se misturar tornando difícil sua identificação. Uma das formas de identificação de híbridos é por meio de ferramentas de biologia molecular, que ao utilizarem marcadores de DNA mitocondrial (herança exclusiva materna) e DNA nuclear (herança materna e paterna), permitem a comparação entre informações genéticas. Além da hibridização existem outras fontes de conflito entre dados moleculares provenientes do DNA mitocondrial e DNA nuclear, como por exemplo a retenção de polimorfismos ancentrais. Em localidades do Espírito Santo, Brasil, foram coletados indivíduos de morfologia distinta de Trachycephalus mesophaeus e T. nigromaculatus, que são as únicas espécies do gênero conhecidas nesse estado. Porém, estudos piloto usando o gene mitocondrial Citocromo Oxidase subunidade I (COI) agruparam esses espécimes com amostras de T. typhonius. Devido a estas incongruências, foram sequenciados fragmentos de dois genes mitocondriais - COI e Nicotinamida Desidrogenase subunidade 2 (ND2) e um exon nuclear (tirosinase) de 173 indivíduos de Trachycephalus, de forma a esclarecer as identificações taxonômicas e investigar a correspondência entre caracteres morfológicos e genéticos nesta linhagem, na sua área de ocorrência As filogenias moleculares, divergências genéticas, redes de haplótipos e polimorfismos de nucleotídeos únicos (SNPs) confirmaram as três espécies acima mencionadas como linhagens evolutivas distintas e revelaram mais sete indivíduos potencialmente híbridos, mas morfologicamente assinalados a T. mesophaeus, T. nigromaculatus ou T. typhonius.. Devido à taxa de evolução lenta da tirosinase, as espécies mais recentes T. typhonius e T. nigromaculatus parecem não terem sido sorteadas completamente nesse gene. Já T. mesophaeus, que é a espécie mais antiga das três, foi recuperada inequivocamente em todas as análises. De forma inédita, as análises moleculares evidenciaram a ocorrência de introgressão bidirecional entre T. nigromaculatus e T. typhonius e entre T. nigromaculatus e T. mesophaeus, sendo que há indícios de indivíduos F1 (cruzamentos entre espécies parentais puras gerando híbridos). A utilização do gene ND2 mostrou-se mais eficiente do que o gene COI nas filogenias e, apesar da tirosinase ser um gene nuclear de evolução lenta, contribuiu para a identificação de incongruências citonucleares. Nossos resultados mostram que a história filogenética de Trachycephalus é complexa e que o uso de marcadores nucleares de evolução mais rápida e ampliação dessas análises para outras espécies do gênero podem revelar mais eventos de hibridização.

Amphibians and squamate reptiles from the lower Eocene of Silveirinha (Portugal)

Silveirinha (Portugal) has produced a diverse herpetofauna. In Europe, it is the only described assemblage of amphibians and squamate reptiles from the base of the Eocene (MP 7). The fauna includes at least two species of amphibians (belonging to the Salamandridae and perhaps the Pelobatidae) and at least 15 species of squamates (at least nine families: Iguanidae, Agamidae, Gekkonidae, one or two families of scincomorphans, Anguidae, ?Varanidae, Amphisbaenidae, Boidae, Tropidophiidae, and likely an indeterminate family of snakes). But, except for the snake Dunnophis matronensis, identifications at species level are not possible. The presence of iguanid lizards and of the snake D. matronensis in the base of the Eocene (MP 7) of Europe is confirmed. The fauna includes several squamates that show close affinities with North American taxa.

Reproductive biology of Ameerega trivittata (Anura: Dendrobatidae) in an area of terra firme forest in eastern Amazonia

The reproductive success of tropical amphibians is influenced by factors such as body size and the characteristics of breeding sites. Data on reproductive biology are important for the understanding of population dynamics and the maintenance of species. The objectives of the present study were to examine the abundance of Ameerega trivittata, analyze the use of microhabitats by calling males and the snout-vent length (SVL) of breeding males and females, the number of tadpoles carried by the males and mature oocytes in the females, as well as the relationship between the SVL of the female and both the number and mean size of the mature oocytes found in the ovaries. Three field trips were conducted between January and September, 2009. A total of 31 plots, with a mean area of 2.3 ha, were surveyed, resulting in records of 235 individuals, with a mean density of 3.26 individuals per hectare. Overall, 66.1% of the individuals sighted were located in the leaf litter, while 17.4% were perched on decaying tree trunks on the forest floor, 15.7% on the aerial roots of Cecropia trees, and 0.8% on lianas. Males were observed transporting a mean of 10.8 tadpoles on their backs. A significant correlation was found between the size of the females and the mean diameter of the oocytes. New data were collected on the size of oocytes and no pattern was found in the type of perches used by calling males of the different Ameerega species.

Gymnophoina (Amphibia apoda) bearbeitet von dr. Fr. Nieden ... Mit 20 abbildungen.

37