High Levels of Diversity Uncovered in a Widespread Nominal Taxon: Continental Phylogeography of the Neotropical Tree Frog

Species distributed across vast continental areas and across major biomes provide unique model systems for studies of biotic diversification, yet also constitute daunting financial, logistic and political challenges for data collection across such regions. The tree frog Dendropsophus minutus (Anura: Hylidae) is a nominal species, continentally distributed in South America, that may represent a complex of multiple species, each with a more limited distribution. To understand the spatial pattern of molecular diversity throughout the range of this species complex, we obtained DNA sequence data from two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and the 16S rhibosomal gene (16S) for 407 samples of D. minutus and closely related species distributed across eleven countries, effectively comprising the entire range of the group. We performed phylogenetic and spatially explicit phylogeographic analyses to assess the genetic structure of lineages and infer ancestral areas. We found 43 statistically supported, deep mitochondrial lineages, several of which may represent currently unrecognized distinct species. One major clade, containing 25 divergent lineages, includes samples from the type locality of D. minutus. We defined that clade as the D. minutus complex. The remaining lineages together with the D. minutus complex constitute the D. minutus species group. Historical analyses support an Amazonian origin for the D. minutus species group with a subsequent dispersal to eastern Brazil where the D. minutus complex originated. According to our dataset, a total of eight mtDNA lineages have ranges >100,000 km2. One of them occupies an area of almost one million km2 encompassing multiple biomes. Our results, at a spatial scale and resolution unprecedented for a Neotropical vertebrate, confirm that widespread amphibian species occur in lowland South America, yet at the same time a large proportion of cryptic diversity still remains to be discovered

Una nueva especie de rana de cristal del género Hyalinobatrachium (Anura: Centrolenidae) del Delta del Río Orinoco, Venezuela

Se describe una nueva especie de Hyalinobatrachium del grupo fleischmanni, H. mondolfii, de las planicies inundables del delta del río Orinoco, Venezuela. Hyalinobatrachium mondolfii se distingue del resto de las especies del grupo por la siguiente combinación de caracteres: peritoneo parietal translúcido, pericardio y peritoneos visceral y hepático blancos, coloración dorsal en vida verde claro con diminutos puntos amarillos y en preservativo crema uniforme con diminutos melanóforos oscuros (visibles solo bajo magnificación, huesos blancos en vida, palmeadura de manos y pies extensa, cabeza redondeada en vista dorsal e inclinada en vista lateral, piel dorsal granular y un canto con frecuencia fundamental superior a los 5 000 Hz<br>A new species of Hyalinobatrachium of the fleischmanni group, H. mondolfii, is described from the Orinoco delta floodplains in Venezuela. This new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: parietal peritoneum clear, pericardium white, visceral and hepatic peritoneum white, color in life pale green with diminute yellow spots and, in preservative, cream with small dark melanophores (visible only under magnification), bones white in life, extense webbing, snout round in dorsal view and inclinate in lateral view, dorsal skin granulate and a advertisement call with a fundamental frequency greater than 5000 H

Una nueva especie de rana de cristal del género Hyalinobatrachium (Anura: Centrolenidae) del Delta del Río Orinoco, Venezuela

Se describe una nueva especie de Hyalinobatrachium del grupo fleischmanni, H. mondolfii, de las planicies inundables del delta del río Orinoco, Venezuela. Hyalinobatrachium mondolfii se distingue del resto de las especies del grupo por la siguiente combinación de caracteres: peritoneo parietal translúcido, pericardio y peritoneos visceral y hepático blancos, coloración dorsal en vida verde claro con diminutos puntos amarillos y en preservativo crema uniforme con diminutos melanóforos oscuros (visibles solo bajo magnificación, huesos blancos en vida, palmeadura de manos y pies extensa, cabeza redondeada en vista dorsal e inclinada en vista lateral, piel dorsal granular y un canto con frecuencia fundamental superior a los 5 000 Hz.A new species of Hyalinobatrachium of the fleischmanni group, H. mondolfii, is described from the Orinoco delta floodplains in Venezuela. This new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: parietal peritoneum clear, pericardium white, visceral and hepatic peritoneum white, color in life pale green with diminute yellow spots and, in preservative, cream with small dark melanophores (visible only under magnification), bones white in life, extense webbing, snout round in dorsal view and inclinate in lateral view, dorsal skin granulate and a advertisement call with a fundamental frequency greater than 5000 Hz

Resurrection of hyalinobatrachium orocostale and notes on the hyalinobatrachium orientale species complex (Anura: Centrolenidae)

Hyalinobatrachium orientale has a complex taxonomic history suggesting that more than one species could be under this name. In this review, we try to clarify the current taxonomic status of this species by means of morphological, bioacoustic, and mitochondrial DNA sequence comparisons of specimens from Tobago Island and the Venezuelan Cordillera de la Costa (Oriental Sector, Cordillera del Litoral and Cordillera del Interior). Our data support the resurrection of Hyalinobatrachium orocostale, restricted to the Cordillera del Interior. Additionally, specimens from Cordillera del Litoral and Oriental Sector do not form a monophyletic group; hence, we define as Hyalinobatrachium sp. the populations from Cordillera del Litoral and H. orientale sensu stricto the populations from the Oriental Sector. Preliminary bioacoustic and morphological analyses indicate that the populations from Tobago are conspecific with Hyalinobatrachium orientale sensu stricto. © 2008 by The Herpetologists' League, Inc.Peer Reviewe

Second record of the invasive gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris (Duméril & Bibron, 1836) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Venezuela

Lepidodactylus lugubris is a small gekkonid lizard, predominantly parthenogenetic, with a widespread distribution in Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean islands, continental Asia, and well established exotic populations in the continental America and the Caribbean. Herein, we report the second inland locality for this gecko in Venezuela, extending its distribution ca. 126 km east from the only locality previously reported for the country (Naguanagua, Carabobo state). Based on the first record, the species was introduced in Venezuela at least seven years ago, but until now apparently remains uncommon and localized

First record of the treefrog Myersiohyla neblinaria (Anura: Hylidae) for Cerro Aracamuni, in the south of the Venezuelan Amazon

Abstract. Until now, the treefrog Myersiohyla neblinaria was only known from four highland localities on the northern slope of Cerro de la Neblina, in the southern part of Amazonas state, Venezuela. In this note we document the first record of this species for the summit of Cerro Aracamuni, a table-top mountain located ca. 40 km north from Cerro de la Neblina. This is the fourth anuran species known for the poorly explored Aracamuni. We briefly discuss some implications of this new finding.Primer registro de la rana arbor&iacute;cola Myersiohyla neblinaria (Anura: Hylidae) para el Cerro Aracamuni, en el sur de la Amazonia venezolana Resumen. Hasta ahora, la rana arbor&iacute;cola Myersiohyla neblinaria era conocida solo de cuatro localidades en la ladera norte del Cerro de la Neblina, en la parte sur del estado Amazonas, Venezuela. En esta nota documentamos el primer registro de la especie para la cima del Cerro Aracamuni, un tepui localizado a unos 40 km al norte del Cerro de la Neblina. Esta es la cuarta especie de anuro conocida para el poco explorado Aracamuni.&nbsp; Discutimos brevemente algunas de las implicaciones de este nuevo hallazgo

Discovery of an additional piece of the large gymnophthalmid puzzle: a new genus and species of stream spiny lizard (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae: Cercosaurinae) from the western Guiana Shield in Venezuela

[EN] Gymnophthalmids are a highly diverse group of Neotropical lizards and its species richness is still in process of discovery. The incorporation of molecular evidence and a noticeable increase in taxon and geographic sampling in systematic studies has led to the description of numerous new genera and species of gymnophthalmids (particularly in Cercosaurinae) in recent years. Herein we describe a new genus and species of cercosaurine lizard with crocodile-like morphology, from the Venezuelan Guiana Shield on the basis of molecular phylogenetic and morphological evidence. Kataphraktosaurusgen. nov. can be readily distinguished from all other genera of Cercosaurinae by a unique combination of morphological characters that includes heterogeneous dorsal scalation with enlarged and strongly keeled scales forming two paravertebral rows, ventral and subcaudal scales imbricated and strongly keeled, large and symmetrical cephalic scales, absence of postmental scale, palpebral disc translucent and divided, tail slightly compressed, all digits clawed, and only six femoral pores (three at each hindlimb) inserted in a clump of small scales. This genus is described as monotypic and only contains Kataphraktosaurus ungerhamiltonisp. nov., which is known from one specimen and diagnosed by the same set of aforementioned characters. The secretive habits of this species and the remoteness of the locality may explain its singleton situation. Following the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s criteria, we categorized the new species as Data Deficient.[ES] Gymnophthalmidae es un grupo de lagartos neotropicales muy diverso y su riqueza de especies aún está en proceso de descubrimiento. La incorporación de evidencia molecular y un incremento notable en el muestreo taxonómico y geográfico en estudios sobre su sistemática han resultado en la descripción de un gran número de géneros y especies nuevas de gymnoftálmidos (particularmente en Cercosaurinae) en años recientes. Aquí describimos un nuevo género y especie de lagarto cercosaurino con fenotipo cocodriloide, del Escudo Guayanés venezolano, a partir de análisis filogenéticos moleculares y caracteres morfológicos. Kataphraktosaurusgen. nov. se distingue de todos los demás géneros de Cercosaurinae por su combinación única de caracteres morfológicos que incluye un patrón de folidosis dorsal heterogéneo, con escamas agrandadas y fuertemente aquilladas formando dos filas paravertebrales, escamas ventrales y subcaudales imbricadas y fuertemente aquilladas, escamas cefálicas grandes y simétricas, ausencia de escama postmental, disco palpebral translúcido y dividido, cola ligeramente comprimida, todos los dedos con uñas, y solo seis poros femorales (tres en cada muslo) insertos en medio de una agrupación de pequeñas escamas. Este género, descrito como monotípico, solo incluye a Kataphraktosaurus ungerhamiltonisp. nov., conocida por un espécimen y cuya diagnosis consta del mismo conjunto de caracteres mencionados para el género. Los hábitos crípticos de esta especie y lo remoto de la localidad tipo pueden explicar el hecho de que sólo se conozca un ejemplar. Siguiendo los criterios de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza, asignamos a la nueva especie la categoría de Datos Insuficientes.Financial support was provided by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq, Brazil (SCF, grant #: 312744/ 2017-0), and the PrInt program of Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior, CAPES, Brazil (SCF, grant #: 88887.508359/2020-00).Peer reviewe

Integrative taxonomy reveals a new but common Neotropical treefrog, hidden under the name Boana xerophylla

International audienceBoana xerophylla is a common treefrog widely distributed in northern Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. A recent study found molecular, acoustic, and morphometric differences between the populations located on opposite sides of the Orinoco River. Here, we carry out an updated molecular phylogenetic analysis, including new samples from all the countries along the distribution area, and analyzed additional call recordings from Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. Our phylogenetic inference reveals three geographically restricted lineages: one in the eastern Guiana Shield (corresponding to B. xerophylla sensu stricto), another in the western Guiana Shield, and a third one north of the Orinoco River. Morphological and acoustic data agree with the differentiation between the populations north of the Orinoco River and the eastern Guiana Shield despite the low genetic p-distances observed (16S rRNA: 0.7–2.2 %). We argue that the populations north of the Orinoco River correspond to a new species, sister of B. xerophylla. We name and describe Boana platanera sp. nov. from the southern versant of the Cordillera de Mérida (08º48’26’’ N, 70º30’46’’ W, WGS 84; 947 m asl), Venezuela, and refer all the populations north of the Orinoco River currently identified as B. xerophylla to this species. The new species can be readily diagnosed from B. xerophylla (characters of the latter in parentheses) by a pale orange-yellow or light brown dorsal coloration (dark brown to green), palpebral membrane with dark pigments (pigments absent); pericloacal region dark brown (cream), advertisement call with shorter first note length than B. xerophylla. This study represents an empirical example regarding false negatives behind genetic thresholds for species discovery, appraising the use of integrative taxonomic approaches

Humedales interiores de Colombia: identificación, caracterización y establecimiento de límites según criterios biológicos y ecológicos

Con la presente obra, el Instituto Alexander von Humboldt busca difundir múltiples aportes de reconocidos especialistas y con ello propone una serie de criterios conceptuales y metodológicos asociados al estudio de la biota acuática, para la caracterización e identificación de límites en los humedales interiores de Colombia.Bogotá, D. C., ColombiaInstituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humbold

Fauna Silvestre del Escudo Guayanés (Colombia- Venezuela)

El libro recoge los resultados de las investigaciones realizadas acerca de la fauna silvestre del Escudo Guayanés en ambos países. En el caso venezolano, desde hace varias décadas -podríamos hablar casi desde la mitad del siglo pasado- y en Colombia, de manera mucho más reciente, apenas en los últimos 15 años. En diez capítulos, se muestra la información sobre los anfibios, reptiles, aves y mamíferos, acompañado de una descripción desde el punto de vista físico y biótico de la Guayana, para finalizar con las conclusiones y recomendaciones más importantes para conservar este patrimonio natural. Trece investigadores de cuatro ONG, cinco universidades y cuatro instituciones oficiales de Colombia y Venezuela, aunaron esfuerzos para terminar este trabajo en un tiempo record. Son muchas las interrogantes que aún persisten y sobre todo un enorme desconocimiento de muchas áreas de esta geografía remota que nos queda por descubrir. Esta obra es el primer paso de un largo recorrido que nos queda por transitar, ojalá antes de que El Dorado desaparezca ante nuestros ojos