Notes on the taxonomy of some Glassfrogs from the Andes of Peru and Ecuador (Amphibia: Centrolenidae)

We present new information on several species of centrolenid frogs from Ecuador and Peru that justify the placement of Centrolene fernandoi Duellman and Schulte as a junior synonym of Centrolenella audax Lynch and Duellman; Centrolenella puyoensis Flores & McDiarmid as a synonym of Centrolenella mariae Duellman & Toft; and Cochranella tangarana Duellman & Schulte as a synonym of Cochranella saxiscandens Duellman & Schulte.Presentamos nueva información sobre algunas especies de ranas centrolénidas de Ecuador y Perú que justifica colocar a Centrolene fernandoi Duellman and Schulte como sinónimo junior de Centrolenella audax Lynch and Duellman, Centrolenella puyoensis Flores & McDiarmid como sinónimo de Centrolenella mariae Duellman & Toft, y Cochranella tangarana Duellman & Schulte como sinónimo de Cochranella saxiscandens Duellman & Schulte

Notes on the taxonomy of some Glassfrogs from the Andes of Peru and Ecuador (Amphibia: Centrolenidae)

We present new information on several species of centrolenid frogs from Ecuador and Peru that justify the placement of Centrolene fernandoi Duellman and Schulte as a junior synonym of Centrolenella audax Lynch and Duellman; Centrolenella puyoensis Flores & McDiarmid as a synonym of Centrolenella mariae Duellman & Toft; and Cochranella tangarana Duellman & Schulte as a synonym of Cochranella saxiscandens Duellman & Schulte

Description of the tadpole of Cochranella resplendens and redescription of the tadpole of Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum (Anura, Centrolenidae)

Se describe el renacuajo de Cochranella resplendens y se redescribe el de Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum, incluyendo información sobre su variación ontogénica. Cochranella resplendens se caracteriza por tener un aparato oral sin inflexión intramarginal y un supraquerostoma casi recto, aunque ligeramente arqueado en la mitad. Por otro lado, H. aureoguttatum tiene un aparato oral con inflexión intramarginal; presenta un característico supraquerostoma en forma de "M" y pocas papilas intramarginales (1-5) en el labio superior. Ninguna de las dos especies mostró una variación significativa en el aparato oral durante su desarrollo (excepto en los estadios Gosner 24 y 42 en C. resplendens y 23-24 en H. aureoguttatum). Los cambios ontogénicos más evidentes fueron en el tamaño y la coloración.Descrevemos o girino de Cochranella resplendens e redescrevemos o girino de Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum, incluindo informação sobre sua variação ontogenética. Cochranella resplendens caracteriza-se por apresentar um aparato oral sem inflexão intramarginal e a porção superior do bico córneo quase reta, ainda que ligeiramente arqueado na porção mediana. Por outro lado, H. aureoguttatum possui aparato oral com inflexão intramarginal e apresenta a porção superior do bico córneo característica, em forma de "M", e poucas papilas intramarginais (1-5) no lábio superior. Nenhuma das duas espécies mostrou uma variação significativa no aparato oral durante o desenvolvimento (exceto nos estágios 24 e 42 de Gosner em C. resplendens e 23-24 em H. aureoguttatum). As mudanças ontogenéticas mais evidentes estão relacionadas com o tamanho e a coloração.The tadpole of Cochranella resplendens is described and that of Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum is redescribed; information on their ontogenetic variation also is included. Cochranella resplendens is characterized by having a non-emarginated oral apparatus and an upper jaw sheath nearly straight with a smooth arch in the middle. Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum has an emarginated oral apparatus with a characteristic M-shaped upper jaw sheath and bears few (1-5) submarginal papillae on the upper labium. Although the two species show few changes in the oral apparatus during their development (except for changes in Gosner Stages 24 and 42 in C. resplendens and 23-24 in H. aureoguttatum), there are major ontogenetic changes in size and coloration

Evolutionary trade-offs between testes size and parenting in Neotropical glassfrogs.

In males, large testes size signifies high sperm production and is commonly linked to heightened sperm competition levels. It may also evolve as a response to an elevated risk of sperm depletion due to multiple mating or large clutch sizes. Conversely, weapons, mate or clutch guarding may allow individuals to monopolize mating events and preclude sperm competition, thereby reducing the selection of large testes. Herein, we examined how paternal care, sexual size dimorphism (SSD), weaponry and female fecundity are linked to testes size in glassfrogs. We found that paternal care was associated with a reduction in relative testes size, suggesting an evolutionary trade-off between testes size and parenting. Although females were slightly larger than males and species with paternal care tended to have larger clutches, there was no significant relationship between SSD, clutch size and relative testes size. These findings suggest that the evolution of testes size in glassfrogs is influenced by sperm competition risk, rather than sperm depletion risk. We infer that clutch guarding precludes the risk of fertilization by other males and consequently diminishes selective pressure for larger testes. Our study highlights the prominent role of paternal care in the evolution of testes size in species with external fertilization

Two new species of terrestrial frogs of the Pristimantis gladiator complex (Anura, Strabomantidae) from the Ecuadorian Andes, with insights on their biogeography and skull morphology

The explosive diversity of rainfrogs (Pristimantis spp) reaches its highest levels in the mountains of the Tropical Andes, with remarkable cryptic species mainly in unexplored areas of Ecuador. Based on phylogenetics, morphometric traits, skull osteology and bioacoustics, we describe two new species of Pristimantis, previously confused with Pristimantis gladiator, that belong to the subgenus Trachyphrynus traditionally known as the Pristimantis myersi species group. The two new taxa are closely related, but have allopatric distributions. We discuss the importance of the Quijos and Pastaza River valleys in the diversification along Amazonian slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes

Uncovering hidden specific diversity of Andean glassfrogs of the Centrolene buckleyi species complex (Anura: Centrolenidae)

The glassfrog Centrolene buckleyi has been recognized as a species complex. Herein, using coalescence-based species delimitation methods, we evaluate the specific diversity within this taxon. Four coalescence approaches (generalized mixed Yule coalescents, Bayesian general mixed Yule-coalescent, Poisson tree processes, and Bayesian Poisson tree processes) were consistent with the delimitation results, identifying four lineages within what is currently recognized as C. buckleyi. We propose three new candidate species that should be tested with nuclear markers, morphological, and behavioral data. In the meantime, for conservation purposes, candidate species should be considered evolutionary significant units, in light of observed population crashes in the C. buckleyi species complex. Finally, our results support the validity of C. venezuelense, formerly considered as a subspecies of C. buckleyi

Advertisement and combat calls of the glass frog Centrolene lynchi (Anura: Centrolenidae), with notes on combat and reproductive behaviors

Se describen los cantos de anuncio y de combate de la rana de cristal Centrolene lynchi, una especie endémica de los bosques nublados del Ecuador. El canto de anuncio típico consiste en una nota tonal seguida por 1-3 notas pulsadas, cada una de las cuales tiene 1-3 pulsos. Entre la variación observada en el canto de anuncio está la adición de una nota corta que precede a la tonal, así como también la ausencia de esta última. Estas modificaciones son similares a las observadas en otros anuros y pueden estar relacionadas a la presencia de hembras, otros machos, depredadores y/o cambios en el ruido ambiental. Adicionalmente, se describe el canto de combate emitido durante las peleas entre machos. El combate entre machos es similar al observado en otras especies de la subfamilia Centroleninae y ha sido hipotetizado como una sinapomorfía de la misma. Finalmente, se presenta información sobre los hábitos reproductivos de los machos, cuidado parental y desarrollo de las puestas de huevos.We describe the advertisement and combat calls, combat behavior, and reproductive behavior of the glass frog Centrolene lynchi, an endemic species of the cloud forests of Ecuador. The typical advertisement call consists of a tonal note and 1-3 peaked notes, each with 1-3 pulses. Variations on this advertisement call include the addition of a short note before the tonal note, as well as the absence of the tonal note. These modifications may be similar to the described call modifications of other anurans in response to the presence of conspecific females and males, potential predators and/or changes in the sound environment. Additionally, we describe the combat call emitted during previously undescribed venter-to-venter combat between males. The discovery of this combat behavior is consistent with the hypothesis that venter-to-venter combat behavior is a shared derived trait of the subfamily Centroleninae. Finally, we describe male reproductive habits and development of the species, including egg attendance by males and implied male parental care.Descrevemos aqui os cantos de anúncio e de combate de Centrolene lynchi, uma espécie endêmica dos bosques nublados do Equador. O canto de anúncio típico consiste en uma nota tonal seguida por 1-3 notas pulsadas, cada uma das quais com 1-3 pulsos. Entre a variação observada no canto de anúncio está a adição de uma nota curta que precede a nota tonal e a ausência desta última. Essas modificações são similares às observadas em outros anuros e podem estar relacionadas com a presença de fêmeas, outros machos, predadores e/ou mudanças no ruído do ambiente. Adicionalmente, descrevemos o canto de combate emitido durante as lutas entre machos. O combate entre machos é similar ao observado em outras espécies da sub-família Centroleninae e já foi hipotetizado como uma sinapomorfía do grupo. Finalmente, apresentamos informações sobre os hábitos reprodutivos dos machos, cuidado parental e desenvolvimento dos ovos

Molecular phylogeny of atractus (Serpentes, dipsadidae), with emphasis on Ecuadorian species and the description of three new taxa

Volume: 661Start Page: 91End Page: 12

Una llamativa nueva especie de Pristimantis (Anura: Terrana: Strabomantidae) de las estribaciones noroccidentales de los Andes de Ecuador

We describe a new species of the diverse genus Pristimantis. The new species is characterized by having a green dorsum with reddish marks, acuminate snout with papilla at tip, conical ulnar and tarsal tubercles, and by lacking cranial crests. The new species inhabits the northwestern Andean slopes of Ecuador.Describimos una nueva especie de rana del diverso género Pristimantis. La nueva especie se caracteriza principalmente por tener una coloración dorsal verde con manchas rojizas, rostro acuminado con papila en la punta, tubérculos cónicos ulnares y tarsales, y por la ausencia de crestas craneales. La especie se distribuye en la vertiente noroccidental de los Andes del Ecuador

Two new glassfrogs (Centrolenidae: Hyalinobatrachium) from Ecuador, with comments on the endangered biodiversity of the Andes.

Background The Tropical Andes is the world's most biodiverse hotspot. This region contains >1,000 amphibian species, more than half of which are endemic. Herein we describe two new glassfrog species (Centrolenidae: Hyalinobatrachium) that we discovered within relatively unexplored and isolated localities of the Ecuadorian Andes. Methods We employed morphological, acoustic, and molecular methods to test the hypothesis that Hyalinobatrachium mashpi sp. nov and H. nouns sp. nov. are species new to science. Following standard methods, we generated mitochondrial sequences (16S) of 37 individuals in the genus Hyalinobatrachium. We inferred the phylogenetic relationships of the two new species in comparison to all other glassfrogs using Maximum Likelihood. In addition to describing the call of H. mashpi sp. nov., we performed a discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) with the advertisement call characteristics of several congeners. Results Based on an integrative taxonomy approach, we describe two new species. Morphological traits and the inferred phylogeny unambiguously place the new taxa in the genus Hyalinobatrachium. Both species are distinguished from other glassfrogs mainly by their dorsal coloration (i.e., dorsum lime green with small light yellow spots, head usually with interorbital bar) and transparent pericardium (i.e., the heart is visible through the ventral skin). The new species exhibit a high morphological similarity (i.e., cryptic) and occur within relatively close geographical proximity (closest aerial distance = 18.9 km); however, their uncorrected p distance for the mitochondrial gene 16S is 4.6-4.7%, a value that greatly exceeds the genetic distance between closely related species of centrolenid frogs. The DAPC revealed that the advertisement call of H. mashpi sp. nov. is acoustically distinct. Discussion Our findings are congruent with several previous studies that report a high degree of endemism in the Toisán mountain range, which appears to be isolated from the main Andean cordillera for some amphibian groups. We recommend that both H. mashpi sp. nov. and H. nouns sp. nov. be listed as Endangered, following IUCN criteria. These new species provide another example of cryptic diversity in the Andes-further evidence that the region fosters much more biodiversity than we have the resources to catalog. Threatened by mining and other exploitative industries, these glassfrogs and many other yet-to-be-discovered Andean species highlight the dire need for effective conservation measures-especially in northwestern Ecuador