Cryptic Diversity in the Neotropical Gecko Genus \u3cem\u3ePhyllopezus\u3c/em\u3e Peters, 1878 (Reptilia: Squamata: Phyllodactylidae): A New Species from Paraguay

The gecko genus Phyllopezus is distributed mainly along South America’s “Dry Diagonal” (Caatinga, Cerrado, and Chaco). The genus has been the subject of recent taxonomic analyses and includes four described species and seven candidate species referred to here as Phyllopezus pollicaris sensu lato. In Paraguay, Phyllopezus is known from the Chaco and Cerrado where it is abundant, and also from a small isolated population from a rocky hill formation named “Cordillera de Los Altos” (Los Altos mountain range). Here we analyzed genetic samples from across its range, including new samples from Paraguay, using DNA barcoding analysis of the mitochondrial 16S gene and phylogenetic analyses using both Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods. We found genetic and morphological differences among geckos from the Los Altos mountain range and the remaining Phyllopezus populations. Using both molecular and morphological evidence we describe a new Phyllopezus species, sister toP. przewalskii. Genetic differentiation among described and putative Phyllopezus species is greater than their morphological differences, which likely accounts for these cryptic taxa remaining undescribed for so long

A new golden frog species of the genus Diasporus (Amphibia, Eleutherodactylidae) from the Cordillera Central, western Panama

We describe the frog species Diasporus citrinobapheussp. n. from the Cordillera Central of western Panama. The new species differs from all other species in its genus in coloration, disk cover and disk pad shape, skin texture, advertisement call, and size. It is most similar to Diasporus tigrillo, from which it differs in dorsal skin texture, relative tibia length, number of vomerine teeth, ventral coloration, dorsal markings, and relative tympanum size, and to Diasporus gularis, from which it can be distinguished by the lack of membranes between the toes, adult size, posterior thigh coloration, and position of the choanae. We provide data on morpho- logy, vocalization, and distribution of the new species, as well as brief information on its natural history.Describimos la especie de rana Diasporus citrinobapheus sp. n. de la Cordillera Central, occidente de Panamá. La nueva especie se distingue de otras especies del género por su coloración, su forma de la cubierta y la almohadilla de los discos, textura de la piel, canto de anúncio, y tamaño corporal. Se asemeja mas a D. tigrillo, del cual se distingue por la textura de la piel dorsal, longitud relativa de la tibia, número de dientes vomerianos, coloración ventral, patrón dorsal, y tamaño relativo del tímpano, y a D. gularis, del cual se diferencia por la ausencia de membranas entre los dedos de pie, tamaño corporal, coloración de la parte trasera del muslo, y posición de las coanas. Presentamos datos de la morfología, vocalización, y distribución de la nueva especie, así como notas concisas de su historia natural

Field notes on findings of threatened amphibian species in the central mountain range of western Panama

During field work along a transect in the Cordillera Central of western Panama between 2008 and 2010, we detected several populations of amphibian species which are considered as “Endangered” or “Critically Endangered” by the IUCN. Some of these species had suffered from serious population declines, probably due to chytridiomycosis, but all are generally threatened by habitat loss. We detected 53% of the Endangered and 56% of the Critically Endangered amphibian species that have previously been reported from within the investigated area. We report on findings of species that have not been found in Panama for many years, and provide locality data of newly discovered populations. There is a need to create a new protected area in the Cerro Colorado area of the Serranía de Tabasará, where we found 15% of the Endangered and Critically Endangered amphibian species known to Panama.Durante trabajo de campo en un transecto a lo largo de la Cordillera Central en el oeste de Panamá entre 2008 y 2010, encontramos varias poblaciones de anfibios que son considerados “En Peligro” o “En Peligro Crítico” por la UICN. Algunas de estas especies habían sufrido serias disminuciones de sus poblaciones, probablemente causadas por la quitridiomicosis, pero todas se encuentran amenazadas por pérdida de hábitat. Detectamos el 53% de las especies En Peligro y el 56% de las especies En Peligro Crítico que se habían reportado previamente en el área de estudio. Reportamos hallazgos de especies que no se habían avistado en Panamá por muchos años, así como localidades de poblaciones descubiertas por primera vez. Se requiere crear una nueva área de protección en los alrededores del Cerro Colorado en la Serranía de Tabasará, donde se han encontrado 15% de los anfibios En Peligro y En Peligro Crítico de todo Panamá

New distribution records and variation of the two common lowland salamanders Bolitoglossa colonnea (Dunn, 1924) and B. lignicolor (Peters, 1873) in Panama (Amphibia: Caudata: Plethodontidae)

We revise the geographic distribution of two common lowland salamanders in western Panama. We close the widest gap in the known distribution of Bolitoglossa colonnea with a first record for the province of Veraguas and extend its known vertical distribution to a third life zone. For B. lignicolor we present additional localities in the province of Chiriquí and the first record from Comarca Ngöbe-Buglé that close the gap between extreme western Panama and the Azuero Peninsula. We present morphological, molecular, and coloration data for both species

Reptilia, Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae, Potamites apodemus (Uzzell, 1966): distribution extension and first records from Panama

Reporting on the southernmost locality in Costa Rica and the first two localities in Panama, we extend the known geographic distribution of the lizard Potamites apodemus (Uzzell, 1966) roughly 20 km eastwards, 40 km southwards, and 175 m in elevation. We provide photos of Panamanian specimens, comment on their morphology, and map the distribution of this unique species

Evidence for the recognition of two species of Anolis formerly referred to as A. tropidogaster (Squamata: Dactyloidae)

Based on differences in hemipenial morphology, male dewlap coloration, pholidosis, and 16S mtDNA, we recognize two species of anoles related to what was formerly referred to as Anolis tropidogaster: Anolis tropidogaster Hallowell 1856 and A. gaigei Ruthven 1916. The hemipenis in A. tropidogaster is large, bulbous, and bilobed whereas it is small, thin, and unilobed in A. gaigei; the male dewlap is almost uniform purplish red, sometimes with a paler orange central area in A. tropidogaster versus orange yellow with a darker orange central area in A. gaigei; and—aside from more subtle differences in several pholidotic characteristics—in male A. gaigei there is a pair of greatly enlarged postcloacal scales which is absent in A. tropidogaster. In the western part of its geographic range, A. gaigei has been confused with another anole species, A. polylepis Peters 1873, from which it can be readily distinguished by its strongly keeled ventral scales (smooth in A. polylepis).Based on differences in hemipenial morphology, male dewlap coloration, pholidosis, and 16S mtDNA, we recognize two species of anoles related to what was formerly referred to as Anolis tropidogaster: Anolis tropidogaster Hallowell 1856 and A. gaigei Ruthven 1916. The hemipenis in A. tropidogaster is large, bulbous, and bilobed whereas it is small, thin, and unilobed in A. gaigei; the male dewlap is almost uniform purplish red, sometimes with a paler orange central area in A. tropidogaster versus orange yellow with a darker orange central area in A. gaigei; and—aside from more subtle differences in several pholidotic characteristics—in male A. gaigei there is a pair of greatly enlarged postcloacal scales which is absent in A. tropidogaster. In the western part of its geographic range, A. gaigei has been confused with another anole species, A. polylepis Peters 1873, from which it can be readily distinguished by its strongly keeled ventral scales (smooth in A. polylepis)

Diversity, taxonomy, and biogeography of the reptiles inhabiting the highlands of the Cordillera Central (Serranía de Talamanca and Serranía de Tabasará) in western Panama

Panama is a megadiverse country that together with Costa Rica constitutes Lower Central America (LCA). Western Panama's Cordillera Central accounts for the eastern part of the LCA highlands shared between these countries. The aim of the present study is to compile the most complete and updated picture possible of the taxonomy, diversity, and distribution of reptiles that occur from 500 m asl upwards along the Talamanca and Tabasará ranges. These two continuous mountain ridges account for the western two-thirds of the Cordillera Central between the Costa Rican border and 81°W Including specimens collected four own research travels, I morphologically examined more than 1800 specimens, analyzed 16S and/or COI barcodes of 300 specimens, and performed a thorough search in literature and databases to obtain locality records for specimens and species occurrences. My complete occurrence dataset comprises 14620 georeferenced occurrence records in three quality categories. Conceivable occurrences of species not yet documented from a given area are evaluated on the basis of existing data either as "plausible" or "possible". I provide all datasets which I generated for this study in Appendices. The previously published descriptions of Dactyloa ginaelisae Lotzkat, Hertz, Bienentreu & Köhler 2013, Norops benedikti (Lotzkat, Bienentreu, Hertz & Köhler 2011), Sibon perissostichon Köhler, Lotzkat & Hertz 2010, and Sibon noalamina Lotzkat, Hertz & Köhler 2012 are included in the present work. In the course of integrative taxonomic analyses, I classify 15 genealogical lineages revealed by DNA barcoding within 7 anole species as Deep Conspecific Lineages (DCLs) because they lack consistent morphological differences to their nominal conspecifics. I provisionally classify 18 mitochondrial lineages found within six other anole species as Unconfirmed Genealogical Lineages (UGLs) pending adequate analyses of their morphological variation. I regard the two additional UGLs Celestus sp. and Geophis sp. and the two Confirmed Genealogical Lineages (CGLs) Lepidoblepharis sp. 1 and 2 to represent undescribed species. My taxonomic analyses yield the hitherto most comprehensive survey of the variability exhibited by dozens of reptile species in western Panama. The 16S and/or COI barcodes I provide represent 65 species recognized herein and constitute the first DNA barcode reference library for LCA reptiles. The reptile fauna of Panama comprises 265 species, including the four UGLs and CGLs mentioned above and characterized for the first time in this study, as well as Dendrophidion crybelum Cadle 2012 whose presence in the country I consider plausible. My occurrence dataset reveals that 160 of these species have been documented to occur in my study area. Adding the 20 species whose occurrence therein I consider plausible, I report the total species richness of the Talamanca and Tabasará ranges as comprising 180 species representing 81 genera in 25 families. With 178.8 species per 10 000 km2, the relative species richness of the area is extremely high even in a tropical context. In view of their overall documented distribution, I regard the presence of 27 additional species in my study area as possible. For the 180 species occurring in my study area I provide standardized species accounts that, together with the taxonomic results, for the first time permit the doubtless identification of all 180 species, and illustrate 168 of these with color photographs. Concerning biogeography, my georeferenced dataset yields noteworthy distribution extensions for many species. Moreover, I present the hitherto most comprehensive, detailed, and reproducible assessments of the distribution patterns, historical origins, and conservation as well as of the occurrence among physiographic regions, climatic and altitudinal belts, political subdivisions, and protected areas, for my study area's reptile fauna. With 65 species, more than a third of the fauna is endemic to LCA. Among these, 42 Talamancan highland endemics are restricted to the LCA highlands, in the case of 16 small-scale highland endemics with documented ranges spanning less than 100 km. I assess many of these endemics as endangered. The fact that several of these species do not occur in any protected area renders the establishment of additional conservation areas necessary, especially in the central Serranía de Tabasará. Distributional range boundaries shared among different clades of highland anoles indicate physiographic and climatic barriers that may have effected in situ speciation within these lineages. As the largest study on Panamanian reptile diversity assembled to date, the present dissertation considerably increases our knowledge on the reptiles along the Cordillera Central and beyond, and thus constitutes a solid basis for future studies

Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae, Hylomantis medinai: distribution extension by discovery of a third population

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