[Herpetology • 2024] Atelopus colomai • A New Species of Harlequin Toad (Anura: Bufonidae: Atelopus) from Amazonian Ecuador

Atelopus colomai

Plewnia, Terán-Valdez, Culebras, Boistel, Paluh, Quezada Riera, Heine, Reyes-Puig, Salazar-Valenzuela, Guayasamin & Lötters, 2024 

 

 SALAMANDRA. 60(4) 

  Researchgate.net/publication/385849022

  facebook.com: Amadeus Plewnia

Abstract

 For nearly four decades, harlequin toads, genus Atelopus, have sufered unparalleled population declines. While this also results in limited understanding of alphataxonomic relationships, these toads face an urgent need for advances in systematics to inform conservation eforts. However, high intraspecifc variation and cryptic diversity have hindered a comprehensive understanding of Atelopus diversity. Tis is particularly exemplifed among Amazonian populations related to A. spumarius, where decades of taxonomic work have not been able yet to unravel relationships between the many forms, while the names coined so far have led to taxonomic confusion leaving numerous lineages unnamed. A recent comprehensive phylogenetic study has revealed new insights into the systematics of harlequin toads with an emphasis on Amazonian forms, identifying several unnamed lineages. We here describe one of these evolutionary lineages as a new species, restricted to the Ecuadorian Amazon basin, in an integrative taxonomic approach using molecular, morphological, bioacoustic and larval information. With this, we contribute to a better understanding of Atelopus diversity as the baseline of conservation action.

 Key words. Amphibia, Anura, amphibian crisis, bioacoustics, cryptic diversity, Neotropics, osteology, integrative taxonomy

  Ontogenetic change in an individual of Atelopus colomai sp. n. from tadpole to subadult, reared under laboratory conditions at CJ from parental stock collected at the type locality (specimens not preserved).
Upper lef: CJ (sc 10997), Stage 25, lateral, dorsal and ventral views, total length = 8.3 mm; upper right: Stage 41, total length = 14.5 mm; Stage 42, total length = 14.1 mm; Stage 46, 71 days afer Stage 25, 6.8 mm SVL; bottom: subadult 244 days afer Stage 46, 18 mm SVL.

Scale bar 10 mm. Photos by Steven Guevara Salvador, CJ.

Atelopus colomai sp. n.

Diagnosis: Atelopus colomai sp. n. (Figs 1–2, S1) can be readily distinguished from all other Atelopus species (as far known) by molecular genetics (monophyly in a concatenated (12S, 16S, CytB) mitochondrial phylogeny, support by molecular species delimitation and lack of haplotype sharing in POMC, Lötters et al. in press). It can be morphologically distinguished from all congeners by the combination of small size, dorsal and lateral skin covered with dense well-defned minute spiculae, ventral skin smooth to slightly areolate, presence of a columella and dorsal ...

Etymology: We dedicate this species to our friend and colleague Luis A. Coloma, who has continuously contributed to the study and protection of harlequin toads for decades. Te specifc name colomai is an eponym (i.e. a noun in genitive case). As English common name, we propose ‘Coloma’s harlequin toad’

 

Amadeus Plewnia, Andrea Terán-Valdez, Jaime Culebras, Renaud Boistel, Daniel J. Paluh, Amanda B. Quezada Riera, Christopher H. Heine, Juan P. Reyes-Puig, David Salazar-Valenzuela, Juan Manuel Guayasamin and Stefan Lötters. 2024. A New Species of Harlequin Toad (Bufonidae: Atelopus) from Amazonian Ecuador. SALAMANDRA. 60(4); 237–253. 

 Researchgate.net/publication/385849022_A_new_species_of_Atelopus_from_Amazonian_Ecuador

  facebook.com/AmadeusPlewnia1/posts/1225238708708267

  facebook.com/DGHTeV/posts/1068990611903754

[Paleontology • 2024] The Oldest Tadpole reveals Evolutionary Stability of the Anuran Life Cycle

Notobatrachus degiustoi 

in Chuliver, Agnolín, Scanferla, Rolando, Ezcurra, Novas et Xu, 2024.

 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08055-y

Illustration by Gabriel Lío

Abstract

Anurans are characterized by a biphasic life cycle, with an aquatic larval (tadpole) stage followed by an adult (frog) stage, both connected through the metamorphic period in which drastic morphological and physiological changes occur. Extant tadpoles exhibit great morphological diversity and ecological relevance2, but their absence in the pre-Cretaceous fossil record (older than 145 million years) makes their origins and early evolution enigmatic. This contrasts with the postmetamorphic anuran fossil record that dates back to the Early Jurassic and with closely related species in the Late Triassic (around 217–213 million years ago (Ma)). Here we report a late-stage tadpole of the stem-anuran Notobatrachus degiustoi from the Middle Jurassic of Patagonia (around 168–161 Ma). This finding has dual importance because it represents the oldest-known tadpole and, to our knowledge, the first stem-anuran larva. Its exquisite preservation, including soft tissues, shows features associated with the filter-feeding mechanism characteristic of extant tadpoles. Notably, both N. degiustoi tadpole and adult reached a large size, demonstrating that tadpole gigantism occurred among stem-anurans. This new discovery reveals that a biphasic life cycle, with filter-feeding tadpoles inhabiting aquatic ephemeral environments, was already present in the early evolutionary history of stem-anurans and has remained stable for at least 161 million years.

Tadpoles and adults of Notobatrachus degiustoi in temporary ponds in Patagonia, Argentina.

Illustration by Gabriel Lío

 

Mariana Chuliver, Federico L. Agnolín, Agustín Scanferla, Mauro Aranciaga Rolando, Martín D. Ezcurra, Fernando E. Novas and Xing Xu. 2024. The Oldest Tadpole reveals Evolutionary Stability of the Anuran Life Cycle. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08055-y

   

[Herpetology • 2024] Adhaerobufo gen. n. • The Remarkable Larval Morphology of Rhaebo nasicus (Werner, 1903) (Anura: Bufonidae) with the Erection of A New bufonid Genus and insights into the Evolution of Suctorial Tadpoles

  

Adhaerobufo gen. nov.
 Adhaerobufo ceratophrys (Boulenger, 1882) comb. nov.,
Adhaerobufo nasicus (Werner, 1903) comb. nov.

in Dias, Phillips, Pereyra, Means, Haas et Kok, 2024.

 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-024-00241-0

 Researchgate.net/publication/384455390

Photos by D. Bruce Means and Pedro H. Dias

Abstract

Tadpoles serve as crucial evidence for testing systematic and taxonomic hypotheses. Suctorial tadpoles collected in Guyana were initially assigned to Rhaebo nasicus through molecular phylogeny. Subsequent analysis of larval and adult morphological traits revealed synapomorphies within the clade encompassing R. nasicus and R. ceratophrys, prompting the recognition of a new genus described herein as Adhaerobufo. The new genus is distinguished from other bufonids by specific phenotypic traits including an enlarged, suctorial oral disc with distinct papillae arrangements, and the presence of certain muscles and narial vacuities at the larval stage. However, only a few adult external characteristics (e.g., enlarged eyelids, infraocular cream spot), seem to be reliably discriminative from related genera. This study underscores the significance of larval morphology in anuran systematics and offers new insights into the evolution of suctorial and gastromyzophorous larvae within bufonids.

Keywords: Evolution, Larval traits, Musculoskeletal system, Pantepui, Suctoriality, Systematics, Taxonomy

Living tadpole of  “Rhaebo” nasicus in right lateral (A), dorsal (B), and ventral (C) views.

Photos by D. Bruce Means

The tadpole of “Rhaebo” nasicus (CPI10704) at stage 38 in lateral (A), dorsal (B), and ventral (C) views.

Scale bar = 1.0 mm. Photos by Pedro H. Dias

Adhaerobufo gen. nov.

 

Type species: Bufo nasicus (Werner, 1903) comb. nov.

 

Content: Adhaerobufo ceratophrys (Boulenger, 1882) comb. nov., and Adhaerobufo nasicus (Werner, 1903) comb. nov.

Etymology: Adhaerobufo gen. nov. (gender masculine) is derived from the Latin adhaerens, meaning adherent and the Latin būfo, meaning toad. The name refers to the unique suctorial morphology of their tadpoles.

Definition and diagnosis:

Adhaerobufo gen. nov. can be differentiated from all other Bufonidae by the combination of the following characters: (1) tadpole with enlarged, suctorial, oral disc; (2) tadpole oral disc with a complete row of marginal papillae; (3) tadpole oral disc with multiple rows of submarginal papillae on the lower lip and by a single row of marginal papillae on the upper lip; (4) tadpole oral disc with an uninterrupted second anterior row of keratodonts; (5) presence of the m. interhyoideus posterior at larval stage; (6) presence of the m. rectus abdominis anterior at larval stage; (7) presence of narial vacuities in the buccopharyngeal cavity at larval stage; (8) projecting, enlarged eyelid in adults; (9) presence of an infraocular cream spot in adults, (10) sphenethmoid relatively narrow, overlapping only the medial ends of the palatines; and (11) posterior process of the prootic prominent and notched.

Kamana Creek, upstream within 100 m of Kamana Waterfall, draining Mt. Kopinang low waters where tadpoles of Adhaerobufo were collected (A) and an unnamed stream on the slopes of Maringma-tepui where tadpoles were also observed (B).
Amplexing couple of A. nasicus (C and D).

Photos by D. Bruce Means (A, C, D) and Philippe J. R. Kok (B)

Geographical distribution of Adhaerobufo gen. nov. in northwestern Guyana, eastern Venezuela and upper Amazon Basin. Inset map of South America, highlighting the geographical area occupied by the genus (A). Known distribution of A. ceratophrys and A. nasicus (B).
 Examples of macrohabitats in which the new genus is present; Kaieteur Falls in Guyana (C), uplands and highlands of western Guyana (D), and lowlands, Amazon Forest, Icá River, Brazil (E).

Shape files of the geographical distribution were downloaded from the IUCN website. 

Adult and tadpole are from A. nasicus. 

Photos by: Philippe Kok (C and D) and Pedro H. Dias (E)

Torrential environments that were colonized by suctorial/gastromyzophorous larvae of bufonids. Adult of Atelopus sp. in Tacarcuna, Colombia (A); fast flowing waters occupied by Atelopus elegans at Isla Gorgona, Colombia (B);
larvae of Ansonia guibei attached to rocks of fast flowing streams in Borneo (C and D).

Photos by Marco A. Rada (A), David Velázquez (B), and Alexander Haas (C and D)

 

Pedro Henrique dos Santos Dias, Jackson R. Phillips, Martín O. Pereyra, D. Bruce Means, Alexander Haas and Philippe J. R. Kok. 2024. The Remarkable Larval Morphology of Rhaebo nasicus (Werner, 1903) (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) with the Erection of A New bufonid Genus and insights into the Evolution of Suctorial Tadpoles. Zoological Letters. 10: 17. DOI:  doi.org/10.1186/s40851-024-00241-0

  Researchgate.net/publication/384455390_The_remarkable_larval_morphology_of_Rhaebo_nasicus_with_the_erection_of_a_new_genus

[Herpetology • 2023] Limnonectes phyllofolia • A New Species of terrestrially-nesting Fanged Frog (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Sulawesi Island, Indonesia

Limnonectes phyllofolia 

 Frederick, Iskandar, Riyanto, Hamidy, Reilly, Stubbs, Bloch, Bach & McGuire, 2023

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292598

 

Abstract

Herein, we describe a new species of terrestrially-nesting fanged frog from Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Though male nest attendance and terrestrial egg deposition is known in one other Sulawesi fanged frog (Limnonectes arathooni), the new species exhibits a derived reproductive mode unique to the Sulawesi assemblage; male frogs guard one or more clutches of eggs festooned to leaves or mossy boulders one to two meters above small slow-moving streams, trickles, or seeps. This island endemic has thus far been collected at three sites on Sulawesi: one in the Central Core of the island, and two on the Southwest Peninsula—south of the Tempe Depression (a major biogeographical boundary). The new Limnonectes has the smallest adult body size among its Sulawesi congeners—with a maximum snout-vent length of about 30 millimeters. Beyond its unique reproductive behavior and body size, the species is further diagnosed on the basis of advertisement call and genetic distance from sympatric fanged frogs. The discovery and description of the new species highlights the remarkable reproductive trait diversity that characterizes the Sulawesi fanged frog assemblage despite that most species in this radiation have yet to be formally described.

 

Limnonectes phyllofolia sp. nov. in life.
(A) A male L. phyllofolia (no voucher) guards an egg clutch on a leaf 0.2 meters above a slow spring-fed stream on Gunung Balease—24 October 2010, 21:05 h. (B) A male L. phyllofolia, MVZ:Herp:295234, guards an egg clutch 0.6 m up on a 2 m tall mossy boulder overhanging a stream in Bantimurung National Park—25 June 2014, 20:30 h. (C) A male L. phyllofolia, MVZ:Herp:295430, guards an egg clutch on a leaf 0.2 m above a puddle in Bantimurung National Park—25 June 2014, 22:25 h.
(D) A male L. phyllofolia, MVZ:Herp:295248, guards an egg clutch on a mossy boulder 1 m above a 1 m wide cascading stream in Bantimurung National Park—25 June 2014, 21:38 h. (E) A male L. phyllofolia (no voucher) guards an egg clutch on a leaf while larvae hatch and drop into the water below.

Limnonectes phyllofolia sp. nov.

Diagnosis: L. phyllofolia sp. nov. can be diagnosed on the basis of the following combination of character states: (1) small body size, (2) reduced webbing, (3) unique advertisement call, (4) a heretofore unique reproductive mode, and (5) by geographic range—being restricted to localities on the Southwest Peninsula and the southeastern quadrant of Sulawesi’s Central Core.

Etymology: We have informally referred to this species as Limnonectes sp. “leaf-nester” in reference to its characteristic reproductive mode. We therefore opted to memorialize this in its formal specific epithet, “phyllofolia”, which is derived from the combination of the greek fýllo—meaning “leaf”, and foliá—meaning “nest”.

  Eggs and newly hatched larvae of Limnonectes phyllofolia sp. nov. 
 (A) A male L. phyllofolia, MVZ:Herp:295236, guards two egg clutches on a sapling 2 m above a 1 m wide stream in Bantimurung National Park. (B) Example of dual egg clutches (guarded by MVZ:Herp:295224) deposited on fern frond 0.6 m above a puddle in Bantimurung National Park.
(C) Example of eggs from clutch guarded by MVZ:Herp:295224—clutch was collected from leaves 0.75 m above a puddle on 24 June 2014, 19:00 h from Bantimurung National Park. (D) Example of eggs from clutch guarded by MVZ:Herp:295236—clutch was collected from leaves of a sapling tree, 2 m above a 1 m wide stream on 25 June 2014 at 21:38 h from Bantimurung National Park. (E) Example of newly hatched tadpoles. The associated clutch was guarded by MVZ:Herp:295246, and collected on a mossy boulder 1.5 m above a 1 m wide stream on 25 June 2014 at 21:38 h from Bantimurung National Park.

 

 Jeffrey H. Frederick, Djoko T. Iskandar, Awal Riyanto, Amir Hamidy, Sean B. Reilly, Alexander L. Stubbs, Luke M. Bloch, Bryan Bach and Jimmy A. McGuire. 2023.  A New Species of terrestrially-nesting Fanged Frog (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. PLoS ONE. 18(12): e0292598. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292598

[Herpetology • 2023] Osteocephalus vasquezi • A New Species of Spiny-backed Tree Frog, Genus Osteocephalus (Anura Hylidae), from the Yanachaga Chemillén National Park in central Peru

   

 Osteocephalus vasquezi

Venegas, García-Ayachi, Toral, Malqui & Ron, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.102360

Abstract

We describe a new species of Osteocephalus Fitzinger, 1843 using morphological traits of adult frogs and its larvae, as well as molecular evidence. The new species occurs in the premontane forest of the Cordillera del Yanachaga in the Andes of central Peru, at elevations between 1000 and 1150 m a.s.l. It belongs to the Osteocephalus mimeticus species group and is the sister species of O. mimeticus. It is most similar to three species with predominantly dark irises, tuberculate dorsal skin, and brown dorsal coloration: O. festae Peracca, 1904, O. mimeticus Melin, 1941, and O. verruciger Werner, 1901. Of these three species, the most similar is O. mimeticus. However, the new species can be easily distinguished from O. mimeticus by having a cream or creamy-tan venter with a well-defined pattern of brown chocolate blotches and flecks (venter cream, tan, or brown without marks in O. mimeticus). The tadpoles of O. vasquezi sp. nov. are strikingly different from the tadpoles of O. mimeticus by having a larger oral disk with nine lower labial tooth rows (only six in O. mimeticus). Tadpoles of the new species and those of O. festae are unique among Osteocephalus by belonging to the suctorial ecomorphological guild as shown by their large oral disks. Our time tree suggest that the new species diverged from its sister species at the beginning of the Pleistocene, ~2.5 million years ago.

Key Words: Biodiversity, DNA, new species, Osteocephalus mimeticus, phylogeny, tadpole, taxonomy

Dorsolateral and ventral views of Osteocephalus vasquezi sp. nov.
A, B. Dorsolateral and ventral view of holotype CORBIDI 7284, SVL = 51.4 mm;
C, D. Dorsolateral and ventral view of adult male, CORBIDI 7285, SVL = 40.8 mm;
E, F. Dorsolateral and ventral view of adult female CORBIDI 7280, SVL = 65.9 mm;
 G. Dorsolateral view of a recently metamorphosed CORBIDI 7304, SVL = 13 mm; H. Dorsolateral view of tadpole in stage 42.

Photographs by P.J. Venegas.

 Osteocephalus vasquezi sp. nov.

Definition: Osteocephalus vasquezi sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) size sexually dimorphic; maximum SVL in males 52.9 mm (n = 14), in females 75.5 mm (n = 2); (2) skin on dorsum of breeding males bearing conical tubercles with keratinized tips, not present in non-breeding males, smooth in females; (3) skin on flanks weakly areolate in the anterior two-thirds and smooth posteriorly; (4) hand webbing formula varies from II2–—3–III2½—2+IV to I basal II2––—3+III3—2½IV; foot webbing formula varies from I1–—1II1–—1–III0—1–IV1–—1–V to I1—2–II1—2–III2–—2–IV2––—1V; (5) in life, dorsum varies from brown to dark brown or orange-brown, with or without dark brown irregular marks; (6) throat brown or tan with a distinctive pattern of white irregular blotches or vermiculations, as well as tan to brown blotches on a whitish cream to creamy tan background; chest and belly cream or creamy tan with chocolate blotches or flecks; (7) cream suborbital mark indistinct, clear labial stripe distinct or faint; (8) color of dorsolateral region of flanks similar to dorsal coloration; ventrolateral region whitish cream or brownish cream with brown scattered blotches and/or vermiculations; (9) dermal roofing bones of the skull not exposed; (10) in life, bones green; (11) in life, iris dark brown with golden vermiculations or flecks; (12) vocal sacs paired, small, located laterally, behind jaw articulation; (13) in life, juveniles with red iris, dorsal surface of body and limbs dark brown (almost black) with marks or coppery with dark brown marks, without conspicuous pale elbows, knees, and heels; (14) larvae with LTRF of 3/9.

Etymology: The specific name is a patronym for Pedro Vásquez Ruesta, a Peruvian forest engineer, who is a pioneer in the wildlife management in Peru. Since 1978 he has worked for the development of wildlife management and protected natural areas as a professor at the Faculty of Forestry at Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru, teaching to generations of forest engineers about wildlife management and conservation. During his academic life, Pedro Vásquez Ruesta made many contributions to the field of conservation of natural resources, advising theses and published scientific articles especially about the management of caimans and deer.

 

Pablo J. Venegas, Luis A. García-Ayachi, Eduardo Toral, José Malqui and Santiago R. Ron. 2023. A New Species of Spiny-backed Tree Frog, Genus Osteocephalus (Anura, Hylidae), from the Yanachaga Chemillén National Park in central Peru. Evolutionary Systematics. 7(2): 237-251. DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.102360

[Herpetology • 2022] Nyctibatrachus tunga • A New Cryptic Species of Nyctibatrachus (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with Description of its Tadpole from the central Western Ghats, India

 Nyctibatrachus tunga

Kumar, Vishwajith, Anisha, Dayananda, Gururaja & Priti, 2022

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5209.1.4

Abstract

We describe a new species of night frog belonging to the genus Nyctibatrachus from the central Western Ghats, India. Nyctibatrachus tunga sp. nov. is distinguished from all congeners by a combination of (1) body size medium (SVL 37.0–40.2 mm ♂, 42.4–47.4 mm ♀), (2) head wider than long (HW 16.0–17.6 mm ♂, 17.4–20.3 mm ♀, HL 11.7–13.6 mm ♂, 13.4–15.5 mm ♀), (3) skin on dorsal and lateral surfaces with glandular folds and throat with dense glandular longitudinal folds, belly white, (4) webbing on toes medium, reaching the third subarticular tubercle on either side of fourth toe (5) presence of nuptial pad and femoral glands in adult males, (6) dorsal body color dark brown, ventrally buff colored except belly, (7) finger disc weakly developed (fd3 0.8±0.1 mm ♂, 1.0±0.1 mm ♀; fw3 0.5±0.1 mm ♂, 0.8±0.1 mm ♀), (8) toe disc moderately developed (td4 1.2±0.2 mm ♂, 1.6±0.1 mm ♀; tw4 0.8±0.1 mm ♂, 0.7±0.0 mm ♀), (9) third finger disc without dorso–terminal groove, fourth toe disc with dorso–terminal groove cover bifurcate distally. Further, molecular phylogeny based on two mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA and ND1), reveals that the new species is sister taxon to N. vrijeuni and N. shiradi. Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA, the new species is genetically divergent by 2.0% and 2.6% from N. vrijeuni and N. shiradi respectively indicating weak but consistent differences to these two species. The bioacoustic analysis also indicated that the new species differed from one of its closest congeners, N. vrijeuni by a higher dominant frequency in advertisement calls. At present, Nyctibatrachus tunga sp. nov. is known from streams within evergreen forests and coffee estates of the upper catchment areas of river Tunga in central Western Ghats.

Keywords: Amphibia, endemic frog, freshwater, night-frog, amphibian larvae, streams

 Habitat and holotype (BNHS 6102) of Nyctibatrachus tunga sp. nov.
 a–Slow flowing stream habitat of the holotype; b–Live individual of holotype; c–Dorsal view; d–Ventral view; e–Lateral profile of head; f–Ventral view of Forelimb; g–Ventral view of Hindlimb; h– third finger disc without dorso-terminal groove; i– fourth toe disc with dorso-terminal groove cover bifurcate distally; j–Schematic view of webbing in hindlimb. (Scale bar = 5mm).

 

Nyctibatrachus tunga sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the name ‘Tunga’. The species is recorded in the catchment areas of the river Tunga and the species epithet is a noun in apposition to the generic name.

Suggested common name. Tunga River Night Frog.

 

 K.S. Pavan Kumar, H.U. Vishwajith, Anand Anisha, G.Y. Dayananda, Kotambylu Vasudeva Gururaja and Hebbar Priti. 2022. A New Cryptic Species of Nyctibatrachus (Amphibia, Anura, Nyctibatrachidae) with Description of its Tadpole from the central Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa. 5209(1); 69-92. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5209.1.4

[Herpetology • 2021] Wijayarana gen. nov. • Revisiting the Phylogenetic Predicament of the Genus Huia (Amphibia: Ranidae) using Molecular Data and Tadpole Morphology

 

(B-F) Wijayarana spp. from Sumatra and Java, Indonesia.

(A) Huia cavitympanum male, from Bukit Baka Bukit Raya, Borneo, Indonesia.  

in Arifin, Chan, Smart, ... et Haas. 2021.

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa158 

 Researchgate.net/publication/348419971 

Photographs by Umilaela Arifin. 

Abstract

Despite a considerable amount of research, the systematics of the ranid genus Huia have remained unresolved, mostly owing to insufficient sampling and morphological similarities. As currently circumscribed, Huia consists of five species, but multiple studies have consistently demonstrated that it is not a monophyletic genus. However, no study has approached the problem with adequate data and provided a systematically sound solution, leaving the genus to languish in a classification that is phylogenetically incoherent. We generated the most comprehensive sampling of Huia to date, based on extensive fieldwork in Java and Sumatra. Using an integrative taxonomy framework, we analysed four mitochondrial and two nuclear markers and, in conjunction with tadpole morphology, investigated the phylogenetics of Huia and its congeners. Corroborating previous studies, Huia is recovered as a paraphyletic group. Huia cavitympanum emerges as the sister taxon to Meristogenys. The remaining members of Huia form a monophyletic group, sister to the H. cavitympanum + Meristogenys clade. Our extensive geographical sampling in Sumatra and Java reveals multiple highly divergent lineages that potentially represent undescribed species. Using our expanded molecular and morphological dataset, we resolve the paraphyly of Huia by restricting the genus to its type species and propose a new genus to accommodate the strongly supported clade of Sumatran and Javan populations previously belonging to Huia.

Keywords: Anura, cryptic species, genetics, Indonesia, new genera, paraphyly, phylogenetic systematics, Southeast Asia, species diversity, taxonomy

A, Huia cavitympanum male, Taman Nasional Bukit Baka Bukit Raya, Provinsi Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. B, Wijayarana (clade A); UA20140663, male, Padang Aro, Taman Nasional Kerinci-Seblat, Provinsi Sumatera Barat, Indonesia.
C, Wijayarana (clade B); UA20150202, male, Wiyono Waterfall, Provinsi Lampung, Indonesia. D, Wijayarana (clade C); UA20150464–65, male and female in amplexus, Batang Karangan, Provinsi Sumatera Barat, Indonesia.
E, Wijayarana (clade E); UA20150032, male, Banyumas, Provinsi Jawa Tengah, Indonesia. F, Wijayarana (clade F); UA20150049; Palutungan, Provinsi Jawa Barat, Indonesia.

 Size not to scale. Photographs by Umilaela Arifin. 

Etymology: Wijayarana is a compound of the words ‘wijaya’ (Vijaya, in Sanskrit, meaning victory) and ‘rana’ (Latin for frog, feminine). In this context, Wijaya alludes to the Sriwijaya (or Sri Vijaya) empire based in Palembang (Sumatra) between the 7th and 14th centuries CE, with primarily maritime realms (i.e. a thalassocracy). Sriwijaya became one of the most powerful and expansive kingdoms of Indonesia, spanning across most of Sumatra, Java and the Malay Peninsula. With the exception of the Malay Peninsula, these landmasses also represent the geographical range of the genus.

Umilaela Arifin, Kin Onn Chan, Utpal Smart, Stefan T. Hertwig, Eric N Smith, Djoko T. Iskandar and Alexander Haas. 2021. Revisiting the Phylogenetic Predicament of the Genus Huia (Amphibia: Ranidae) using Molecular Data and Tadpole Morphology. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlaa158. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa158

  Researchgate.net/publication/348419971_Revisiting_the_phylogenetic_predicament_of_Huia

 CeNak-Forschende bestimmen neue Froschgattung „Wijayarana“

  www.cenak.uni-hamburg.de/aktuelles/news/2021-01-05-news.html

กบชะง่อนผาหูดำ 

Wijayarana melasma Stuart & Chan-Ard, 2005

Synonyms: Huia melasma, Odorrana melasma 

[Herpetology • 2020] Rediscovery of the Enigmatic Andean Frog Telmatobius halli Noble (Anura: Telmatobiidae), Re-description of the Tadpole and Comments on New Adult’s Characters, Type Locality and Conservation Status

Telmatobius halli Noble, 1938

in Cuevas, Formas, Alvarado-Rybak, Peñafiel-Ricaurte & Azat, 2020. 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4834.2.2 

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Abstract

We report the rediscovery of Telmatobius halli (Hall’s water frog), which had not been found since its description (over 80 years) since its type locality was not clearly established. “Aguas Calientes” near Ollagüe is hypothesized as the original type locality where Frank Gregory Hall collected the type material in 1935. The tadpole is re-described, and new data on the external and internal morphology of adults is provided. These new morphological data are compared with Telmatobius spp. inhabiting geographically close to T. halli in Chile and Bolivia. In addition, comments on its ecology, conservation, and taxonomic status in relation with other Telmatobius spp. inhabiting nearby areas in Ascotán and Carcote salt pans are provided. No evidence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Ranavirus infection was found in T. halli and a sympatric amphibian species. Our work supports the validity of T. halli and suggests this species should be considered as Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List assessment until taxonomic issues are resolved.

Keywords: Amphibia, Taxonomy, Telmatobius, aquatic frog, type locality, Northern Chile

Type locality of Telmatobius halli, near Ollagüe, Chile.
(C) Close up view of the warm spring. 

Type locality of Telmatobius halli, near Ollagüe, Chile.
“Aguas Calientes”, a warm spring (red circle), where we collected the samples identified as T. halli. Type localities of T. fronteriensis (square) and T. philippii (triangle).

 

C.C. Cuevas, J.R. Formas, M. Alvarado-Rybak, A. Peñafiel-Ricaurte and C. Azat. 2020. Rediscovery of the Enigmatic Andean Frog Telmatobius halli Noble (Anura: Telmatobiidae), Re-description of the Tadpole and Comments on New Adult’s Characters, Type Locality and Conservation Status. Zootaxa. 4834(2); 195–206. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4834.2.2

Redescubrimiento de la enigmática rana de Hall (Telmatobius halli), después de 80 años sin ser observada, cerca de Ollagüe en pleno desierto de Atacama 

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[Herpetology • 2019] Ikakogi ispacue • The Poverty of Adult Morphology: Bioacoustics, Genetics, and Internal Tadpole Morphology reveal A New Species of Glassfrog (Anura: Centrolenidae) from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

Ikakogi ispacue  

Rada, Dos Santos Dias, Pérez-Gonzalez, Anganoy-Criollo, Rueda-Solano, et al., 2019

  DOI:  10.1371/journal.pone.0215349

Abstract
Ikakogi is a behaviorally and morphologically intriguing genus of glassfrog. Using tadpole morphology, vocalizations, and DNA, a new species is described from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM), an isolated mountain range in northern Colombia. The new taxon is the second known species of the genus Ikakogi and is morphologically identical to I. tayrona (except for some larval characters) but differs by its genetic distance (14.8% in mitochondrial encoded cytochrome b MT-CYB; ca. 371 bp) and by the dominant frequency of its advertisement call (2928–3273 Hz in contrast to 2650–2870 Hz in I. tayrona). They also differ in the number of lateral buccal floor papillae, and the position of the buccal roof arena papillae. Additionally, the new species is differentiated from all other species of Centrolenidae by the following traits: tympanum visible, vomerine teeth absent, humeral spines present in adult males, bones in life white with pale green in epiphyses, minute punctuations present on green skin dorsum, and flanks with lateral row of small, enameled dots that extend from below eye to just posterior to arm insertion. We describe the external and internal larval morphology of the new species and we redescribe the larval morphology of Ikakogi tayrona on the basis of field collected specimens representing several stages of development from early to late metamorphosis. We discuss the relevance of larval morphology for the taxonomy and systematics of Ikakogi and other centrolenid genera. Finally, we document intraspecific larval variation in meristic characters and ontogenetic changes in eye size, coloration, and labial tooth-rows formulas, and compare tadpoles of related species. Ikakogi tayrona has been proposed as the sister taxon of all other Centrolenidae; our observations and new species description offers insights about the ancestral character-states of adults, egg clutches, and larval features in this lineage of frogs.

  Fig 1. Ikakogi ispacue sp. nov. (A) Dorsal and (B) ventral view of holotype (SVL = 29.6 mm; ICN 56204; male; photos not to scale).

Ikakogi ispacue sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Ikakogi ispacue sp. nov. can be distinguished from other centrolenids (the only exception is I. tayrona) by having a slightly sloping snout, rounded lateral profile; a tympanum that is not visible; humeral spines in adult males; vomerine teeth absent; parietal peritoneum 1/2 white; green dorsum with black punctuations along the dorsal surfaces and a flanks with a lateral row of small enameled dots that extends from below the eye to just posterior to the insertion of the arm; color of bones in life white, but with a pale green coloration in bone epiphysis; color in preservative uniformly very pale lavender to cream.

....

Fig 4. Ikakogi ispacue sp. nov. Adult male (A), holotype (ICN 56204; SVL 29.6 mm), adult female (B), paratype (ICN 56202; SVL 29.5 mm) and egg mass (C) of Ikakogi ispacue sp. nov. Note the empty space in the middle of the array and unpigmented eggs in a clear jelly. Photos not to scale.

Natural history: Males and females were observed in subtropical forest perched on the vegetation at heights of 1–2 m. (Fig 4). Males were observed calling from the lower and upper surfaces of leaves along streams at height of 50–350 cm approx. (Fig 4A). Females deposited and cared for egg clutches (referred to the species by association with their mothers perched on clutches) on either the upper side or lower side of leaves overhanging streams (ca. 50–100 cm; Fig 4B). Clutches contained uniformly pale cream or pale green eggs (n = 4; 55 ± 6.21; 48–62 eggs; Fig 4B). The morphology of the egg mass observed near males of I. ispacue sp. nov. is a monolayer mass lacking eggs and jelly in the center of the clutch, which gives an appearance of a "ring" shape (n = 3; Fig 4C). Embryos exhibit cranial hypervascularization, which turned their color reddish or pink; the heart is translucent but colored reddish by blood. Tadpoles of Ikakogi ispacue sp. nov. were found buried in fallen leaves and sand in small pools (area = 1–2 m2; depth = 30–50 cm) located along the edge of streams.
...

Etymology: The specific epithet originates from the Kogi words “tshi” and “spákue”, meaning “twin of”. The word is used as noun in apposition and refers to the high similarity and presumed close relationships of the new species and Ikakogi tayrona.

Marco Rada, Pedro Henrique Dos Santos Dias, José Luis Pérez-Gonzalez, Marvin Anganoy-Criollo, Luis Alberto Rueda-Solano, María Alejandra Pinto-E, Lilia Mejía Quintero, Fernando Vargas-Salinas and Taran Grant. 2019. The Poverty of Adult Morphology: Bioacoustics, Genetics, and Internal Tadpole Morphology reveal A New Species of Glassfrog (Anura: Centrolenidae: Ikakogi) from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia.  PLoS ONE. 14(5): e0215349. DOI:  10.1371/journal.pone.0215349

   

[Herpetology • 2018] Scinax caprarius • A New Frog with Green Bones of the Genus Scinax (Anura: Hylidae), associated with the sub-Andean Forests of the Magdalena River Basin, Colombia

Scinax caprarius Acosta-Galvis, 2018

  DOI: 10.21068/c2018.v19s1a11

  humboldt.org.co 

Abstract 

As a result of the exploration of post-conflict areas in the Colombia BIO project, a new species of green bones frog of the genus Scinax, assignable to the clade Scinax ruber, is described. The species is endemic to the peripheral sub-Andean forests of the middle Magdalena valley in Colombia. This biological entity was previously identified in the scientific literature as Scinax “A”. The new species is recognizable by its average size 28.6-31.1 mm, chromatic pattern and its particular mating call that is similar to the sound of a goat bleating; each vocalization has a duration of 0.21-0.47 s, with a dominant frequency between 2184-3218 Hz.; its larval characteristics were evaluated, which altogether made it possible to clearly differentiate it from other species in the genus in the trans-Andean region of Colombia. With the description of this species, 18 frogs of the genus Scinax are currently recognized in the Colombian territory.

 Keywords. Amphibia. Bioacustics. Tadpoles. Scinaxinae. Taxonomy. 

Scinax caprarius sp. nov. 

Resumen: Como resultado de la exploración de áreas en postconflicto enmarcada en el proyecto Colombia BIO, se realizó la descripción de una nueva especie de Scinax con huesos verdes, asignable al clado de S. ruber. Esta nueva especie es endémica de los bosques subandinos periféricos del valle medio del río Magdalena en Colombia. Esta entidad biológica fue previamente identificada en la literatura científica como Scinax “A” y se caracteriza por su tamaño mediano (28,6-31,1 mm), su patrón cromático y su vocalización, similar al balido de una cabra, con una duración de 0,21-0,47 s, y frecuencia dominante entre 2184-3218 Hz. Sus características larvales en conjunto, permiten diferenciarla claramente de otras especies del género en la región transinterandina de Colombia. Con esta, ascienden a 18 las especies de Scinax documentadas en el territorio colombiano. 

Palabras clave: Amphibia. Bioacústica. Renacuajos. Scinaxinae. Taxonomía. 

Andrés R. Acosta-Galvis. 2018. Una nueva rana de huesos verdes del género Scinax (Anura: Hylidae) asociada a los bosques subandinos de la cuenca del río Magdalena, Colombia [A New Frog with Green Bones of the Genus Scinax (Anura: Hylidae), associated with the sub-Andean Forests of the Magdalena River Basin, Colombia] . Biota Colombiana. 19 (Suppl. 1); 131–159. DOI: 10.21068/c2018.v19s1a11 

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