@article {57911, title = {On the Uncertain Taxonomic Identity of Adenomera hylaedactyla (Cope, 1868) and the Composite Type Series of A. andreae (M{\"u}ller, 1923) (Anura, Leptodactylidae)}, journal = {Copeia}, volume = {107}, year = {2019}, month = {Jan-11-2019}, pages = {708}, abstract = {

Adenomera andreae and A. hylaedactyla are two widespread Amazonian frogs that have been traditionally distinguished from each other by the use of different habitats, toe tip development, and more recently through advertisement calls. Yet, taxonomic identification of these species has always been challenging. Herein we undertake a review of type specimens and include new phenotypic (morphology and vocalization) and mitochondrial DNA information for an updated diagnosis of both species. Our morphological analysis indicates that the single type (holotype) of A. hylaedactyla could either belong to lineages associated with Amazonian forest-dwelling species (A. andreae clade) or to the open-formation morphotype (A. hylaedactyla clade). Given the holotype\&$\#$39;s poor preservation, leading to the ambiguous assignment of character states for toe tip development, as well as a vague type locality encompassing a vast area in eastern Ecuador and northern Peru, the identity of this specimen is uncertain. Morphology of toe tip fragments and the original species description suggest that A. hylaedactyla could correspond to at least two described species (A. andreae or A. simonstuarti) or additional unnamed genetic lineages of the A. andreae clade, all bearing toe tips expanded into discs. Analysis of morphometric data, however, clustered the holotype with the Amazonian open-formation morphotype (toe tips unexpanded). While additional data can be obtained from the holotype of A. hylaedactyla, at this time this type cannot be unequivocally assigned to any species of Adenomera distributed across eastern Ecuador and Peru\&$\#$39;s northernmost region of Loreto. For the time being, the name A. hylaedactyla still accommodates the only Amazonian open-habitat species. As to the type series of Adenomera andreae, a forest-associated species with toe tips fully expanded (developed into small discs) from eastern Brazilian Amazonia, we found that one of its paratypes shares a morphotype with the open-habitat species and is reassigned to A. hylaedactyla. With the taxonomic identity of A. hylaedactyla unresolved, formal descriptions of cryptic species complexes within the A. andreae clade distributed across the type locality of A. hylaedactyla run the risk of a possible future synonymization with A. hylaedactyla. Yet, not naming more circumscribed and potentially threatened cryptic species puts them at risk, as they would probably not qualify for conservation funding. Given the current fire crisis in the Amazon Basin, the risk of losing species before they are described far outweighs the risk of synonymization. We recommend that researchers prioritize descriptions based on the potential extinction risk of new species.

}, doi = {10.1643/CH-19-237}, url = {https://bioone.org/journals/copeia/volume-107/issue-4/CH-19-237/On-the-Uncertain-Taxonomic-Identity-of-Adenomera-hylaedactyla-Cope-1868/10.1643/CH-19-237.full}, author = {Thiago R. De Carvalho and Giaretta, Ariovaldo A. and Maciel, Natan M. and Barrera, Diego A. and Aguilar-Puntriano, C{\'e}sar and Haddad, C{\'e}lio F. B. and Marcelo N. C. Kokubum and Menin, Marcelo and Angulo, Ariadne} } @article {53535, title = {A New Species of Scutiger (Anura: Megophryidae) from the Gaoligongshan Mountain Range, China}, journal = {Copeia}, volume = {107}, year = {2019}, month = {Jan-01-2019}, pages = {10}, abstract = {

During recent surveys in Gaoligongshan Mountain Range, Yunnan Province of China, we collected specimens of Scutiger from a montane stream area at an elevation of 3000 m. Subsequent study based on morphological, molecular, and acoustic data reveals that the newly collected specimens represent an unknown taxon and is described herein: Scutiger tengchongensis, new species. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) relatively small size (adult male SVL 36.0\–40.1 mm, n = 8); (2) vomerine teeth absent; (3) dorsum with large prominent, conical-shaped and longitudinal tubercles; (4) large tubercles on dorsum covered by numerous tiny black spines in males in breeding condition; (5) a pair of pectoral glands and a pair of axillary glands present on the chest, and covered by dense tiny black spines in males in breeding condition; (6) pectoral gland about twice the size of axillary gland; (7) inner three fingers with black nuptial spines in males in breeding condition; (8) nuptial spines on first and second fingers larger than those on third finger; (9) black spines on the belly absent; (10) vocal sac absent; and (11) toe webbing rudimentary. The discovery of S. tengchongensis, new species, represents the southernmost record of the genus worldwide, and the new species is the smallest known member of the genus in body size.

}, doi = {10.1643/CH-17-661}, url = {https://bioone.org/journals/copeia/volume-107/issue-1/CH-17-661/A-New-Species-of-Scutiger-Anura--Megophryidae-from-the/10.1643/CH-17-661.full}, author = {Yang, Jian-Huan and Huang, Xiang-Yuan} } @article {53246, title = {Comparative Call Characteristics in the Anuran Subgenus Nenirana}, journal = {Copeia}, volume = {106}, year = {2018}, month = {Jan-06-20182022}, pages = {575 - 579}, abstract = {

It is important that species descriptions be accurate. This is especially true with threatened and endangered species, where the scientific literature provides context for species identification and management decisions. In 1953, Bragg documented the advertisement calls of both Southern Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates a. areolatus) and Northern Crawfish Frogs (L. a. circulosus) and concluded L. a. areolatus have lower frequency calls. One of us (M.J.L.) has long felt this observation was incorrect, because adult L. a. areolatus are smaller than L. a. circulosus, and anurans with smaller body sizes tend to produce higher, not lower, frequency calls. Bragg\&$\#$39;s observations are not only the sole comparative assessment of advertisement call characteristics of L. areolatus in the primary literature, but also represent the only assessment of the advertisement calls of any of the four species comprising the subgenus Nenirana, which consists of threatened and endangered Gopher Frogs (L. capito and L. sevosus) and Pickerel Frogs (L. palustris). Given this dearth of information, the reliability of this information, and the conservation concerns surrounding this group, we felt it was necessary to reassess the advertisement calls of Crawfish Frogs and give them context by describing the calls of the Nenirana species L. capito and L. palustris. Our data revise Bragg\&$\#$39;s conclusions, but just as importantly, we show that the call characteristics of L. capito and L. palustris are similar by having long calls with long interpulse intervals, while both subspecies of L. areolatus have shorter calls with less interpulse separation. These results do not align with morphological and phylogenetic clustering within the Nenirana, but are consistent with call character displacement within this group. Additional data will be necessary to test this inference.

}, issn = {0045-8511}, doi = {10.1643/CE-18-019}, url = {http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.1643/CE-18-019}, author = {Lannoo, Michael J. and Stiles, Rochelle M. and Saenz, Daniel and Hibbitts, Toby J.} }