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| Pristimantis loeslein Castillo-Urbina, Vences, Aguilar-Puntriano, Glaw & Köhler, 2023 |
Abstract
We studied the taxonomic status of a population of Pristimantis from the southern Cordillera Azul, Departamento Huánuco, central Peru. A phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene revealed that it represents a lineage within the Pristimantis lacrimosus species group, being the closest relative of a species of uncertain taxonomic status from a lowland rainforest in central Peru (Panguana), and P. pulchridormientes from the Tingo Maria National Park. However, the focal lineage is divergent from all nominal species in the P. lacrimosus group for which respective data are available by >7.9% uncorrected pairwise distance in the 16S rRNA gene fragment. An integrative taxonomic approach, including morphological and bioacoustic analyses, provided multiple lines of evidence for the focal specimens belonging to an unnamed evolutionary lineage at the species level that we describe and name herein. The systematics of Peruvian populations associated with the P. lacrimosus group are discussed, particularly highlighting problematic taxa with uncertain taxonomic status and unknown relationships. We point to scientific challenges and actions needed to achieve a better taxonomic resolution of this species-rich clade of frogs.
Keywords: Amphibia, bioacoustics, integrative taxonomy, molecular genetics, morphology, systematics
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| Living male holotype of Pristimantis loeslein sp. nov. (MUSM 40302, FGZC 6257) from Abra La Divisoria, Cordillera Azul, Departamento Huánuco, Peru, 1650 m a.s.l., in (a) dorsolateral, (b) frontal, and (c) ventral views (SVL 21.0 mm). |
Pristimantis loeslein sp. nov.
Definition: A species assigned to the genus Pristimantis and in particular to the P. lacrimosus species group based on molecular phylogenetic relationships and overall morphological similarities. Pristimantis loeslein sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of characters: (1) Skin on dorsum smooth; skin on flanks with small scattered low subconical tubercles; skin of venter coarsely areolate; discoidal fold present, weakly defined; dorsolateral folds absent; (2) tympanic membrane and tympanic annulus present, round, its length about 2/5 of eye diameter; its upper edge slightly concealed by inconspicuous supratympanic fold; (3) snout acuminate in dorsal view, slightly rounded to almost truncate in profile, lacking distinct rostral papilla; (4) interorbital region flat, broader than upper eyelid; upper eyelid with 1–3 distinct small subconical tubercles; cranial crests absent; (5) dentigerous processes of vomers low, widely separated, ....
Etymology: The species is named after the German family Löslein (from Erlangen and Munich) in recognition of supporting taxonomic research and species conservation in Peru through the BIOPAT initiative. The name is treated as a noun in apposition.
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| Topotypic male paratypes of Pristimantis loeslein sp. nov. in life: MUSM 40301 (FGZC 6256) in (a) dorsolateral and (b) ventral views (SVL 20.5 mm); MUSM 40303 (FGZC 6258) in (c) dorsolateral and (d) ventral views (SVL 22.3 mm). |
Ernesto Castillo-Urbina, Miguel Vences, César Aguilar-Puntriano, Frank Glaw and Jörn Köhler. 2023. Contributing to the Taxonomic Inventory of Green-colored Rain Frogs: A New Species of the Pristimantis lacrimosus group (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the southern Cordillera Azul, central Peru. Vertebrate Zoology. 73: 1047-1061. DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e109309
