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| Nymphargus dajomesae Masache-Sarango, Cisneros-Heredia & Ron, 2026 Dajomes Glassfrog | Rana de cristal de Dajomes || DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0345097 |
Abstract
The genus Nymphargus is the most speciose of the family Centrolenidae with 44 species. In this study, we describe a new species of Nymphargus and present an updated phylogeny. The new species is sister to an undescribed species, also from SW Ecuador, and both belong to a clade that includes N. buenaventura, N. cariticommatus, N. griffithsi, N. lasgralarias, N. sucre, and N. wileyi. The new species likely originated during the Pliocene (~4.5 Mya) and is characterized by a uniformly green dorsum lacking spots, shagreened dorsal skin, and white peritonea covering the esophagus and stomach. Our phylogeny provides, for the first time, the phylogenetic position of N. buenaventura. The new species was discovered at Reserva Biológica El Quimi, during expeditions by the QCAZ Museum in 2017 and 2018. Most amphibian species found at that location were undescribed, indicating that some regions of Cordillera del Cóndor host amphibian communities that have remained as “hidden worlds” for biological exploration.
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| Live holotype of Nymphargus dajomesae sp. nov. QCAZ-A 68586. (A) dorsal view, (B) ventral view, (C) Frontal view and (D) lateral view. Photos by BIOWEB-Museo QCAZ-A archive. |
Nymphargus dajomesae sp. nov.
Proposed Spanish common name: Rana de cristal de Dajomes
Proposed English common name: Dajomes Glassfrog
Definition: Nymphargus dajomesae differs from all other Centrolenidae by the following combination of characters: (1) dentigerous process of vomer and vomerine teeth absent; (2) snout truncated in dorsal and lateral views; loreal region slightly concave; (3) tympanic annulus, lower ¾ visible, upper border covered by supratympanic fold; tympanic membrane colored as surrounding skin; (4) dorsal skin shagreen with microspicules; (5) ventral skin granular; pericloacal area granular, enameled; pair of sub-cloacal warts present; (6) parietal peritoneum white, iridophores covering almost entirely (condition P4); peritonea covering heart, esophagus, stomach and kidneys covered by iridophores (V2); all other peritonea clear; (7) liver lobed and hepatic peritoneum clear (condition H0); (8) humeral spines absent in adult males; (9) webbing absent between fingers I and II, basal between fingers II and III; reduced between outer fingers, webbing formula III (3– –21/2) IV; (10) foot webbing formula: ...
Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive case honoring Neisi Dajomes, the first Ecuadorian woman to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020, women’s 76 kg weightlifting). In addition, she has won gold medals at the World and Pan American Weightlifting Championships, and the Pan American, Bolivarian and South American games.
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| Habitat at the type locality, Reserva Biológica El Quimi. (A) Slow-flowing blackwater stream rich in tannins. (B) Surrounding vegetation composed by dense shrubs, bromeliads, and mosses. |
Mylena V. Masache-Sarango, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia and Santiago R. Ron. 2026. A Secret from A Hidden World: A New Glassfrog of the Genus Nymphargus (Anura: Centrolenidae) from Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador. PLoS One. 21(4): e0345097. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0345097 [April 8, 2026]
